PROGRAMMES – ACFO

Programs

Programs and Services of ACFO

Inclusive Quality Education

ACFO developed a sustainable measure for promoting Quality Peace Education (QPE) projects that restores hope for purposeful living, dreams for development and great achievements, ambition for bright future. We work with national and state governments to improve access to education and develop programs where children can improve their literacy and acquire skills at an early age and to shape their mindsets and prepare them for opportunities for real long-lasting change in families and communities in South Sudan through establishment of education facilities, ranging from Early child education development, pre-primary school, secondary school and vocational training centers in areas of higher demand.

We provide practical life skills programs and ensure that the learning facilities are well equipped with learning materials, venue for classrooms and accommodations (Dometries), conference hall for trainings, workshops and seminars in areas of Nonviolence and Conflict transformation (NCT); We train children in nonviolence communication skills, inner peace, peace with the environment. The facility has a large playing ground for interaction and social skills development to produce peace loving citizens in South Sudan.

Based on the UN declaration on children rights in 1959; the child shall be entitled from birth to a name and nationality. The child shall enjoy the benefit of social security. He or she shall be entitled to grow and develop in health to his end, special care and protection shall be provided both to him and his mother. Therefore, based on the above principles, ACFO is promoting children rights through helping kids break the cycle of poverty involves much more than providing access to health services and educational resources. It entails working toward the holistic well-being of every child and youth in our care. Moreover, that means keeping them safe.

ACFO promotes peace education clubs in schools through formation of peace clubs, debating clubs, rotary, nonviolence communication clubs and conflict mediator. ACFO ensures those programs runs in every school in South Sudan to install reconciliation spirit and togetherness among students and pupils. Special support to pupils/students: ACFO provides psychosocial support services to the learners as part of social welfare services. We provide scholastic materials washing detergence as necessity to learners to motivate them and eliminate trauma factors that divert their focus from class.

ACFO CHILD PROTECTION PROGRAM

AFCO work hand in hand with Parents Teachers Association (PTA), Teachers Union, ministry of general education and instructions to develop policies that protects children’s rights to acquire quality education, and to inclusively engage in decision-making process that shapes the society.

We train children, staff and volunteers on how to identify and prevent child abuse. We give children the opportunity to participate in programs that educate them on their rights, personal-safety techniques and steps they can take in case of a problem.

Incorporating child protection information into other children initiation (CI) programs; in this way, ACFO reach a broader audience and reemphasize the importance of protecting children. By allowing all children and teens the opportunity to participate in programs regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity or religion.

Reporting incidents procedures

for all reported child-abuse incidents, CI requires that the child’s best interest be the first priority. In addition, all incidents must be dealt with promptly, and they must be handled in a confidential manner that does not harm the victim or the person reporting the abuse.

Communications Procedures

Telling the truth of the story. This means ACFO do not and will never encourage parents to use manipulated or sensationalized texts, images of inappropriately clothed children, and certainly employing discriminatory or degrading language. Not publicly disclosing a child’s last name, personal address or other information that could be used to locate a child within a country. Not publishing health information, unless the family or individual has given us written consent.

Case Investigation procedures

ACFO is legally obligated to investigate every report received, regardless of the claim’s veracity or how unlikely it might seem, notes We Have Kids. While there may be occasional exceptions, where it’s deemed the report isn’t highlighting a case of neglect or abuse, most investigations are initiated within 24 to 72 hours. During the investigation, agents may attempt to prove or disprove the allegations and question relevant parties thoroughly. This may involve speaking to the child independently, which often happens first to circumvent the possibility of a carer forcing the child to lie or withhold information. It is important to note that agents see an investigation through to completion, even if reports seem unrealistic or if the child claims that there has been no neglect or abuse.

Special support to pupils/ students

ACFO provides psychosocial support services to the learners as part of social welfare services. We provide scholastic materials washing detergence as necessity to learners to motivate them and eliminate trauma factors that divert their focus from class.

SPECIAL SUPPORT TO GIRLS

ACFO also supports girls in pivot period with reusable sanitary pads and washing soaps to ensure that they are clean, smart and do not miss class and do not feel stigmatized during menstrual circle. We put the interest of girls a priority at the center of all programs in schools and ensure their needs and performances are maintained at required standards.

GIRL CHILD EDUCATION

ACFO ensure every girl has the right to a safe, formal education and access to lifelong learning. However, due to a combination of factors, many girls are force to leave school while others never have the opportunity to go in the first place. School is a space in which girls exercise their rights, make their voice heard, and access their first leadership opportunities.

Being out of school does not just have devastating consequences for girls’ life opportunities – it places them at risk of teenage pregnancy, forced or early child marriage, female genital mutilation and other forms of gender-based violence. Education is critical in tackling harmful gender norms, and empowering girls to drive change. It gives girls the skills to become leaders, innovators and decision makers to tackle future crises.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PROGRAM

The heavy dependence on firewood and charcoal is estimated to contribute to an annual deforestation rate of between 1.5 – 2.0 % annually. Even the climate change in the country has exacerbate access to safe water, lead to poor sanitation and food insecurity. The “flourishing agriculture sector, which depends on the viability of land and water resources, is crucial to long-term peace and development.

ACFO’s approach is that “disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation measures need to be implemented to build a climate resilient society”. These are done through conducting climate change sensitization, planting trees, environmental campaigns against throwing of rubbish around human settlement, and pollution of environment by placing warning posters in hot spot areas, garbage collection points, and advocate for dumping sites.

Provide examples of how these programs and services have made a positive impact

It has greatly increased on food commodity in the production point hence has reduced hunger rate among employed community members, orphans, pupils and students in schools since the food items are distributed to schools for consumption.

The program has created employment opportunities to local communities working in the sectors

The program has created peace clubs; hygiene education, games and sports, Music Drama and Dance (MDD), and Debating Club, Youth recreational center for social skills development.

It has also motivated young girls to concentrate on studies through distribution of washing detergence to both boys and girls, and reusable sanitary pads especially for pivoted girls.

The program has created a ground for social skills development among leaners, and employers.

It has created good relationships between the organization and stakeholders through collective decision making in the project implementation.

Discuss any challenges ACFO faces in delivering these programs and services

Since Central Equatoria falls within the tropic Equatorial rain forest, ACFO normally faces a lot of challenges during heavy rains between the months of June – October, this disrupts the normal program schedule as well as movement of Staff, beneficiaries and other stakeholders who would like to participate in the project.

Due to climatic changes, other production activities normally incur poor harvest, this is coupled with attack from pest and diseases. Currently other States are still experiencing violence, that is farmers – pastoralist conflict, this continues to interfere with the participation of targeted project beneficiaries because they are threatened, displaced, and thus social amenities are destroyed, therefore, the economic activities brought to stand still.

Delaying access to local government officials and constitutional post holders to plan and structure project activities; this in most cases affects the project implementation schedule. Sometimes there will be larger turn up of interested participants during project activities implementation which normally affects the already approved budge lines.

Economically, South Sudan is facing price inflation with uncertainty about fixed market prices of basic consumer goods. If this condition persists, will affect the expenditure against approved budget.