Prior to the commencement of project implementation, the RHF project team undertook a crucial preparatory exercise in Ogbia Local Government Area to identify and select viable communities for the Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) and Home-Based Care (HBC) components of the HPDP II project.
The visitation and selection process took place from April 27–29, starting daily at 10 a.m. The RHF team conducted a series of transient walks through the mapped-out communities, observing the environment, assessing the terrain, and gathering information on existing community structures. This also included identifying the presence and number of active Support Groups for People Living with HIV (PLHIV) within the LGA, as such groups are critical partners in project delivery.
After a thorough assessment, seven communities were selected for participation in the project:
-
Kolo 1
-
Emeyal 1
-
Kolo 2
-
Otuoke
-
Emeyal 2
-
Ogbia Town
-
Kolo 3
The selection process was guided by clear criteria. Priority was given to communities with existing and functional Primary Health Centres (PHCs), as these facilities are essential for providing medical referrals and integrated care to OVC and PLHIV. Another key criterion was to avoid duplication of efforts by ensuring that selected communities were not already targeted by other organizations implementing the same OVC and HBC components of the HPDP II project.
This careful and strategic selection exercise ensured that the project would be implemented in communities where the necessary infrastructure, community interest, and potential for sustainability were in place, thereby increasing the likelihood of achieving meaningful and long-term impact.
