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In response to United Nations estimates that more than 20 percent of all children in Botswana will be orphaned by 2010, the HIV/AIDS Twinning Center launched a south-south partnership linking the Marang Childcare Network in Botswana with Tanzania’s Human Development Trust (HDT) in January 2008. The Chicago-based Children’s Place Association replaced HDT in 2010 and is now providing technical assistance to Marang.

Children’s Place experts conducted an initial organizational assessment to help direct partnership activities moving forward and partners have jointly developed a work plan for their year-one activities. Together, they are working to strengthen Marang’s organizational capacity to support its network members in their efforts to deliver high quality, comprehensive care and support services to children living with, or affected by HIV and AIDS in Botswana.

AIHA placed a volunteer at Marang through the Twinning Center's Volunteer Healthcare Corps (VHC) to help build organizational capacity and train staff in preparation for implementation of ongoing fundraising efforts and a small grants program. A Children’s Place partner also travelled to Botswana to provide assistance with grant applications and helped developed a case for support to present to corporations and other major donors. In addition, AIHA has awarded Marang a sub-grant and provided targeted training on grants management and accounting procedures to local staff.

 

Updated November 14, 2011