Title: LVCT Timisha Capacity Building Model in Kenya: The success story of Better Poverty Eradication Organization

AUTHORS: CATHERINE THEURI 1, M. NDUNGU 2, J. NGANGA1 & P. JECKONIA1.

LVCT1, BPEO2 2

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Project : Capacity building of 12 local implementing partners

Funding: CDC

Capacity Building Organization: LVCT, a Kenyan organization that has built the capacity of over 65 organizations in Kenya, Uganda and Botswana using this same model.

Model Used: TIMISHA Model – focuses on the managerial, financial and technical capacity based on the six pillars of the WHO HSS.

Case Study: Better Poverty Eradication organization

BPEO is a local NGO that aims to raise the living standards of farming communities in Kiambu County, Kenya.

What does BPEO do: Provision of HIV prevention interventions and income generating activities as a poverty reduction measure.

Key Capacity Gap: Haphazard programming due to lack of managerial, financial and technical expertise and financing.

Key strength of the organization: Strong connection and influence in the community and a passion to make a difference.

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Geographical coverage: Kiambu County, Kenya – A farming community.

HIV prevalence of 4.8%, with a large number of migrant workers engaging in concurrent sexual partnerships.

Key problem: Reduced productivity due to number of people infected and affected by HIV– OVCs, ill health raising the poverty rate in the area to 27.2%.

Ability to link HIV prevention (behavioural interventions) to IGAs – linking HIV prevention to poverty eradication.

Already working with several grass root groups.

A good working relationship with Ministry of Health, Education and Agriculture.

Strong IGA acumen – in agriculture.

PREVIOUSLY…

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Managerial:No strategic planNo permanent staff - unskilled volunteers No policies – HRM, Financial, ProcurementMembers of management same as the board of directors.

Technical:No skills for HIV preventionNo written records of work doneNo ability to check quality of HIV interventions

Financial:No budgets or fundingNon-adherence to statutory requirements – tax.

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Mangerial: Clear strategic plan with M&E framework. Clear annual work plans, aligned to strategic plan. 27 skilled staff . Operational HRM, Financial, and Procurement policies Functional Board of Directors that meets quarterly.

Technical: Staff trained in EBIs. Updated database - 20,445 people reached through EBIs 16 operational IGA groups, with a membership of 403 people. Staff trained in quality management.

Financial: US$ 345,085 from 2 funding partners; 100% burn rates. Compliance to taxes.

CURRENTLY…

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Every organization has some strong points. Identify and harness them in the capacity building process.

All organizations are unique – tailor the capacity building plan to suit the individual organization.

A participatory approach where the mentee organization is involved, builds ownership and therefore is sustainable.

Helping organizations align to National systems and structures enables them operate better even beyond the funding period.

Organizations respond well to real life examples in the process of capacity building.

Done by competent, experienced people who carry out similar roles - therefore high quality as it is.

Responds to the specific needs of an organization as identified in the comprehensive assessments.

Comprehensive - addressing the different facets of the organization i.e. organizational as well as technical.

It encourages partnerships and networking with government agencies, health facilities and other CSOs, boosting the national response.

Encourages reporting through the national M&E frameworks, thus - contributing to the country response.

With the new devolved system of government in Kenya, there will be need to have strong local implementing partners in all 47 counties to ensure gains made in the HIV arena are not lost and ensure service delivery coverage.

The Timisha capacity building model has proved ideal to be replicated to achieve this in Kenya and beyond.

Building Partnerships, Building Partnerships, transforming livestransforming lives

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Acknowledgements:The Ministry of Health, CDC , LVCT management, capacity development team & committee.

Contacts:Website: www.lvct.orgEmail: enquiries@lvct.org or ctheuri@lvct.org.

Thank You!Thank You!