Jali Watoto Initiative and Anti-Stigma Campaign

Name: Jali Watoto Initiative and Anti-Stigma Campaign
Duration: January 2006 - January 2009
Donor: USAID

Jali Watoto, which means "Care for Children" in Kiswahili, the national language of Tanzania, supports implementation of the government of Tanzania's National Plan of Action on Most Vulnerable Children. This plan consists of establishing Most Vulnerable Children's Committees (MVCCs) at district, ward and village levels in 22 of the 123 districts in mainland Tanzania. The committees identify the most vulnerable children in their area and coordinate responses, particularly, the provision of essential services by NGOs, faith-based organizations and community-based organizations. In addition Pact is conducting master trainer courses on anti-stigma for its local partners, who then roll out the training to MVC members, health-care and educational personnel, and others with authority and standing to challenge stigma related to children. Anti-stigma is also being addressed through public campaigns targeting young people and children with messages around the negative impact of stigma on orphans and vulnerable children.

Pact provides grants to civil society organizations and government bodies through a rapid grants program. The grantees use a child- and community-centered service delivery approach. In addition grantees receive training and mentoring from Pact to increase their capacity in financial management, monitoring and evaluation, resource mobilization, fund raising, care taking and team building. Pact has teamed with the AIDS Alliance to develop toolkits to help communities deal with stigma faced by youth and children. Pact also provides resources to youth groups to train trainers and address issues relating to the stigmatizations faced by vulnerable children and those infected and affected by HIV and AIDS.

Emerging results

• Jali Watoto contributed to development of national service standards and the national Most Vulnerable Children Operational Plan.
• 38 faith-based organizations and NGO partners have received capacity building services and subgrants to provide services to more than 22,500 vulnerable children.
• As part of the anti-stigma campaign, more than 2000 people, primarily youth, have been trained in anti-stigma social interventions, mostly peer education, and are providing this training in schools and clubs around the country.
• Pact is building the capacity of the Department of Social Welfare to implement the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and Global Fund OVC programs through grants, training and seconded staff.
• The AIDS Alliance, in conjunction with Jali Watoto, finalized two new modules of the toolkit, Understanding and Challenging HIV stigma: Toolkit for Action. Module I, Children and Stigma and Module J:  Young People and Stigma. The modules were jointly developed by the International HIV/AIDS Alliance and Pact Tanzania with participation of the Kimara Peer Educators, PASADA, and the Jane Goodall Institute's Roots and Shoots Program.   What makes these materials so effective is that they were developed by children and youth infected and affected by HIV and AIDS.  Their stories come through in these materials. The modules are available at the Pact Tanzania website (www.pacttz.org).

Partners

Government of Tanzania
ACT-Diocese of Mara AIDS ABC Programme
Action for Development Programme Mbozi (ADP)
American International Health Alliance
Aga Khan Foundation
Bakwata National HIV/AIDS Program
CARITAS
CCBRT
Christian Council of Tanzania (CCT) Mbozi
Community Care Trust
Community Initiative Support Organisation (CISO)
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania Karagwe Diocese ?Aids Control Programme -
Evangelical Lutheren Church of Tanzania North Western Diocese (ELCT)
Huduma ya Watoto Program (HUYAWA)
HUYAWA ELCT
Igogwe Mission Hospital
Jane Goodall Institute (Roots and Shoots Program)
Jikomboe Integral Development Association (JIDA)
Kagera Development and Credit Revolving Fund (KADETFU)
Karagwe District Council-for Karagwe Youth Development Network (KAYODEN)
Karagwe District Education Fund (KDEF/WOMEDA)
Kihumbe Mbeya City
MAPEC
Network of Children, Youth and Women infected/affected by AIDS (CHIYOWONET)
Rulenge Diocesan Development Office (RUDDO)
Rural Aid Organization
SACHITA
Saidia Wazee Tanzania (SAWATA)
Shangwe Counseling Centre
St. John Hus Moravian Centre
Tabora NGO cluster (TANGOC)
Tukolene Youth Development Center (TYDC)
USACA
Youth Advisory and Development Council (YADEC)
Youth Advisory and Development Council (YADEC)
Zanzibar NGO Cluster (ZANGOC)

Staff contacts

	Jane Calder OVC Program Manager, Dar es Salaam jane@pacttz.org
	John Bernon Program Officer, Washington DC jbernon@pacthq.org