Faces of Positive Change, which documents programme successes and lessons learned is the companion book to Toolkit for Positive Change: Providing Family-Focused, Results-Driven and Cost-Effective Programming for Orphans and Vulnerable Children. One of the pillars of the Positive Change: Children, Communities and Care (PC3) Program has been the creation of partnerships and fostering a sense of unity within communities to address the needs of orphans and vulnerable children in Ethiopian communities. Bringing about positive change, in creative and sustainable ways, has been a cornerstone of the PC3 Program and partnership has been one of the main mechanisms utilized in this process.
By sharing the positive changes that have occurred in the lives of Ethiopian children, families and communities, the book is intended to be an inspiration to others around the world who are also confronting similar challenges. This book is a celebration of three groups; children, families and communities whose participation in the PC3 program is creating significant changes in the lives of individuals and families across the country. The stories and photos contained in this book are examples of faces of positive change. Children, caregivers, teachers, community leaders, students, celebrities, doctors and others have all shown their commitment to improving the lives of orphans and vulnerable children, and have earned the title “Champions of Change.” The stories and photos within these pages are only a few examples of the thousands of champions that have stepped forward over the past five years to bring lasting positive change to the lives of vulnerable children.
This book is a tribute to all of those involved in the PC3 Program: the international partners who provided guidance, tools and insight; the 35 national organizations that have been mentors and advocates; and the 575 community-based organizations that have been champions of change for children. We hope that in documenting the stories of Ethiopia others will be inspired to bring about positive change in the lives of orphans and vulnerable children around the world.
The definition of family; what it is and what role it plays in the lives of children is dynamic and is clearly demonstrated by the selected stories and photos within this section. Supporting families, both traditional and non-traditional through training in livelihoods, creation of community savings groups, refurbishment of homes and provision of community support groups are ways in which the PC3 Program has supported families to help their own children.
