GRANTS (Small & Large)

Regional Initiatives - Sub-Saharan Africa Omega Initiative
Implementing Partner: PACT Inc.
Funding Period: September 2001 - September 2006
Amount: $ 8,000,000

Purpose:
To provide funding and technical support for a broad range of rehabilitation services for war disabled civilians in sub-Saharan Africa through large and small sub grants.

Background:
In September 2001, USAID awarded a cooperative agreement to PACT to manage this $8 million initia-tive. PACT is partnered with Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation (VVAF) in this venture. PACT serves as the lead organization, responsible for overall program management and coordination, while VVAF provided technical oversight to the program between March 2002 and June 2005. VVAF is also involved in direct implementation through the Amhara Rehabilitation program in Ethiopia

The key elements of the Omega Initiative include the mandate to award, manage, and support sub grants to local and international organizations in order to support its broader program goal, provide technical assistance to award recipients and other organiza-tions, and develop an informational website: www.omegainitiative.org.
Sub awards are made on a competitive basis.

The Omega Initiative has awarded 6 large grants in countries that have been seriously affected by conflict, and has recently expanded coverage to include Uganda through provision of small grants in Gulu. In total, 28 small grants have been awarded in seven sub0saharan Africa countries, including 10 in Gulu as at October 31, 2005.

Since September 2001, the following sub-awards have been provided through the Omega Initiative.

Ethiopia

  • Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation (VVAF)
    This four-year, $ 2,452,154 sub grant awarded in January 2002. Among its key objectives:
    • Build capacity and strengthen service provision of the Dessie Orthopedic Center.
    • Improve accessibility to rehabilitation services in Bahir Dar.
    • Increase the availability of wheelchairs in the region.
    • Improve access to social and economic oppor-tunities for people with disabilities.
    • Facilitate expansion of networking among organizations of and for people with disabilities.
    • Advocate for 1) greater public awareness of disability issues, 2) improved policy dialogue, and 3) increased opportunities for people living with disabilities.
      Main Achievements in 2004/5
    • Provided rehab services to 195 individuals in Dessie.
    • Training and mentoring of four PT Assistants by VVAF expatriate PT
    • Handover of PT services to the management of Dessie Center.
    • Construction and launch of an orthopedic workshop in Bahir Dar (http://www.vvaf.org/newsroom/2005/04-19-2005.html) (http://www.vvaf.org/newsroom/2005/new-rehabilitation-clinic.html)
    • Completion of a disability baseline survey of 65,358 households in five major towns in the Amhara region. A total of 6,626 PWD were identified, of whom 3,505 (53%) had physical disability.
    • Socio-economic assistance to 447 PWD (includes business start up, school reintegration and employment placement)
  • Cheshire Services Ethiopia (CSE)
    This one year $ 40,896 sub-grant was awarded in September 2004. Among its key objectives:
    • To provide walking appliances for 550 children and youth with disabilities through mobile outreach twice a year
    • To equip mobile workshop with necessary tools and machineries
    • To admitted 30 children with disabilities to Cheshire’s Rehabilitation Center for surgery
    • To organize small orthopedic workshop
      Main Achievements in 2004/5
    • Provided appliances for 965 beneficiaries
    • Provided corrective surgery services for 29 children
    • Equipped and organized one small orthopaedic workshop in Awassa in the southern part of the country
  • Volunteer Services Overseas (VSO) – Ethiopia
    This one year $ 42,605 sub-grant awarded in March 2005. Among its key objectives:
    • To give the students the opportunity to integrate their knowledge and skills into clinical practice in more experienced settings in Ethiopia.
      Main Achievements in 2005
    • 40 PT students placed on clinical practice between February and April 2005.


