This five-year project, the single biggest project in SAHARA, ran from 2002 until 2007. It was funded by the WKK Kellogg Foundation and involved six SADC countries: South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Swaziland, and Mozambique.

Its main aim was to obtain evidence-based best practices of OVC interventions through looking at OVC interventions that addressed:

• Home-based child-centred health, development, education and support 
• Family and household support 
• Strengthening community support systems 
• Building HIV and AIDS awareness, advocacy and policy to benefit OVC.

The study used a participatory rural appraisal approach. This was essential because ownership of the project by the participating communities is of utmost importance. The project was conducted at two sites (e.g., districts, sub-districts) in each country. The sites had to fulfil criteria such as a high HIV infection rate and a significant OVC problem.

The project wrap-up workshop was held in February 2007, and research results are currently being written up for publication in peer-reviewed journals. Following this, some ‘best practice’ OVC interventions are to be recommended to sub-Saharan African countries.

Publications:

Two peer-reviewed journal articles have been published as follows:

• Shisana, O., Simbayi, L.C., Skinner, D., Magome, K., Mkabela, B., Mtero-Munyati, S., Mundondo, J., Tsheko, G.N., Matlaku, T. & the Southern Africa OVC Care Interventions Project Research Team. (2006). The use of implementation research networks on orphans and vulnerable children to encourage research driven policies: The case of Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies Journal, 1(3): 230–245.
• Skinner, D., Tsheko, N., Mtero-Munyati, S., Segwabe, M., Chibatamoto, P., Mfecane, S., Chandiwana, B., Nkomo, N. & Tlou, S. (2006). Towards a Definition of Orphaned and Vulnerable Children . AIDS and Behaviour, 10(6), 619-626.

Several research reports from all three countries have been published:

• Deacon, H. & Stephney, I (2007). HIV/AIDS, stigma and children: A literature review. Cape Town: HSRC Press.
• Dlamini, P.K. (2004). A Description Selected Interventions for the Care of Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Cape Town: HSRC Press.
• Gomo, E. & Munyati, S. (Eds). (2006) Household survey of HIV-prevalence and behaviour in Chimanimani District, Zimbabwe, 2005. Cape Town: HSRC Press.
• Jooste, S., Managa,A. & Simbayi, L. (2006) A census of orphaned and vulnerable children in two South African communities. Cape Town: HSRC Press.
• Magome, K. (Ed). (2006) The W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s orphans and vulnerable children project: interventions in Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Cape Town: HSRC Press.
• Martin, H.G. (2003). A Comparative Analysis of the Financing of HIV/AIDS Programmes. Cape Town: HSRC Press.
• Munyati, S. (Ed). (2006) A census of orphans and vulnerable children in two Zimbabwean districts. Cape Town: HSRC Press.
• Munyati, S. (Ed). (2006) A qualitative assessment of orphans and vulnerable children in two Zimbabwean districts. Cape Town: HSRC Press.
  
• Rusakaniko, S., Chingono, A., Mahati, S., Mupambireyi, P.F. & Chandiwana, B. (2006) Psychosocial conditions of orphans and vulnerable children in two Zimbabwean districts: a baseline study. Cape Town: HSRC Press.
• Richter, L., Manegold, J., Pather, R. (2004). Family and Community Interventions for Children Affected by AIDS. Cape Town: HSRC Press.
• Tsheko, G.N. (ed). (2007). Situational analysis of the socioeconomic conditions of orphans and vulnerable children in seven districts in Botswana. Cape Town: HSRC Press.
• Tsheko, G.N., Odirile, L.W., Bainame, K., Segwabe, M., Nair, P.S., Ntshebe, O. (2007). Household Survey of Behavioural Risks and HIV Sero-Status in two districts in Botswana. Cape Town: HSRC Press.
• Tsheko, G.N., Bainame, K., Odirile, L.W., Segwabe, M. (2007). A baseline study on psychosocial support of orphans and vulnerable children in two villages in Botswana. Cape Town: HSRC Press.
• Simbayi, L.C., Kleintjes, S., Ngomane,T.,Tabane, C.E.M., Mfecane, S. & Davids,A. (2006) Psychosocial issues affecting orphans and vulnerable children in two South African communities. Cape Town: HSRC Press.
• Simbayi, L.C., Jooste, S., Mwaba, K., Managa, A., Zuma, K. & Mbelle, N.M. (2006). Behavioural Risks and HIV Sero-Status Household Survey in the Klerksdorp District of South Africa: A Baseline Study. Cape Town: HSRC Press.
• Skinner, D. & Davids, A. (Eds). (2006). A situational analysis of orphans and vulnerable children in four districts of South Africa. Cape Town: HSRC Press.
• Skinner, D. & Davids, A. (Eds). (2006). Multiple vulnerabilities: qualitative data for the study of orphans and vulnerable children in South Africa. Cape Town: HSRC Press.
• Skinner, D., Davids, A., Matlhaku, T., Phakedi, R., Mohapeloa, P., Romao, S., Mdwaba, T., Kazi, N. & Mundondo, J. (2006). Working to support orphans and vulnerable children in southern Africa: a reflection on values, principles and organisational issues. Cape Town: HSRC Press.
• Van Wyk, B., Strebel, A., Peltzer, K. & Skinner, D. (2006). Community-level behavioural interventions for HIV prevention in Sub-Saharan Africa. (Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS and Health research programme, Occasional paper; 3). Cape Town: HSRC Press.
• Zungu-Dirwayi, N., Shisana, O., Udjo, E., Mosala, T., Seager, J. (2004). An Audit of HIV/AIDS Policies. Cape Town: HSRC Press.