EFA International is proud to announce two new regional partnerships with health centers in the towns of Godola and Amchidé. Over the course of 2009, health center partnerships have emerged as an effective model for establishing new youth associations in the EFA Youth Empowerment Network. Two of the five current member associations of the Youth Network have direct relationships with their local health center, while all of the current groups in training were established in close partnership with the local health center.

The partnerships between health centers and youth associations are mutually beneficial relationships. EFA commits to providing ongoing assistance to the HIV+ youth associations and supporting HIV education campaigns in the community through EFA’s Peer Educators.  As most health centers currently have the capacity to conduct only seasonal education campaigns around events such as World AIDS Day , partnerships provide a valuable opportunity for health centers to expand the services that they can offer. Health centers in EFA-supported communities are now able to organize continuing community education throughout the year. In turn, the health center provides a meeting space for the association and health center directors commit to participating in association activities. In addition, health centers agree to provide short-term employment opportunities for association members during activities, such as national vaccination campaigns.

Since July 2009, the Rebero Orphan Center has experienced several administrative and managerial challenges that have begun to compromise the quality of services provided to the orphans and vulnerable children in its care. As a result of these problematic circumstances, and following a series of discussions with local government representatives, the decision was made to close the Rebero Orphan Center and to re-establish the center under a new name and in a new neighborhood with the intention of providing the same care and support services to the former beneficiaries of ROC. EFA has supported the program staff throughout this transition period as they assemble a new Board of Directors, file all necessary registration paperwork and transfer to a new building. The Child Support Center (CSC) will open officially in December 2009, at which point all programs will recommence for the center’s beneficiaries.

The CSC’s primary programs will continue to provide education, health and nutrition services to children at the center.