Faith Community Engagement (FCE)
As a faith-based organization, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT) has, for decades, embodied interfaith collaborations to enhance the reach of both health and social services in the community. The USAID Kizazi Hodari Northeastern Zone Project, implemented by the ELCT, utilizes Faith Community Engagement platforms to promote behavioural change at the community level. This approach facilitates the identification and linkage of Orphaned and Vulnerable Children (OVC) and their caregivers, as well as the prevention of and response to HIV and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) / Violence Against Children (VAC).
Why Faith Community Engagement?
Faith leaders are trusted and able to influence positive change in society by addressing harmful cultural norms that perpetuate GBV/VAC and stereotypes. When sufficient investment is made in faith leaders, including capacity building and training on case identification, linkage, and referral pathways, they can contribute positively to the project. The project benefits from FCE by collaborating with faith leaders who are equipped with knowledge, skills, and information about the project’s goals, objectives, approaches, and target groups.
FCE Approach Goal:
To accelerate the prevention of GBV/VAC/HIV, increase case identification, reporting, and access to post-violence care, and promote HIV testing services.
FCE Approach Infrastructure:
- Health Facilities:
HIV/AIDS Awareness and Prevention: By leveraging the ELCT’s extensive church networks, the project reaches rural and vulnerable communities, which are key to the project’s goals.
- Education:
School Outreach Programs: USAID Kizazi Hodari Northeastern Zone utilizes the school outreach programs by engaging faith leaders who provide moral foundation education that enhances awareness of HIV, Gender-Based Violence, and Violence Against Children. These efforts are equipping the youth with the skills and knowledge necessary for violence response, and protection.
- Interfaith Dialogue:
The ELCT’s promotion of interfaith dialogue enhances the USAID Kizazi Hodari Northeastern Zone’s efforts to foster cooperation among diverse religious communities. This collaboration enhances mutual understanding and joint action towards attaining the project’s goals.
Through this intervention, the USAID Kizazi Hodari Northeastern Zone project contributes towards advancing the well-being of orphaned and vulnerable children, making significant strides in health, education, children protection, and economic resilience.