English version
English version – About CVM
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This is the poster realized by CVM for the International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA – Addis Abeba Ethiopia, Dec. 4th-8th – http://www.icasa2011addis.org/). It describes CVM's commitment mostly focused on housemaids's specific target.
Download: CVM Poster HM 
CVM in general: Mission and Vision of the organization
1. Historical background:
The Community of Volunteers for the World (Italian ab
breviation CVM) was founded in February 1978 – more than 30 years ago. CVM is a no-profit, No-Governmental Organization based in Ancona, Porto San Giorgio and Chieti, Italy. It was founded by a group of returned volunteers who, after some years of voluntary work in Africa and South America, had a deep interest to help people in their struggle to exist in this world irrespective of where they are from. The group had a vision and, in accordance to it, CVM formulated its mission statement as follows: “working for a more human world through the development of the whole person and of all persons both in the North and in the South of the World”.
CVM has prioritized attention to the African continent because of the acute needs of the population, the marginalization of entire Countries and the continued abuse of people’s rights to a dignified and worthwhile life. In being a small organization, CVM has decided to concentrate work to a limited number of Countries, in order to allow CVM to develop a significant presence there and to promote durable relationship and connection with its people. Actually, CVM’s operation focuses on 2 countries in Africa: Ethiopia and Tanzania.
CVM’s first project was in Ethiopia in the field of Rural Water Development and Sanitation, and it continues to work in this field and in this Country. In 1994 CVM has prioritized attention to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Ethiopia with specific focus on prevention and impact mitigation. Presently this is the largest area of CVM involvement (with 8 projects over Ethiopia and Tanzania reaching approx. 12 million people).
2. Development philosophy:
- Focus on people
- Centrality of Communities
- Support to local existing structures
- Women as hope for the future of Africa society
- PLWHAs
- Operational Approach
- Volunteers
- Monitoring and Evaluation
- Financial System
- Local and European Partnerships
3. Details on organization of human and material resources
- CVM Organization
CVM is constituted by members, whose admission is approved by the Assembly by simple majority, upon recommendation of the Council.
People, who share the Association’s aims and objectives to collaborate to promote their development, adhering to and observing the Statute and Regulations, can request admission to the Council.
Every member has the right to one vote, and can bear only one proxy in the voting.
- CVM Offices in Italy
- Ancona Office – Legal Office
Piazza S. Maria, 4 60121 Ancona (AN)
e-mail cvm@cvm.an.it
telephone number/fax +39 71 202074 – 202933
- Porto S. Giorgio Office – Include
Viale delle Regioni, 6 63822 Porto S. Giorgio (FM)
e-mail cvmap@cvm.an.it
telephone number/fax +39 734 674832
- Chieti Office – Include
Via Solario 1, 66100 Chieti (CH)
e-mail cvmabruzzo@yahoo.com
telephone number/fax +39 871.349406
All office has teams of volunteers who undertake volunteering work in surrounding communities
- CVM Offices on the operation fields
In Ethiopia and Tanzania CVM has 96 full-time employees committed in project implementation, monitoring and evaluating activities.
- ETHIOPIA
- Addis Ababa – CVM Country Office
- Amhara Region HIV/AIDS Programmes
1. Regional Coordination Project – Bahir Dar Sp. Zone Office
2. Awi and West Gojjam Zones
3. HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Program – E. Gojjam Zonal Office
4. HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Programme – North Gondar Office
5. HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Programme – South Gondar Office
- Oromia Region
Water and Sanitation Programme Nekemte Office
CVM and Nekemte Catholic Secretariat (NCS) have operated from 1996 to 2010 in Oromya Region to assist particularly rural communities in addressing their potable water, hygiene and sanitation needs. In 2010 CVM and NCS realized a “Sustainability Study on CVM and NCS Community Based Water Supply and Sanitation project in Oromya”, the most wide region of Ethiopia, in order to deduct lessons and best practices from 14 years experience to be used for developing of new projects.