Democratic Republic of Congo

  • Handicap International/Belgium
    This August 2002 sub grant provided $ 792,024 for three-year project with the following objectives:
    • Strengthen the capacity of the Rehabilitation Center for Handicapped Persons (CRHP) physical therapy department to provide quality treatment and mentoring.
    • Ensure that CRHP orthopedic workshops pro-duce high-quality appliances that respond to the needs of people with disabilities.
    • Assist the walking and mobile aid workshop in resuming its production and provision of quality tricycles and walking aids.
    • Strengthen links with existing community-based networks.
    • Improve CRHP general management.
    • Create a platform of coordination between CRHP and other orthopedic centers in Kinshasa.
      Main Achievements in 2004/5
    • Completed two year in-service training of 19 PT Assistants
    • Completed three year in-service training for 12 P/O Technicians
    • Introduced and trained staff on production of 44 new types of appliances & 11 new types of mobility aids
    • Trained CRHP Management on fundraising. Team later developed a winning proposal to raise funds for construction of an obstacle course.
    • Established a coordination platform for rehab service providers in Kinshasa (Liaison Nationale des Organizations de Réadaptation - LINOR)
  • International Polio Victims Response Committee (IPVRC)
    This two year $ 335,945 sub-grant awarded in April 2004 is designed to:
    • Ensure availability of adequate resources to sustain ACAOJH’s service delivery
    • Pursue avenues for advocacy to decrease use of paralysis causing hip injections for fever treatment
    • Expand ACAOJH services to a third area and use innovative outreach strategies
    • To facilitate integration of disabled children in formal schools
    • Rehabilitate and re-equip two brace shops in Kinshasa and Lubumbashi
    • Promote greater parental involvement in disabled children’s lives
      Main Achievements in 2004/5
    • OD training in finance, governance, strategic planning and resource mobilization provided for a total of 22 staff of IPVRC and ACAOJH.
    • Orthopedic appliances provided for 685 individuals http://www.ipvrc.org/bracing.htm
    • Provided school fees support for 39 children
    • Developed a cost recovery system and started testing of the beneficiary services fund to cover operational costs.
  • Red Cross DRC
    This one year $ 19,565 sub grant awarded in June 2004 was designed to add a physical therapy service to the Kelembe Lembe Center and introduce follow-up patients served at the orthopedic center.
    Main Achievements in 2004/5
    • Provided PT services to 117 individuals at the center
    • Follow up of 63 beneficiaries

Sierra Leone

  • Handicap International/France
    This May 2003 sub-award provides $1,124,715 for a 3-year project designed to:
    • Ensure the production and affordability of prosthetics, orthotics, and rehabilitation services.
    • Improve the accessibility of services for people in need of rehabilitation services, and institute quality follow-up measures.
    • Develop national competency and skill in the field of prosthetics, orthotics, and rehabilitation services through training.
    • Strengthen the national capacity to manage the rehabilitation centers and services.
      Main Achievements in 2004/5
    • Provided rehab services to 2,513 individuals in Freetown, Kono, Kailahun & Bo
    • Established a satellite orthopedic workshop in Kono and a rehab unit in Kailahun.
    • Identified and provided upgraded training to 8 CBR staff and started CBR services in Kono and Kailahun.
    • Enrolled 4 P/O Technicians for professional training at TATCOT (Three Category II and one Category III) and two students at KMTC (one OT and one PT)
    • Supported training of 35 mid-level therapists at the College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences (COMAHS).
    • Completed one year Level III training for 12 orthopedic technicians and six week resin training for 13 P/O technicians
  • Christian Aid for Under-Assisted Societies Everywhere (CAUSE)
    This April 2003 sub award provided $ 312,225 for a 2-year project designed to:
    • Support the socio-economic reintegration of amputees, war wounded, and other vulnerable people in Kono and Kailahun Districts.
    • Promote and support sports and recreation activities for people with disabilities.
    • Support advocacy and community sensitization efforts on disability issues in areas where socio-economic activities are taking place.
      Main Achievements in 2004/5
    • Provided socio-economic support to 1,104 PWD in Kono and Kailahun through IGA support and sports & recreation activities.
    • Trained ten Social Worker staff in Kono and Kailahun.
  • Leonard Cheshire International (LCI)
    Omega provided two grants to LCI in 2004 and 2005. The first sub-award provided $ 23,851 in April 2004 for a one year project designed to:
    • Facilitate access to education to 15 physically disabled children in Kabala town
    • Economic empowerment of parents of 42 disabled children through initial training in small business development and the piloting of a revolving loan scheme
    • Provide orthopedic and prosthetic services for the physically disabled in Kabala
    • Provide vocational skills training for 10 disabled young men and women;
    • Build capacity of the volunteer management committee

The second sub-award provides $ 33,190 for an 11 month project from September 2005 designed to:

