Care Givers make case for youths out of Orphan and vulnerable children Programme

Care givers working on Orphans and Vulnerable Children programmes in Osun state want government at all levels, donor agencies and organizations, to create a programme that will support Vulnerable Youths that are out of OVC formal Support Programme. This they say will consolidate support provided to Vulnerable Children so that they can stand on their own and play meaningful role in the society. This special report examines the challenges faced by Vulnerable Children above eighteen years of age and what could be done to better their lots. Orphans and Vulnerable Children are refers to as group of Children who are more exposed to risk than their peers and may experience negative outcome such as loss of education , morbidity and malnutrition. To meet their Social needs programmes have been evolved and support is being provided by different ngo’s and agencies such as DFID, USAID and Global fund. Experience has shown however that due to cultural and economic Climate in Nigeria, those officially above eighteen years of age who are out of this formal programme are still faced with enormous challenges in finding their feet in the society. Two of this group of youths that can be classified as out of programme in Ilesa, Osun state Inuwa Lous and John Samuel spoke with Radio Nigeria about their dreams and limitations Some Care givers providing services to Vulnerable Children Mr. Oginni Razak of the Ebenezer Youth Care Iponda and Miss Fasanya Tolulope of Centre for Life support Mission Osogbo explained challenges faced by these youths when out of support programme. Describing the situation as a big challenge, the Executive Director of a Non- Governmental Organization, Living Hope Care Ilesa Ms Ibiyemi Fakande and another Programme Officer on OVC Programme, Mr. Olashore Emmanuel argued that practical steps should be evolved to bail out these youths A Royal father in Osun State, the Owalare of Ilare Ijesa, Oba Emmanuel Adejoro also lend his voice to the plight of the Vulnerable youths out of programme. Cue in Cue out It is believed that when a programme is formulated to capture Vulnerable Children out of programme in social security net, they would be safeguarded from falling victims of negative societal ills. From Osun State, Timothy Bamidele