By Haika Mcharo
300 Orphans and vulnerable children aged 15-25 both boys and girls from Mufindi district Iringa region have been benefited from Rapid Funding Envelope (RFE) project 2007-2009.

The project was being implemented by Environmental, Human Rights Care and gender Organazation (Envirocare) has the goal of empowering Mufindi OVC by giving them vocational training and entrepreneurship skills which help them to increase their income and poverty eradication.

This is because Mufindi is among the most HIV/AIDS affected districts in Iringa region and the country at large. The rate in the district is (14.3%). This rate is higher than the regional rate of 13.4% and it is more than double of the national rate which is 7%. According to the District HIV/AIDS control office there are more than 14513 orphans of which 7500 have been identified to require different needs including Vocational skills.

The number is on the increase and care of the OVCs is left on the hands of extended families, in particular grandparents. Most of the caregivers of the orphans are very old and poor grandparents who themselves need support for their living.

The OVC project focused to develop entrepreneurship skills among the OVC which was implemented in partnership with Mafinga Lutheran Vocational Training Centre and SIDO Iringa.

Envirocare in collaboration with Mafinga Lutheran Vocational Training Center and SIDO-Iringa provide vocational skills in order to ensure sustainability of OVC for income generation.
Among the courses which are provided by partner institutions are; Batik making, soap making, chalk making, food processing, tailoring Carpentry, electrical installation, welding etc.
During the interview, on behalf of OVC Godwin Moses Simba (ovc) sincerely thanked RFE for the support which awakened them. “It is like a dream to us who were not sure if one day we would be able to do such kind of work that we do it now” he said.

Apart from providing technical skills also Envirocare through support of RFE provided equipment to OVC according to their skills for starting their own business.

Through entrepreneurship skills also Envirocare rent business centers for OVC which enable them to start their own business in Mbalamaziwa, Mninga, Mtwango, Mafinga and Ibwanzi.

Mbalamaziwa OVC shows great confidence in producing chalk, batik, soap, carpentry and said communities surrounding their business centre are happy of what they have done.

Mr Mgina community member comments that “We are happy of what our own children have done, we give them support of any means to make sure that their business succeeds for our better life, we thank you RFE and Envirocare for taking this problem of Orphans and Vulnerable children in Mufindi district as your own children God bless you all”

The project is a success due to the organization’s recognition of a close link between human rights, sustainable development and environmental justice. Envirocare takes a holistic approach to poverty reduction and addresses both women and children’s rights and environmental justice