To download the survey: Sustainability Study CVM_Oromyia light
- Southern People Nations and Nationalities
Water and Sanitation Programme Wolayta Office
Water and Sanitation Programme Bonga Office
- TANZANIA
- HIV/AIDS Prevention, Care & Gender Empowerment Bagamoyo Office
The approach to development work is people and community centred and lesser emphasis is placed on structures. Any activity is an opportunity to foster the beneficiaries to become more conscious of their own potentialities as people and as communities and boost their self confidence and self esteem, therefore the process is equally as important as the end product. With the appropriate attention to the participatory process in the various steps, a community will have clean water but will also retain the ownership of the work/scheme, “that they have made it themselves”, with only the assistance of CVM.
In order to maximize the communities self confidence CVM avoids putting banners and other indications of external involvement in the development of certain structure. These would reinforce the role plaid by CVM and diminish the community role, thereby emphasizing a recipient-donor relationship which CVM carefully tries to avoid. In every society human dignity is a core element to promote self esteem, sense of self worthiness and the willingness to stand for one’s own rights. Development work must reinforce the self esteem of the beneficiary and minimize the recipient position.
b) Centrality of Communities
CVM believes that communities play a major role in Africa as the centre for the wellbeing and development of the individuals. Therefore CVM avoids interventions that are “centred on individuals”. Development interventions are all linked to the community, even when specific individuals may benefit.
CVM privileges initiatives that bring a lasting benefit to entire communities or organized groups with in civil society: water schemes, schools, open awareness initiatives, capacity building, Persons Living with AIDS Associations, Orphans Associations, Women and Girls Associations etc.
In confronting the HIV/AIDS pandemic, CVM fosters a multi-sectoral approach as the main strategy, with political leaders brought on board to play a key front line role and through capacity building focussing on mainstreaming and coordination among all government and non-government bodies.
The multi-sectoral/multi multidimensional approach is promoted to empower communities to actively address HIV/AIDS. The multi-sectoral approach is a methodology to deal effectively with the AIDS pandemic and containing its impact. The multi-sectoral approach is the bringing together /on board of every government office (education, agriculture, health, social, women, youth, culture and sport, health, administration, etc) with religious institutions CBO’s, Associations, key leaders to address the problem of HIV/AIDS with streamlined and coordinated interventions.
HIV/AIDS is now no longer a Health Sector problem only but an issue that requires a concerted effort to address it. The multi-sectoral approach ensures that a huge local resource can be forthcoming to address the problem, from the Heads of Regional Bureaus to teachers, agriculture workers, social workers, office staff, health personnel, religious leaders, PLWAS, women, students, girls, orphan children etc.
The multidimensional approach ensures that care and prevention go hand in hand and are confronted through: capacity building, community mobilization, integration with health programmes, leadership and mainstreaming, coordination and networking, and tackling the full package of vulnerable groups: youth, orphan children, women, PLWAS, and girls needs/rights and vulnerability.
CVM been engaged in the struggle against HIV, is empowering poor rural girls and women to overtake marginalization and economic dependence, supporting street orphan children and care-giving families through several income generating activities, CVM has effectively reduced health as well as social vulnerability of the groups most affected by HIV, without distracting attention from a long-term strategy.
As an example, while CVM intervenes on the issue of orphans and street children, CVM has proceeded in bringing the community to the fore: “The community has the responsibility to care for the orphan children living in/on the streets and CVM assists the community to do so”. No orphanages have been established. Committees have been formed, families identified and orphans children relocated into new families with adequate preparation in temporary care centres and strong follow up.
c) Support to local existing structures
CVM does not own or control any structures (school, hospitals or orphanages, etc.). CVM instead assists the already existing structures of the local partners to function better and more effectively. Where new additional structures may be required, it’s the responsibility of the local partner and CVM facilitates their establishment through this partnership. In the case of the HIV/AIDS programmes, health structures play a major role: over the years CVM has extended much support to Hospitals and Public Health Structures to improve their services in prevention and care through: Blood banks, VCT Centres, VCT kits, Revolving pharmacies, Counselling units, capacity building of heath personnel etc.
