Aids Orphans Skills Centers, Inc
________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
5
Taking into consideration these findings, a bleak future is expected for this generation of
orphans, and for the generations to come. It is imperative to intensify the work with orphans, and
community in a way that would empower them without dismantling their social and cultural
structure. They will learn skills that will provide for their entire life. Those skills can be used at
home when caring for sick relatives or smaller siblings without having to relocate a long distance
away in order to find employment and income.
The Project
The first official project of TIOS (AOSCI) was set up in a small village called
“Macate”, which is located 42 km away from the capital of the province, Chimoio. There
are approximately 128 orphans in Macate according to Acção Social, and their age ranges
from 4 months old to 16 years old (see table below). In most of the cases, it is not
possible to determine the causes of the parents` death due to the lack of appropriate
medical facilities and trained personnel.
Table 1. Distribution of Orphans in the Project by Age and Gender
Age
Gender: Male
Gender: Female
Total
4 months – 5 years
16
20
36
6 years – 10 years
38
11
49
11 years – 16 years
25
18
43
Total
79
49
128
Source Data: Conselho Nacional de Combate ao Sida as of 04/01/2005.
The Resource Center in Macate came as an answer to the orphans´ needs. TIOS
presented an outline of the project, consulted with the community. From their, the idea
evolved into a Center in which the orphans would learn different skills such as sewing,
carpentry, candle and soap making, weaving, embroidery, and crochet. They would also
learn about first aid, water purification, personal safety, health care, and infectious
diseases, including those sexually transmitted.
 |
 |
 |