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ORPHANS AND VULNERABLE CHILDRENS CARE (OVC)
Tiny Tim and Friends provides essential services to children and adolescents living with HIV, as well as to caregivers, orphaned children, and those who have experienced violence or a combination of these factors.
In 2022, approximately 130,000 children age 0-14 years were newly infected with HIV. Findings also showed that over 84,000 AIDS-related deaths were reported among children living with HIV.
In 2022, approximately 130,000 children age 0-14 years were newly infected with HIV. Findings also showed that over 84,000 AIDS-related deaths were reported among children living with HIV.
Tiny Tim and Friends (TTF) recognizes the need to combat the gaps in the management of pediatric HIV. Over the past 20 years, TTF has been building its OVC services to provide remedies for the socio-economic effects that impact children and adolescents living with HIV.
Vulnerability is often driven by factors such as:
Vulnerability is often driven by factors such as:
- Interruption of HIV treatment among breastfeeding women which can expose their infants to HIV
- Sexual violence among adolescent girls
- Food insecurity and household economic constraints
- A high mortality rate among children under the age of five living with HIV, due to malnutrition and related factors
- Poor viral load suppression among children and adolescents
- OVC Services helps lighten the burden on caregivers who struggle to support their children’s health, education, protection, and nutrition.
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Our OVC services cater to the specific issues and needs of children, helping them grow to reach their full potential.
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Services provided through our OVC program include:
- Nutritional support
- Medical examinations and investigations that our clinic doesn’t offer
- Educational support
- Safe home placements
- Transportation
- Essential items for supporting the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, such as birthing packages, safe feeding packages, etc.
- COVID relief
- Home-based care
The children are identified in three ways:
1. VOLUNTEERS IN THE COMMUNITY.
TTF works with a team of volunteers who identify at-risk, potentially positive, children in the community who require immediate medical support and would have otherwise been unknown to TTF. These volunteers are well respected in their communities and provide a vital link between our teams and those needing treatment in hard-to-reach places.
2. THE CLINIC STAFF
TTF staff from our clinical and social teams identify children who require additional essential care or services vital to their well-being.
3. CAREGIVER
Caregivers may request assistance, which is then reviewed. If an intervention by TTF is deemed necessary, OVC services can be provided.
BENEFITS OF OVC SERVICES –REAL-LIFE STORIES
Our OVC services have been made possible because of support from donors and partners. Services such as unrestricted time in hospice give children living with HIV relief from pain and other symptoms. We work to ensure that all children fully recover from opportunistic illness and are well enough to go home.
Gladys, a 14-year-old orphaned girl, had been struggling with medication adherence despite receiving counseling.
After receiving enhanced adherence counseling, Gladys was provided with a phone to improve communication with her treatment supporter, Eliza. Additionally, a pill pack containing two weeks' worth of medication was given to her, making it easier to access and take her medication consistently.
With Eliza's support and TTF's support, Gladys is now virally suppressed and healthy. She continues to use her phone to communicate with TTF counselors.
After receiving enhanced adherence counseling, Gladys was provided with a phone to improve communication with her treatment supporter, Eliza. Additionally, a pill pack containing two weeks' worth of medication was given to her, making it easier to access and take her medication consistently.
With Eliza's support and TTF's support, Gladys is now virally suppressed and healthy. She continues to use her phone to communicate with TTF counselors.