Project SIerra - A Family and a Future
Project SIerra is a four-year partnership between Soroptimist International and Hope and Homes for Children which aims to raise over £1 million ($2 million USD) to transform the lives of some of the most deprived women and children in the world.
Young Mother Support
Most of the target young mothers have been rejected by their families and the scheme will help them to return to school or receive vocational training while their child or children are being cared for. There will be day nurseries and healthcare, and the aim is for financial independence for the young women. Steps are also going to be taken to try to re-unite them with their families.
Children Living Alone
The second element of the project will deal with children living alone on the streets. Children under the age of ten, who have lived on the streets for less than a year, are to be targeted, again, with an effort to reunite them with their families, where possible. They will get intensive support to get back to their families and to return to school Regrettably, it has been found that older children, or those who have been on the streets for longer than a year are not helped with as much success.
Integrated Child and Family Support
The third area is hoping to help the most desperate and vulnerable families, where the children are at risk of being abandoned or trafficked. For example, families comprised of only children – child-head families – or elderly women looking after their grandchildren. Working with community leaders, the project will identify these families and give tailor-made support such as schooling costs, medical care, home repairs or water supply, small business or farming resources to help them improve their financial position. The aim is to strengthen the family, and not to create dependency.
