Household Economic Strengthening

Poverty is a leading cause of child separation. Families may be torn apart by the stresses of trying to provide for their basic needs, and children may be abandoned or exploited for financial purposes. Household economic strengthening aims to reduce a family’s vulnerability to poverty, increase economic independence, and improve people’s ability to provide for their children.

Economic strengthening alone will not prevent separation or protect children, and should form part of a comprehensive support package, including psychosocial work, community mobilisation, education, health, and family support. Household economic strengthening should also complement the wider government social assistance programmes, welfare sector initiatives, and child care policies. Beneficiaries should include those families which are destitute, poor, or vulnerable to poverty, including child headed households.

Economic empowerment is not possible without the active participation of the community in ensuring that those most in need are identified and that families are willing to commit to projects. Any initiative must have sustainability at its core; there must be a market demand for products and services, and activities should build on the existing strengths and resources of the community.

Household economic strengthening includes activities which help a family restore, improve and maintain their income, and build savings and assets. Projects may consist of relief assistance, grants and loans for income generating activities, technical and skills training, registered credit and savings associations, and legal advice on inheritance and property rights. Ideally such guidance and resources should come from specialised local organisations that can facilitate market research, identify those in need and the type of assistance required, and provide sustainable long-term support to beneficiaries.

The literature contained in this section offers recommendations and examples of household economic strengthening projects which support the protection of children.

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Evaluating the Impact of Conditional Cash Transfer Programs

Laura B. Rawlings and Gloria M. Rubio , 2005

This paper examines the short-term impact of conditional cash transfer programs in comparison to traditional social assistance programs. Programs in Colombia, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua and Turkey are highlighted.

Forward-Looking Review: World Vision's Approaches to Integrating Microenterprise Development and HIV/AIDS Response

Jill Donahue, 2005

A report on several pilot projects launched by the World Vision and affiliated microfinance institutions to address the association between poverty and HIV. A description of pilot projects in Zimbabwe, Uganda, South Africa and Malawi are discussed.

Orphans and Discrimination in Mozambique: An Outlay Equivalence Analysis

Virgulino Nhate, Channing Arndt, Mikkel Barslund and Katleen Van den Broeck, 2005

This paper examines childcare policy in Mozambique. It finds that vulnerability increases when orphans are placed in resource-poor kinship care arrangements.

Breaking the Poverty Cycle: A Case Study of Cash Interventions in Ethiopia

Lesley Adams and Emebet Kebede, 2005

This paper examines the role, process and impact of cash transfer interventions in Ethiopia using several case studies. Challenges and recommendations for future cash interventions are discussed in-depth.

The Lost Ones: Emergency Care and Family Tracing for Children from Birth to Five Years

Marie de la Soudière, Jan Williamson, and Jacqueline Botte, 2005

Guidelines for the care of young children separated from their families in emergencies. Includes detailed information on prevention of separation, child registration and documentation, and family reunification.

Economic Strengthening / Livelihood Tools and Literature Review

Hugh Allen, 2005

Summary and analysis of the status of the literature and reviews on economic strengthening and livelihood tools. Contains recommendations of best practices and guidelines on which tools work.

I Can Save: A Savings Program for Children in Primary School

Victoria Gonzalez-Rubio, 2005

This document highlights a children’s saving program in the state of Missouri, USA. The five-year initiative focuses on increasing financial knowledge and self-efficacy, as well as saving accounts, among children and parents. The end goal is to increase student engagement in post-secondary education and training.

Support for Families in Difficulty as a Means of Prevention of the Child's Separation from the Family of Origin

International Social Service and International Reference Centre for the Rights of Children Deprived of their Family (ISS/IRC), 2005

Brief summary of the importance of social work in preventing family separation, including increasing empowerment, social support and self-assessment processes.

Making Cash Count: Lessons from Cash Transfer Schemes in East and Southern Africa

Stephen Devereux, Jenni Marshall, Jane MacAskill, and Larissa Pelham, 2005

This paper is a comprehensive examination of cash transfers in Africa and their impact on children. Case studies from Ethiopia, Zambia, Mozambique and Lesotho are discussed.

Violence Against Children Affected by HIV/AIDS: A Case Study of Uganda

World Vision, 2005

Report documenting participatory research conducted on violence against children affected by HIV/AIDS in Uganda. Particular focus on the stigmatisation and discrimination.