    • Support integration of disabled children into formal schools and improve physical access /provide learning materials in schools admitting disabled children in Kabala.
    • Facilitate economic empowerment of parents of children with disability and youth through business loans and skills training respectively.
    • Facilitate access to physical rehabilitation services to PWD living in Kabala through collaboration with Mercy Ships/New Steps.
      Main Achievements in 2004/5
    • Provided physical rehab services for 150 individuals in Kabala in collaboration with Mercy Ships/New Steps.
    • Provided school support for 15 disabled children
    • Distributed 300 units of furniture to five primary schools in Kabala that have integrated 25 children with disability.
    • Started a revolving loan scheme targeting mothers of disabled children
    • Provided skills training for 10 disabled youth, 7 of who later started their own businesses.
  • World Hope International (WHI)
    This August 2004 sub-award provided $ 46,000 for a one year project designed to:
    • Provide micro credit loans to 300 PWD.
    • Promote the building of partnerships and relationships between the civilian war amputees, civilian war wounded, polio disabled and the community they live in.
    • Contribute to the national resettlement and reintegration programs of IDPs.
      Main Achievements in 2004/5
    • Provided loans to 312 disabled persons in Makeni, Magburaka and Bombali in the Northern province. Loan repayment funds will be recycled to continue the micro-credit activities (http://www.worldhope.org/pdf/SL_annualreport_04.pdf
    • ß Trained 78 individuals in business development.

South Sudan

  • Medical Care Development International (MCDI)
    This September 2003 sub-award provides $ 1,041,344 for a 33-month project designed to:
    • Expand access to orthopedic and physical therapy services in Rumbek County and adja-cent regions in southern Sudan.
    • Improve the quality of orthopedic care for people with disabilities in southern Sudan through the promotion of appropriate and prosthetic technology.
    • Increase the social and economic reintegration of civilian victims of war.
      Main Achievements in 2004/5
    • Completed rehabilitation of physical rehab unit
    • Provided physical rehab services to 370 individuals in Rumbek country and environs (http://mcdi.mcd.org/curproj-orthopedic.html)
    • Provided professional training for 10 repairmen with ICRC, two orthopedic technicians and two PT aides at KMTC.
    • Provided skills training and facilitated job placement for 39 PWD.
  • Sudan Evangelical Mission (SEM)
    This February 2005 sub award provides $ 50,000 for a 1 year project designed to:
    • Identify children/adults who are “hidden” from traditional services.
    • Increase community understanding of the main causes of disability and change negative attitudes towards PWDs.
    • Increase community ownership of disability services.
    • Facilitate delivery of home-based services.
      Main Achievements in 2004/5
    • Identified 1,000 PWD in Mundri County through initial data collection exercise.
    • Trained 30 CBR Volunteers and 7 CBR Supervisors in CBR and data collection.
    • Trained 14 Artisans to make assistive devices at payam level.
    • Provided 14 mobility aids to PWD in Mundri (Wheelchairs, Tricycles and Crutches)

Tanzania

  • Disabled Organization for Legal Assistance and Socio-economic Development (DOLASED)
    This September 2004 sub award provides $ 18,050 for a one year project designed to:
    • Establish a legal aid center for PWD
    • Provide legal aid, consultancy and training services to Disabled Persons Organizations and PWD.
    • Train paralegal staff of DOLASED
    • Advocate for the rights of PWD and lobby government for improved legislation to favor PWD.
      Main Achievements in 2004/5
    • Trained 10 paralegals and 20 representatives of Disabled Persons’ Organizations on the legal rights of PWD.
    • Provided legal aid services to 50 PWD in Tanzania.
    • In collaboration with DPOs and the National Electoral Commission (NEC), DOLASED assisted to design and develop Tactile Ballot Folders for use by blind voters December 2005 General Elections of Tanzania.

Republic of Congo

  • Caritas Brazzaville
    This September 2005 sub award provides $ 38,223 for a 10 month project designed to:
    • Improve the capacity of two Caritas-supported rehab centers in Bacongo and Moungali to deliver quality physical rehabilitation services and orthopedic appliances to persons with disability through training, materials supply & equipment upgrading.
    • Improve the stock management and patient filing systems.
    • Provide improved quality PT and P/O services at the two centers
    • Provide follow up services for individuals served at the centers.
      Main Achievements in 2004/5
    • Signed MoUs with two Kinshasa based local rehab service providers to provide capacity building for staff in the PT and Orthopedic departments.

Kenya

  • Bethany Crippled Children’s’ Center
    This January 2004 sub award provided $ 19,227 for a 17 month project designed to:
    • Improve the efficiency and accuracy of clinic referral and follow-up system
    • Maintain and promote availability to medical and rehabilitative services to those living in remote areas of Kenya through regular mobile clinics, and maintain accessibility to services within the center’s hospital.
    • Train health care practitioners and collaborate with other training facilities in Kenya.
    • Create awareness on the services provided by the center to the disabled.
      Main Achievements in 2004/5
    • Screened 6,013 individuals and provided services (either surgery and/or appliances) to 2,652.
    • Trained six Orthopedic and three PT students from KMTC on clinical attachment.
    • Computerized the patient database.
  • Association for the Physically Disabled of Kenya (APDK)
    Omega has supported APDK through two grants in 2004 and 2005. The first sub-award provided $ 50,000 for a 15 month project designed to:
    • Distribute 300 mobility aids to seven regions in Kenya (i.e. tricycles and wheelchairs)
    • Introduce a system for beneficiary follow up and collect feedback.
    • Train twelve upcountry based orthopedic technologists on taking measurements, ordering and issuing appropriate mobility aids.
    • Provide business training and business start up support to 20 needy recipients of business tricycles.

