The Africa KidSAFE – USAID Funded Project

Background: The Africa KidSAFE (Shelter, Advocacy, Food and Education) project was a cooperative agreement funded by the USAID through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the Displaced Children and Orphan’s Fund (DCOF) from 2008 to 2011 in Lusaka and Southern Province. The project was coordinated by Project Concern International and implemented through its partners including Jesus Cares Ministries.  The Africa KidSAFE (AKS) project was designed to provide a comprehensive response involving children, organizations and communities to the unique and often misunderstood challenges that threaten children who spend all or part of their time on the street and those at risk of doing so. The overarching goal of the project was to consolidate and expand a safety net of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and community-based organizations (CBOs) that can effectively meet the immediate and long-term needs of street and at-risk children in Zambia.

Achievement and Impact: The Africa KidSAFE project provide OVC care and support service to 9,678 OVC and economically empowered the household through development of business skills and mentorship, community savings group concept and linkages to business opportunities with the private sector players.