ACE Africa - Child Counsellors - Tanzania
Supporting the work of two Child Counsellors in the Arusha District
Children and communities who are empowered, healthy and self sufficient.
Years: 2019, 2020, 2021
Ace Africa is an award-winning NGO that has worked in Kenya since 2003 and Tanzania since 2008 to improve health, education and economic development, with a focus on improving outcomes for vulnerable children. The organisation works with some of the most remote and marginalised communities in Arusha District Council (DC), Tanzania where children are vulnerable to harmful traditional practices or receive little support to stay in school.
This project will fund two Ace Counsellors to provide vital support to children and their families to protect their rights and improve their health, wellbeing and livelihoods. In Arusha DC, FGM, early marriage and sexual violence are prevalent amongst the Maasai community. It is estimated that over 60% of girls between the age of 0-14 years, have undergone FGM. With increased knowledge and understanding of rights and local protection services, more children and their families will feel confident seeking help and protection from abuse.
Ace Africa counsellors are all highly skilled and experienced with the approved Government of Tanzania HIV and AIDS counselling certificate and/ or is a qualified child welfare and social worker. Through this project, a total of 4,800 children will have a better understanding of their rights through targeted education in primary schools and through community drama performances. With greater awareness, confidence and life skills, children can educate their family members and friends, challenge traditional practices and respond to incidents of abuse in their community.
Through a resource centre, Ace Counsellors will refer children to other service providers and provide one-to-one support to deal with the trauma of experiencing abuse at a young age, enabling them to understand their own health and rights. Ace Counsellors also link vulnerable children to new homes through trained and vetted ‘fit persons’ and liaise with Child Protection Teams and government services, to ensure that all cases are resolved appropriately with the child’s safety and wellbeing at the centre.
ALMT’s support for two Ace Child Welfare Counsellors will form part of Ace’s wider Child Protection, improving access to medical, legal and counselling services for vulnerable children.