d) Women as hope for the future of Africa society
CVM believes that the marginalization of women in the decision making at the various steps that characterize a development project is a serious obstacle to its effectiveness and must be addressed firstly by capacity building. The issue of marginalization is prioritized by CVM, fostering vocational training and 3rd level education of poor girls, where this is not possible other forms of training and workshops and economic empowerment of poor women/girls are provided e.g. capacity building of women and girls re HIV/AIDS and their vulnerability, revolving funds for poor girls and women and fostering them to take a leading role with in their communities.
e) PLWAs
CVM has promoted the development of over 60 Persons with AIDS Associations, all legally registered in their projects in Ethiopia and Tanzania. These Associations are now taking a leading role in addressing stigma, their own economic problems and lobbying for their rights to access ART.
CVM from the beginning working on HIV/AIDS programs in 1997 has valued the role that could/should be played by persons living with AIDS. In the projects, priority has been given to empower persons living with AIDS, and this has brought to the creation and development of over 60 Associations.
CVM employees 6 persons living with AIDS which are comprised of the management teams of each project.
f) Operational Approach
CVM works in Africa and implements projects along with its Local Partners, without passing resources but rather enters into an operational relationship. Utilizing this methodology CVM gives maximum roles and responsibilities to people of the country. CVM employs capable and reliable people and entrusts them with the responsibility of managing projects and also building on their commitment to their own people.
Each project has an operational team composed mainly by people of the country; a Project Facilitator is always a citizen of the country where the project is implemented. When the number of projects is significant a Country Coordination Unit is established with a person, normally a national, who will have the role of CVM Country Representative and coordinates the various project teams. The Country Representative is assisted by an administrator and 1-2 specialists as it may be necessary.
The Project Office in Italy engages in a close dialogue with the Country Office and the Project Facilitators on the field whose role is assisting local key actors in all decision-making process (activities planning, budget allocation, monitoring and evaluation) to ensure maximum efficiency and quality output of the work undertaken. The sharing of experiences is an important element of this close dialogue between the team in Italy and the teams in the Countries of operation.
The CVM facilitated HIV/AIDS programme in the Amhara National Regional Sate has put into practice, since 1994, the integrated multi-sectoral strategy promoted by WHO/GPA and later UNAIDS. It has had considerable influence on the Ethiopian National Policy development in 1998 in adopting this strategy for implementation throughout the Country. It was the first region in Ethiopia where a multi-sectoral approach was implemented and worked. In the Amhara Regional State, the practice of the multi-sectoral approach was achieved by engaging the political leader’s commitment to the problem, capacity building of beneficiaries through: orientations, workshops and training from regional levels to grassroots, with the aim of addressing every sector of the society through the involvement of every concerned governmental office.
Today every HAPCC (HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care Councils) in the six zones in the Amhara Region comprising of 1,764 Kebeles and 61 Woredas clearly understands the National HIV/AIDS Policy, the problem of HIV/AIDS, its consequences and what is expected of them to address it through a multi-sectoral approach. Each Kebele has also trained resource persons to implement it.
The community mobilization has had an empowering impact within the society, creating a network of trained people to address the AIDS crisis. It has promoted communities to engage in low cost, high impact, sustainable activities, which now touch all walks of life right down to the rural villages. Finally the integrated multi-sectoral approach facilitated by CVM and the diversified activities has created a conducive environment for effective prevention, reduction of vulnerability and stigma and developing a caring atmosphere. The response generated with in the community demonstrates the community’s capacity to move forward to address the problem.
CBO’s, Religious institutions leaders (Orthodox and Islam), Associations, government leaders, key leaders and representatives, etc (who form part of the community) have been mobilized through capacity building to actively participate with the wider community to address the HIV/AIDS issue. These have been crucial stages for the high accomplishment of programme activities and for its development and sustainability.
