Economic Empowerment Program Suubi-Maka

The study has two specific aims (1) To conduct formative work in order to understand children and families´ ability and interest in participating in a family-level economic empowerment intervention focused on savings and family income generation, and their response to this family-focused economic empowerment approach alongside additional intervention components, including savings for youth education and adult mentorship. (2) Based on formative data (Aim #1), to adapt the intervention and examine issues related to feasibility and preliminary outcome on a small scale in order to prepare for a larger study.

The intervention, SUUBI-MAKA, uses a novel approach by focusing on economic empowerment of families caring for children orphaned due to AIDS. The intervention has three key components (1) it promotes family-level income generating projects (micro-enterprises) which we believe will enhance economic stability, reduce poverty, and enhance protective family processes for youth orphaned by AIDS. (2) It promotes monetary savings for educational opportunities for AIDS-orphaned children. (3) It provides an adult mentor to children. The intervention will be evaluated via a two-group randomized trial. The two groups are SUUBI-MAKA or Usual care for orphaned children. The participating children will be nested within 20 primary schools that will be randomly assigned such that all children from a particular school receive the same intervention.

Inclusion criteria

• An AIDS-orphaned child, defined as a child who has lost one or both parents to AIDS;
• Enrolled in the last two years of primary school (even though possibly not attending regularly);
• Between the ages of 11 to 16 years;
• Living within a family.

Exclusion criteria

• Any youth below 11 years or above 16 years at the time of enrollment in the study;
• Any youth not enrolled in the final two years of primary school;
• Any youth who does not self-identify as an AIDS-orphan;
• Any youth not being raised primarily within a family context at the start of the study.