This case study is a review of U.S. Pathfinder in Kenya’s OVC program model and documents lessons learned. Pathfinder International’s Community Based HIV/AIDS Prevention, Care, and Support Program (COPHIA) focuses on working with community-based organizations (CBOs). Program goals include strengthening the capacity of communities to identify children’s needs and to develop and implement activities focused on HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and support for OVC and persons living with HIV and AIDS (PLHA); and build the capacity of local organizations to manage and implement HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and support services. To accomplish program goals, COPHIA trains CBOs and other community leaders in a number of professional skills, strengthens local networking among relevant stakeholders, and provides CBOs with small grant awards to engage in independent initiatives. Several program challenges and successes are documented. COPHIA HBC and OVC activities ended in August 2006 (health facility renovations continue); however, partnerships with communities remain and the lessons learned from the project will be applied to a new USAID/Emergency Plan-funded program, AIDS, Population, and Health Integrated Assistance (APHIA II).
MEASURE Evaluation conducted research on programs for orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in five unique settings — two in Kenya and three in Tanzania. Case studies were the first phase of MEASURE Evaluation’s targeted evaluations and began the process of information sharing on lessons learned in programming for OVC. Additional evaluation activities under the MEASURE Evaluation targeted evaluation activity included an impact assessment and costing activity for four of the five selected programs.
Case study information-gathering activities included program document review; program site visits, including discussions with local staff, volunteers, beneficiaries, and community members; and observations of program activities. The primary audience for these case studies includes OVC program implementers in Kenya, Tanzania and elsewhere in Africa, as well as relevant policy makers, funding agencies addressing OVC needs, and other local and international stakeholders.
Suggested Citation: Thurman, T.R., Hoffman, A., Chatterji, M., & Brown, L. (2007). A Case Study: Community- based HIV/AIDS Prevention, Care and Support Program. Chapel Hill, NC: MEASURE Evaluation.