Programme activities were designed to be conducted locally by trained people. For instance the cascade-approach in training permitted HIV/AIDS information and awareness to reach communities in their Kebeles, through the unpaid volunteer work of trained animators. Once the mechanism of empowering community members through setting up meetings at community level is well established and animators are committed, as the case of CVM intervention demonstrates, the programme actions and performances can last after phasing out and be run by local communities. Ownership among beneficiaries has developed and with a high level of commitment among different stakeholders at all levels. Cross sharing of experiences between civil society groups and associations has increased community capacity.
Trained teachers promotes Anti AIDS clubs in schools, students head them and teachers act as supervisors and supporters, later they even developed out of school clubs, girls clubs within smaller communities and rural villages, reaching other youth in the general community. PLWAS are trained and supported with programme writing, micro credit and to promote their capacity.
PLWAS in isolated areas meet with PLWAS associations already established, this has lead to the confidence building and the further development of new associations. Orphans associations have developed and local business people have become actively involved in skills training and financial assistance. Committees are active following training re the rights of the child. Team building at Katana level with Kebele HAPCC has promoted trained animators to share experiences and become more active in their own communities. Women following training have formed groups locally and are taking a leading role in demanding their rights and prevention and care.
CVM commenced activities in Tanzania in 2002 initiating a HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care Programme in Zanzibar with the Catholic Diocese. Intervention includes promoting the multi-sector approach over the District on the Island of Zanzibar. In Tanzania mainland the local partner is the East African Province of the Holy Ghost Fathers in Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya. CVM/APA and the EAP are working on HIV/AIDS Prevention in Kinodoni and Bagomoyo Districts. The same approach is been followed as that of Ethiopia and Zanzibar. CVM has facilitated the Zanzibar AIDS Commissions and 4 key Ministers to visit the Amhara Region, Ethiopia to understand how the multi-sectoral approach works and to witness at first had the involvement of the Islamic Religious leaders and the working together of the Islamic and Orthodox Religious leaders to address the problem of HIV.
g) Volunteers
Being a volunteering organization, CVM continues to facilitate volunteers to have an experience in Africa, to operate in the projects, contributing according to their competences, but never in a top managing role, which is normally reserved for African people. Volunteers work along side a local counterpart on a specific activity.
h) Monitoring and Evaluation
CVM undertakes monitoring of projects monthly and quarterly by Project offices backed up by the Addis Ababa Country office team and CVM Project team in Italy. Twice yearly visits are undertaken by CVM Italy Project Coordinator. Monitoring contains details on how the project is progressing in terms of expenditure, resources utilization, implementation of activities, data base of all trainings/workshops, delivery of results, community response and the management of risks. Monitoring systems provide reports on physical and financial progress, thus providing a formal documented record of what has been achieved during the reporting period, facilitating future reviews or evaluations.
Monitoring Reports contain:
- Monthly report, a brief summary of implemented activities and expenditures incurred over the period.
- Monthly – Updated list of trained people and analysis of workshops costs by major components;
- Quarterly report – Project staff meets with the participation of members of the CVM Addis Office to analyze mainly the following information: quantity/quality of activities implemented, no. of people trained, level of community involvement, percentage and age of women participating in established committees, budget utilization. A quarterly meeting will then be held with the team to analyze finding and to discuss developments and the next quarter plans. The Data available and the minutes of the meeting form the body of the report;
- Six months Report – is a structured Report but, additionally includes possible revisions of the action plan and budget to be submitted to CVM Italy (and to Donors as appropriate) for approval before proceeding with implementation.
- Yearly narrative reports, include detailed update of the project development over the periods with qualitative activity chart and financial expenditure. The annual report will focus not only on what the project itself has achieved (or not), but also on any significant changes in the “external” environment, providing also an overview of prospects for the sustainability of benefits.
It will include an updated annual plan for the next year, providing the opportunity to re-schedule results, activities and resources requirements in light of the experience gained and the lessons learned. The identification of “what” information to collect (and report) will be determined through an analysis of project objectives, stakeholders interests, capacities and expectations, institutional and management structures and decision making responsibilities. Primary emphasis will be given to the information needs of project implementers. CVM considers it important to monitor variances in outcomes between different social groups, as well as the disaggregation of data by gender, prioritizing specific vulnerable groups and disadvantaged people.
