It is evident that there is no better alternative for the normal growth and development of children than the family environment. However, Children are denied of this fundamental setting due to loss and separation of parents, abandonment, rejection, family breakdown, etc.

The number and the magnitude of the problems of OVC have been alarmingly escalating while intervention programs to address their problems are very limited in scope and coverage of target groups. On top of this, poor coordination, lack of mutual support, limited experience-sharing practices, duplication of efforts, etc are highly reflected in the day-to-day activities of these organizations. These called for networking among organizations, though it had been new experience in the country.

In light of this, JeCCDO together with few other organizations brought the idea of network to the attention of child-oriented organizations so that they could unite, coordinate and cooperate. With this effect, a network of organizations (government and non-government) working in support of orphans and vulnerable children was established towards the end of 1998 with few members from government, non-government and international child oriented organizations. JeCCDO was one of the founders of the network. At present the network has 28 member organizations: 7 government, 16 non-government, 3 international child focused and 2 faith based organizations. Moreover, the same effort was replicated in all project areas of JeCCDO: namely, Bahir Dar, Debre Berhan, Debre Zeit and Dire Dawa. Forty-six child-oriented organizations are included in these networks of organizations working in support of disadvantaged children at Bahir Dar, Debre Berhan, Debre Zeit and Dire Dawa. List of all the national and regional network members is attached here.

Membership

All organizations both national or international, funding or implementing that are dealing with the issue of orphans and vulnerable children or who run programs that support orphans can at request be members of the network.

Major objectives of the networks
» To pool resources to bring about meaningful impact on program implementation;
» To share experiences with and among various organizations so as to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of services /programs provided to disadvantaged children as well as to promote viable alternative child support programs;
» To play an advocacy role for a favorable policy environment for children and work towards ensuring the rights of children; and
» To network with national and international organizations which are working for the causes of children.

Major Achievements of the OVC Network
» Undertook, at national level, a number of local experience- sharing visits to child-oriented organizations to gain best practices. It has been confirmed that such programs have helped to qualitatively improve the services/ programs of member organizations as well as promoted the knowledge and exposure of participants in the area of child welfare development work.
» Equipped member organizations with information/knowledge on relevant national and international child focused policies, guidelines and conventions through training /workshops.
» Promoted the knowledge and experience on viable alternative child support programs (foster care, adoption, community based child care, reintegration, etc) for orphans and vulnerable children.
» Facilitated the exchange of information and communication to enable members to better address the needs of disadvantaged children.
» Promoted sense of ownership among member organizations by fostering common visions, commitments, trust and equal partnership.
» Actively involved in studies and researches in the area of orphans and vulnerable children.
» Developed, at national level, a simple manual on services /program for AIDS orphans to be used by organizations supporting AIDS orphans.
» Conducted (at national level) an assessment on ex-institutionalized children by taking four childcare institutions who had reunified / reintegrated several children.

Major Problems Encountered
o Shortage of external experience regarding networks
o Shortage of dependable fund to sustain various programs
o Turnover of some representatives of member organizations

Future plans of the Networks are to
» Strengthen training programs on pertinent child focused and related issues.
» Promote de-institutionalization programs with the aim of initiating alternative childcare schemes.
» Initiate and diversify both local and external resource bases by focusing on local fund raising programs.
» Influence policies and national/regional programs in favor of children by strengthening networking.
» Cooperatively conduct assessments on the implementation of the convention of the rights of children
» Establish a resource center that will be serving all networks at national and regional levels
» Conduct a comprehensive study on will and property rights of HIV/AIDS orphans
» Support the establishment and functioning of other networks through the provision of technical assistance.

List of the OVC Networks Members

1. The Orphan and Vulnerable Children National Network in Addis Ababa

1. Abebech Gobena Orphanage and School - NGO
2. Addis Ababa Social and NGO Affairs Office - GO
3. Alem Children Support Organization. - NGO
4. Almaz Children and Family Support Organization. - NGO
5. Children and Youth Fostering and Training Center. – NGO
6. Ethiopian Orthodox Church-Children and Family Affairs Organization - FBO
7. Family Health International - International NGO
8. Hiwot HIV/AIDS Prevention, Care and Support Organization- NGO
9. Hope for Rural Children and Orphans. - NGO
10. Integrated Family Service Organization. - NGO
11. Italian Center for Children’s Aid. - NGO
12. Jerusalem Children and Community Development Organization - NGO
13. Kale Hiwot Children’s Center (Debre Zeit) - FBO
14. Kechene Children’s Home. - GO
15. Kenema Children’s Home. - GO
16. Kibebe Tsehay Children’s Home - GO
17. Mickey Leland Children’s Home - GO
18. Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs - GO
19. Rehabilitation Institute for Juvenile Delinquents. - GO
20. Save the Children UK – International NGO
21. Save the Young Ethiopian Organization -NGO
22. Selame Hiwot Street Children project
23. Sele Enat Association - NGO
24. SOS Enfants Ethiopia - International NGO
25. Terre Des Hommes Lausane - International NGO
26. Wabe Children’s Aid and Training - NGO
27. Atsed Children’s Village – NGO
28. Misoso HIV Victims Children and Youth Support Organization - NGO

2. Bahir Dar

1. Bahir Dar City Council- GO
2. Care Zege- NGO
3. Cheshire Foundation Ethiopia- NGO
4. Ethiopian Orthodox Church-Bahir Dar Children's Home- FBO(faith-based organization)
5. JeCCDO Bahir Dar Projects Coordination Office-NGO
6. Mariestopes- NGO
7. Medhanelem Elderly People and Children's support and training Center- NGO
8. Save the Children UK- NGO??
9. SOS- NGO
10. West Gojjam Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Branch Office- GO
11. West Gojjam Social and Labor Affairs Department- GO

3. Debre Berhan

1. CCF Ethiopia Inc. North Shoa Project Coordination Office- NGO
2. Child Survival Project Debre Berhan- NGO
3. Debre Berhan Addis Kidan Baptist Church- FBO(faith-based organization)
4. Debre Berhan Woreda Capacity Building Branch Office- GO
5. Deviance Providence- NGO
6. JeCCDO- Debre Berhan Projects Coordination Office- NGO
7. Life in Abundance Ethiopia- NGO
8. Mariestopes International Ethiopia- NGO
9. Mekane Yesus Child Development Project - FBO(faith-based organization)
10. North Shoa Zone Rural Development Branch Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Department - GO
11. North Shoa Zone Labor and Social Affairs Branch Office- GO
12. Save Your Generation, Ethiopia- NGO
13. Debre Berhan Woreda Health Office- GO