In the PEPFAR context, the term OVC is defined as a child, 0-17 years old, who is either orphaned or made more vulnerable because of HIV/AIDS. Orphan: Has lost one or both parents to HIV/AIDS.
Elroi hope centre is a non-profit charitable Community Based organization founded in 2003 in Nairobi, Kenya. The main objective of EHC is to provide hope and restoration for orphans and vulnerable children, youth and women through establishment of an integrated empowerment program approaches at the local community level. Elroi Hope Centre has been working in partnership with the relevant government department and organizations on thematic themes such as HIV and AIDS, Drug and substance Abuse, Children empowerment and Rights campaigns, youth empowerment, environmental care and clean up, and women empowerment programs.
Some of the most pressing challenges street children face include difficulties in maintaining basic health and accessing services, violence (beaten up by the other street children) and abuse, and dangerous working conditions, not feeling any sense of belonging, girls fall into prostitution to make a living, glue sniffing which is one of the many surviving strategies that keep these children resilient to their own feelings and anxiety, and the harsh climatic conditions due to lack of proper shelter and clothing. There is an illusion of freedom that these children get by living on the street. It is not a choice to leave their homes for the street but there is a conscious choice to stay on the street. Therefore, much is required to be done to counter the root causes that lead children to live and work on the streets, and to guarantee respect and full realization of the rights enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child.