Catholic Relief Services and Maestral International have partnered with other organizations to change the way we care for children around the world. In September 2019, Manga HEART signed a three-year agreement with Catholic Relief Service as one of the local implementing partners for the initiative to implement care reform activities in Nyamira County. This is considered one of the critical projects that will come a long way to support reintegration of children and young adult in residential care and preserve families that are at risk of separation in the county. Manga HEART is privileged to be part of this bold team. A further one year extension of the agreement was signed in 2021 for a  the FY21/22 to September 2022. The project has also attracted other partners like CAFO and Stahili in driving the care reform agenda.

The implementation structures

The CTWWC initiative recognizes the family as the premier institution in promoting best interest of the child. As the implementing partner, Manga HEART is supporting the following three major thematic areas:

a)       Working closely with department of children services and institution to reintegrate children in residential care and support the retention of families at risk of separation.

b)      Working the community owned resource persons use evidence informed positive parenting approaches to support caregivers and children and promote social behavior change around importance of family and community-based care over institutional care.

c)       To strengthen families, adopt available household economic strengthening initiatives as well as enhance collaboration with the national and county government for additional support.

To perform these duties effectively, Manga HEART employed a total of six competent staff, with five on 100% level of effort.

a)       The director, who handles administrative functions in the organization.

b)      The project coordinator in charge of the overall project coordination and implementation

c)       2 Social Workers to support project implementation

d)      Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning officer oversight on project data, knowledge, strategic objectives and information management

e)      Finance officer to provide financial support and ensure adherence to donor requirements and regulation.

Implementation coverage: Mange HEART covers the entire Nyamira County. It has a total of nine charitable children institutions and One Statutory Children Institution and other stakeholders.

Collaborators and stakeholders: Some of the key stakeholders in support for our work include the Department of Children Services and Department of Social Development at sub-county level, local administration officers, religious leaders, men/women/youth leaders at community level, and members of the community, institutions, caregiver, children and young adult.

Key achievements

a)       Manga HEART sensitized on CTWWC initiative and CRS/donor financial regulations and requirements during the onboarding workshop.

b)      Participated in the alternative family care validation and trainer of trainers’ workshop.

c)       LIP staff trained on case management for reintegration package

d)      The LIP has been taken through financial compliance, HOCAI and sub-recipient assessment

e)      The LIP has also enhanced its MEAL systems, procedures and process with an operational database, FRM systems and reporting framework.

f)        The LIP has onboarded 6 CCI staff and supports them implement case management

g)       The number of CCIs has reduced from 9 to 4 with a clear case management process in reintegrating the children

h)      The number of children in the CCIs has reduced from 299 to 101

i)        The LIP has grown from a CBO to an NGO with a wider implementation scope