Chindwin Home Based Care-SLA’s 2013 Strategy

Dear Friends, Chindwin Home Based Care SLA and all our wonderful and passionate supporters; including the tireless women and children we work with, I’d like to thank you for a successful 2012. We have recorded real changes in the lives of many families. Young children were able to go to school and sit in a secured, healthy learning environment than before, while women groups have become organized and share knowledge on sustainable income generating activities. Our focus on young adolescent girls has not been left out, as we are very aware that young girls are exclusively left out in HIV and AIDS programmes. We have championed a programme to use sports, and training workshops as drivers of change against gender based violence on young girls. We also developed safe spaces for most of our young girls to access valuable information such that can for the most part help protect them from HIV and AIDS. We have done very well on building the self esteem of the girls so that they can stand firm and not be abused. We have also taught them how to tell their stories of change so that other peers, can emulate and follow them. OUR Future for 2013 looks positive and promising. we have set out a robust but achievable plan for 2013 to focus on five pillars: Pillar# 1: Continue to help improve the lives of rural women’s livelihoods through communal sustainable farms. We want them to grow food that requires less labor and low-cost farm inputs, but yield promising results so that in return families can feed and send children to school Pillar# 2: Continue scaling up our work to promote young children’s access to basic education with a strong emphasis on young girls. We know that children’s early education and strong family support is a attestation for responsibility and commitment to long lasting development for our nation. Pillar# 3: Women continue to be the bedrock of Chindwin Home Based Care’s programme. We’ll aim to register additional women groups and support them with small innovative micro enterprise grants to help them begin or improve their livelihoods so that in return, they are able to continue doing what they do best-caring for the family! Pillar # 4: We do not want to be like other small emerging grassroots organizations that work in silos. We want to share, learn and expand our successes through a collaborative approach and document stories of change that can be adapted by other communities. Pillar# 5: Lastly, and very important; we intend to grow and reflect on our own internal processes. We’ll aim to build and strengthen our monitoring systems, remain vigilant, accountable and transparent. In 2013, we want to recognize talent among ourselves and re-position our duties by setting up clear job descriptions and roles and responsibilities, or what we now call “form-follows-functions”. We’ll also look for additional skills; and have planned for a new staff member within the first 6 months of the year. On January 30th 2013, our annual report for [2012] will be ready and as in the past, we'll share the document for your valuable feeback. Thank you and many Blessings HAPPY 2013 Mary Kombe Mukuka Director