The OVC Mbarara Sustainable Program (OVC-SP) is a community-based organization that supports orphans, vulnerable children, and children with disabilities in families because every child deserves to be loved, safe, and have dignity.
An OVC Mbarara social worker leading group counseling with children at their school
Making an impact in our community and beyond
For almost 30 years, our program has worked with families and children from rural areas of Mbarara Archdiocese and beyond. We focus on the child, with the family at heart, committed to keeping families together by preventing family separation in the first place.
OVC Mbarara is currently supporting:
Our program is currently helping 20 orphans and vulnerable children.
In addition, we're also supporting 150 children with disabilities and special needs to acquire quality education, necessary health services, and livelihood capacity to live fulfilling lives.
Note: Our model emphasizes support towards family-based care. This will reduce the community dependency on institutionalization so that we can help and impact more children from within their families.
How we're empowering children
We empower children with positive attitudes and a positive self-concept.
Through counseling and facilitation of practical skills, children can appreciate themselves better and, in turn, be appreciated within the community.
Improving self-esteem also increases opportunities for children to share balanced life as they dream bigger than before, reaching their goals and aspirations; socially, intellectually, economically, and spiritually.
For children with disabilities, we also ensure access to disability services and improve a child's environment at home and school to accommodate their needs and abilities (constructing ramps and providing adaptive equipment when needed).
Our Story
The OVC Mbarara Sustainable Program was started in 1994 by Sr. Lilian Baitwakakye (Administrator) and Sr. Leonidas Tieikwendera (Superior General of the Institute), following a severe spread of HIV/AIDS to reduce the death and poverty rate of HIV/AIDS-affected and infected children.
Gradually, our program expanded to include children with disabilities whose needs often seemed left behind in the community. Our program is still child-centered but emphasizes empowering families to prevent unnecessary family separation of children with special needs.
Currently, we aim to support children in attaining a decent education, empowering them to compete in the career world and build life skills for self-reliance. We also believe children thrive in healthy families, so we provide them with counseling and support to strengthen them psychologically, both individually and socially.
The Problem
OVC-SP was started in response to the severe spread of HIV/AIDS to reduce the death and poverty rate of HIV/AIDS-affected and infected children.
Our program also includes providing services to children with disabilities whose needs often seem left behind in the community due to societal taboos and stigmas toward disability.
The Solution
We provide many services to the community, excelling in community psychosocial support, education support, crisis management, and family economic empowerment for both children and their families.
Since the program's start, we've supported over 1,000 children to become healthy, happy, and responsible citizens and some continue to support their families and community members with their earnings.
OVC-SP Founders
Pictures are the two founders of the OVC Mbarara Program: Sister Mary Lilian Baitwakakye (left side, holding a bag) and Sr. Leonidas Tirikwendera (right).
Vision
To create a society where all orphans, vulnerable children, and children with special needs live to their full potential within loving families, knowing their rights and fulfilling their aspirations.
Mission
To empower vulnerable children, orphans, children with disabilities, and their caretakers through capacity-building and holistic support to thrive living fulfilling, meaningful lives.
We also want to prevent family separation by sustaining and empowering families economically, improving home environments to accommodate special needs, and giving caretakers skills to better care for their children.
The Solution
To safeguard the lives of children, restore their dignity, and inclusion into society, especially the orphans, vulnerable children with disabilities. While providing the following:
- Access to quality education and adaptive equipment
- Access to suitable health and disability services
- Strengthening the economic capacity of families
- Counseling, psychological, and psychosocial support to children and families
- Community education on disabilities and the importance of family-based care
Providing community education on child protection and income-generation for families
Caretakers training on income-generating projects
Children and the director after an OVC Mbarara workshop
Children singing beautifully together after an OVC Mbarara workshop. Their smiles say it all!
How we impact children and families
For 28-years, we've impacted the children and families in our community in these ways:
OVC Program Alumni Graduates
We've supported hundreds of employable graduates by facilitating school fees for them as children. Many of our graduates are paying it forward by looking after other needy people in the community.
Self-reliance for Beneficiaries
Most of the beneficiaries of our program went on to acquire vocational skills and are now sustaining themselves. In addition, families have improved in income skills, i.e., growing coffee and starting small farming projects.
Attaining Competitive Positions
Some of our beneficiaries found work in high-ranking positions within our country (political, civil, religious, and others) and are making a positive difference in society.
Shifting Mindsets
Families have adopted healthy perspectives (working in faith instead of apathy or helplessness). We're gradually shifting community and individual attitudes positively towards accepting help and support to engage in strong networking, cooperation, and collaborations.
Keeping Children Safe
Our trained social workers know when strong gatekeeping is necessary for families to keep children safe. We use vigilance to protect children at home while advocating for the rights of vulnerable children with disabilities and orphans.
Our Team
The Program Leadership
Sr. Lilian Baitwakakye
Administrator
Mary Patricia Kukundakwe
Social worker Counselor
Jacqueline Kembabazi
Accountant
Abel Katwesigye
Driver
The Institute Leadership
The current leadership team of the Institute. (the Superior General is in the middle and the rest work with her within the Institute)
Sr. Dinavence Kyarimpa
Sr. Rosemary Ntegamahe
Sr. Romina B. Nyemera
Superior General
Sr. Margaret Magoba
Sr. Jane Yatuha
Organizational Structure for OVC Mbarara
Our program is guided by the charism of The Sisters of Our Lady of Good Counsel. OVC Mbarara serves in obedience to the father, giving love and support to our neighbors and those in need.
