World Vision, HIV/AIDS and the OVC Crisis
IIn 2001, World Vision launched the HIV/AIDS Hope Initiative to increase and intensify responses to
HIV/AIDS in all of the nearly 100 countries where World Vision operates. The overall goal of the
Hope Initiative is to reduce the global impact of HIV/AIDS through the enhancement and expansion
of World Vision programs and partnerships focused on HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and advocacy.
The highest priority in World Vision’s global HIV/AIDS response is care for orphans and other
vulnerable children. Rooted in its commitment as a child-focused organization, this priority also reflects
World Vision’s assessment of the most imperative and strategic ways to invest resources in the fight
against HIV/AIDS. Although they are among those most severely affected by HIV/AIDS, OVC are
among the most neglected in global HIV/AIDS programming. This clearly stands at odds with the
calling within most of the world’s faiths to reach out to the vulnerable, and especially to those who
are widowed and orphaned. Moreover, investing in OVC is a critical investment in the future strength
and security of their communities and countries.
In keeping with global best practice, World Vision’s OVC programming strategy focuses on
strengthening family and community care for OVC, primarily through support ofcommunity care
coalitions(CCCs) that bring together churches and other faith-based organisations, government,
local business, and other NGOs. Building on efforts already underway in the community, these
coalitions include home visitors: women and men who volunteer to take responsibility for identifying,
monitoring, assisting, and protecting OVC. CCCs facilitate both co-ordination and expansion of OVC
responses within the community.
World Vision’s roles in facilitating OVC care are to mobilise these coalitions where necessary,
strengthen their technical and general organisational capacities, provide modest amounts of financial
and material support, link them to other sources of support, and advocate for more resources to be
made available for their work.
World Vision has found the CCC strategy for OVC care to be an effective programming model
that merits widespread replication because it:
Builds on local structures and strengths
Can be implemented rapidly through existing channels and partners
Complements other initiatives underway
Helps reduce stigma and discrimination in the community
Provides a developmental channel for delivery and monitoring of multiple resources to
OVC, including financial, material and food aid, as well as other forms of assistance
Enables communities to leverage many more resources to benefit OVC
Is developmentally sound and sustainable
Results in tangible, measurable, meaningful impacts in the lives of OVC and their families
Is adaptable to diverse contexts.
Introduction Guide to Mobilising and Strengthening Community-Led Care for Orphans and Vulnerable Children