The second sub-award signed in September 2005 for $ 200,000 is designed to:

    • Train Technologists and Technicians in appropriate prescription and production of wheelchairs as to ensure appropriate service delivery
    • Design and develop a range of wheelchairs/tricycles to meet the specific needs of PWDs considering their disability, environment and occupational requirements
    • Meet the quantitative needs for wheelchairs in Kenya by setting up an industrial production workshop with sufficient production capacity to meet the needs in Kenya and export to neighboring countries
    • Improve quality of wheelchairs by using advanced technology, industrial machines and strict quality control systems
    • Reduce production costs to ensure competitiveness with imported wheelchairs through international sourcing and efficient production processes
      Main Achievements in 2004/5
    • Distributed 312 mobility aids to seven regions in Kenya
    • Provided business skills training for 112 recipients of business tricycles and developed a business training manual.
    • Trained 200 PWD on the use and maintenance of mobility aids.
    • Developed a database for analyzing beneficiary feedback
    • Trained six field based orthopedic technologists in wheelchair maintenance and repair
  • NARAP/Kangemi Rehabilitation Center
    This February 2004 sub-award provided $ 13,000 for a 15 month project designed to:
    • Replace orthopedic tools and equipment
    • Provide materials for production and repair of prostheses/orthoses for 150 individuals from Kakuma and Dadaab refugee camps
    • Follow-up approximately 50% of beneficiaries of new prostheses
      Main Achievements in 2004/5
    • Delivered 163 appliances to 159 individuals in Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps in Kenya
    • Developed a follow up tool and followed up 55 beneficiaries
    • Developed an electronic patient database and started use of the same.
  • Kenya Wheelchair Basketball Federation
    This March 2004 sub-award provided $ 50,410 designed to increase the capacity of the KWBF through:
    • Provision of 12 new basketball wheelchairs.
    • Securing space for regular practice for the Nairobi based national team
    • Capacity building training for the leadership of KWBF
    • Facilitation of five matches in different regions in Kenya to introduce the sport
    • Hosting an international friendly match in Nairobi
      Main Achievements in 2004/5
    • Purchased 12 new international standard basketball wheelchairs.
    • Held 105 practice sessions and experienced growth in the membership from 29 to 47 members in Nairobi. Number of match spectators from among the Kenyan public has also increased.
    • Established five new teams in five major towns of Kenya. This saw an additional 122 players being identified countrywide.
    • Hosted one tournament against the Tanzania national team a second one for the under 22 World Junior Championship qualifiers match for the Afro-Arab Zone. The latter involved teams from South Africa and Iran.
      Both tournaments helped to further publicize the sport in Kenya
  • PCEA Kikuyu Orthopedic Center
    This February 2004 sub-award provided $ 16,666 for a 15 months project designed to:
    • Improve mobility and functionality for 50 children through corrective surgery
    • Undertake follow up of beneficiaries to monitor progress.
      Main Achievements in 2004/5
    • Improved functionality and mobility of 59 children through corrective surgery & rehabilitation.
  • Jaipur Foot Trust
    This June 2004 sub-award provided $ 46,142 for a one year project designed to:
    • Strengthen the workshop capacity by supporting professional training of one Orthopedic technician at KMTC.
    • Improve quality of orthopedic appliances through the provision of necessary equipment, tools and materials.
    • Improve patient care through the provision of physical therapy/gait training.
    • Measure the impact of the project through targeted follow-up mechanisms.
      Main Achievements in 2004/5
    • One orthopedic technician sponsored for one year diploma course at KMTC
    • New equipment bought for the center and 3 technicians trained in use of ICRC technology to make improved quality prosthesis.
    • 775 individuals fitted with prosthesis. All received gait training upon fitting.
    • Instituted system of collecting beneficiary feedback and used the information from 381 beneficiaries to improve product quality and service delivery.
  • Kenya Programmes of Disabled Persons (KPDP)
    This June 2004 sub-award provided $ 5,307 for a four month project designed to:
    • Develop a manual to guide implementation of a micro-credit project.
      Main Achievement in 2004/5
    • Developed a comprehensive manual that KPDP can use to pilot a micro-credit project targeting the disabled.






 

 

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