Signs
of Development
2013 was one an unprecedented year for development in
Mufindi, as it seemed as though the signs of development were everywhere. More
homes were built, more homes refurbished, more vehicles were purchased, and
most importantly more families pulled themselves out of extreme poverty than
ever before. In just one year electricity was offered to and installed into
hundreds of homes in the area, a water project for many villages was proposed,
and accepted, and for the first time since Igoda Children’s Village opened in
2007, the number of children enrolled at the Children’s Village went down. This
was due to the fact that more families were on their own feet, and healthy
enough to care for their children again. Extensive follow-up on families in the
first few months of 2014 has shown a great level of success for the children
who have returned to their families.
Graduation
Process
When a child finishes his or her stay at the Children’s
Village, we call this a graduation. It is a carefully calculated process as the
exit can be bittersweet. Children love the Children’s Village, but find great happiness
in returning to their families in the village. For their part, families find
great pride in having their children back with them. Many factors go into the
decision making process for a family and for our organization both when a child
enters the Children’s Village, and when that child is prepared to leave.
Some of the questions asked of families wishing to have
their child back into the village with them include how often that family came
to visit the child while living at the Children’s Village, what type of home
and standard of living have the family created or prepared for the returning
child, and how able is the family to ensure that the child will continue with
good health, and remain in school?
A family wishing to welcome their child home generally comes
to visit the Children’s Village, and is then asked these questions, and more,
followed by a house visit. The family then must acquire a letter from a local
authority stating they are able to care for the child. Most often the child has
already visited the home over night, or for an extended period of time during a
school holiday to help acclimate both sides to the new transitional period.
Once all parties are happy with the situation a graduation party is planned,
and they are one of the more joyous occasions here at the Children’s Village.
While everyone at the Children’s Village says farewell to a loved member of the
center, ultimately the ceremony is a celebration as everyone is glad to see the
development in the community.
Follow
up, and the Future of the Children’s Village
Every feasible measure is taken to follow up on children and
families once they have returned home. Since the process of graduation helps
build the relationship between the child, the family, and the organization,
everyone is interested in what is best for the child, and even if another stay
at the Children’s Village is needed while adjustments are made at the child’s
home, this decision is discussed and reached at a consensus.
In June 2013 the Children’s Village hosted 80 children, and
at the start of March 2014, there are now 48. In recent weeks however, and
influx of infants have been enrolled, all with plans to stay for 2-4 years
while their families prepare to support their schooling. Most infants are
enrolled as a result of the passing of their mother, and families find it hard
to cope with the infant child. All of us foresee a need a for infant care
continuing into the future. Meanwhile, fewer and fewer older children have been
enrolled in the past 6 months, and we again contribute that to the level of
positive development in the community. The availability of HIV treatment has
worked wonders for this area, and we have started to see the results of these
developments in a very tangible and rapid way this year.
While the area begins to recover, the organization’s work
must shift with the need. While great strides need to be taken now to prevent a
regression from all of the hard work that has been done with this community the
past 9 years, it is uplifting to see that there is a great deal of success to
be proud of already!
