INTRODUCTION
OKOA child link is a community based organization based in vihiga county and working to empower children and families to realize their full potential in the society. OKOA has been in touch with children and families for about 3 years, the organization has made tremendous steps in child care, empowerment and rescue. All this progress has been attributed to the support of well – wishers, friends and partners
To date, OKOA has 24 active cases that are empowered mentally, physically and socially. Their families too receive economic empowerment projects that are strategic to earn income for sustaining families so that they reduce over dependence. Among the children, 17 are in primary school and 7 are in high school.
OKOA is optimistic that the projects proposed for 2023 will benefit children, families and other stakeholders in the community both directly and indirectly.
Goals- Strengthening the socio- economic fabric in the community.
- Improved academic performance and accessibility to quality education.
- Improved service delivery by OKOA
- Implementation of economic strengthening programs
- Sensitization on health/ sanitization basics.
- Training of families on modern farming skills.
- Monthly visits to check on child status index (CSI)
- Creating tuition programs and acquire revision materials
Toiletries
Toiletries include distribution of sanitary pads, soap, colligate and other personal effects to OKOA children on a monthly basis. In 2023, it will cost OKOA about USD$1612.8 to implement the plan that has been in existence for three years. On average, a boy will need USD$ 4.0 and a girl USD$5.76 a month which cumulates to USD$ 134.4 total in a month starting from January.
Some of the OKOA kids receiving the toiletries in our monthly meetings in 2022.
Benefits of the Program- OKOA kids have improved in physical appearance and health.
- There has been reduced cases of infectious diseases among OKOA children.
- Parents have been able to channel their little resources to other needs.
Stationery and Levies.
School stationeries are the most common reasons that led to school drop out for children who couldn’t afford. OKOA came up with the idea of supporting such instrumental necessities to help provide for children who couldn’t afford them an opportunity to continue learning. This include geometrical sets, rulers, erasers, pens, writing books etc. The stationeries help them also during national exams. .
On estimate, OKOA will need $200 to acquire the different stationeries needed in 2023. Levies are monies paid in school to help parents with the burden of school fees. This payment has enabled about 7 OKOA children to complete primary education and join secondary school. OKOA has 17 primary children thus totaling to 24 cases. In 2023, terms start from January – March, May- July and September – November which totals to three terms.
For the secondary students, OKOA will need about USD$ 1890 to keep 7 students in school and about USD$ 510 for primary school children. In total, this project will need USD$ 2600 to keep OKOA children in school and sustain a conducive learning environment for them.
Some of the OKOA children in school.
Benefits of the Program- Maintains OKOA children in school.
- Improves classwork performance.
- Reduced cases of school dropout.
Goat farming.
Meet Techlar from Kakamega county, She is a nurse and serves as a chaplain for OKOA. Techlar provides hygienic counseling and attends to most health related issues that arise with OKOA childrenGoat farming is one of the project OKOA has identified that is simple and less expensive to implement. With this project, families will be empowered by a female goat to take care and over time after the goat gives birth, the young ones are collected to empower new children that will be introduced into the program in 2024. Goat’s feeds are found locally at no cost and thus the only need would be to train families and empower them with the goat. On estimate a goat would cost USD$100, therefore to implement this project it would cost OKOA USD$ 2550 to implement this economic strengthening project.
Benefits of the Program- Improved farm produce.
- Less expensive and more profitable.
- Easy to cover many families over a period of time.
- The project can last for a lifetime once started.
- Generates income on products.
Office equipment.
OKOA is glad to have a complete office done in 2022, there has been activities taking place at the office since it’s completion but inadequate equipment has hindered some of the operations. It’s with this regard that we feel if supported to acquire the equipment then our service delivery would effective. The equipment covers tables, chairs, printing machine, training materials etc. on estimate the project would cost USD$ 1325.
Benefits of the Program- Improved service delivery.
- Ability to hold trainings, seminars and workshops without hiring equipment.
- Safe record keeping ability.
Jerald’s children school care
This is a program that aims at supporting Jerald’s children in school. The Board having looked at the need that has been accosted by two of them Shekinah and Faith joining high school late 2022 and early 2023 respectively, they unanimously agreed to allow them benefit from OKOA support. This was reached at so as to enable Jerald concentrate on OKOA activities.
Welcome!! OKOA CHILD LINK!
Welcome