- CVM undertakes an Annual external Auditioning of all CVM Projects in Ethiopia and external audit in Italy.
i) Financial System
CVM operates the double entry system in accounts both in Ethiopia and Italy. All accounts are audited by an external auditing company in the country of operation and at Head office in Italy.
Project offices register all expenditure and on monthly basis their registration format and receipts are examined by the Administrator in the country Office in Addis Ababa. CVM Italy receives a monthly expenditure analysis and the accounts update of each project. All expenditure from projects are checked and summarized in Italy and recorded in Euro on the basis of the monthly exchange rates issued by the European Central Bank.
Financial back up and monitoring is undertaken by the Administration team of the CVM Country Office Addis Ababa. CVM Italy Director undertakes financial monitoring visits 2/3 times per year.
- Local and European Partnerships
CVM has entered into partnership with APA – AIDS Partnership with Africa, an Irish NGO, (devoted only to the elimination of AIDS in Africa) to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Ethiopia and Tanzania.
APA’s goal is to avoid the duplication of scarce resources and has thus sought a partner who is engaged in similar work with the same philosophy as APA in tackling the HIV/AIDS pandemic. APA recognises and values the people centred multi-sectoral approach and structures already established by CVM. The methodology based on Paulo Freire’s concientisation process is recognised and adhered to by both CVM and APA. Empowerment of the local people and using the structures already in place is at the core of APA/CVM interventions.
CVM is legally registered in Ethiopia since 1988 and in Tanzania since 2002. Each project has local partners ranging from the Catholic Church to local government. The implementation partners can vary and are many on the HIV/AIDS prevention programme from: Anti AIDS Clubs, Women Associations, Persons Living with HIV/AIDS Associations, Religious Institutions (Christian and Islamic), Orphan Children Associations, Youth Groups, Regional AIDS Coordinating office, Zanzibar AIDS Commission, Zanzibar Associations of Positive Persons with AIDS (ZAPA+) person Districts of Bagomoyo and Kinodoni etc…
- Details on organization of human and material resources
- CVM Organization
CVM is constituted by members, whose admission is approved by the Assembly by simple majority, upon recommendation of the Council.
Persons, who shares the Association aims and objectives to collaborate to promote their development, adhering to and observing the Statute and Regulations, can request admission to the Council.
Every member has the right to one vote, and can bear only one proxy in the voting.
Art. 7 – The Association assesses funds through membership fees and any other donation of funds
The CVM carries out self-financing activities to achieve associative aims.
The Association civil liability is limited to its patrimony.
The financial year closes on the 31st of December.
The Administrator prepares the final financial balances and the budget.
Art. 8 – The Association’s set up is as follows:
a) The Assembly;
b) The Council;
c) The President, the Vice-President and the Administrator;
d) The College of Auditors of Accounts.
Art. 10 – The Assembly deliberates upon: the final balance and budget, the annual member quotas, the Regulations for the Association running, the member admission and exclusion, the appointment of Council members, modifications of Statute and Regulation, appointment of Auditors of accounts and any other task assigned by the Law or by the Statute.
Art. 12 – The Association is administrated by the Council/Board, composed of 9 members nominated by the Assembly, with simple majority, among non-salaried members, referring to members not rewarded continuously by the Association.
The Council/Board is responsible for CVM for three years, and counsellors may be re-elected.
Art. 13 – The Council/Board meets every time the President considers appropriate to do it, or when requested by at least one third of its members, normally at least once every three months.
Art. 15 – The Association is presided over by the President or, in his absence, by the Vice-President, who:
a) Legally represents CVM – Community of Volunteers for the World;
b) Presides over the Assembly and the Council;
c) Develops check functions on the execution of assembly resolutions;
d) Signs agreements and transactions involving obligations for the Association;
e) Countersigns, with the Vice-President or the Administrator, payment orders;
Art. 16 – Administrator tasks are:
a) To legally represent the Association;
b) To attend to the execution of the Assembly and Council Resolutions;
c) To countersign, with Vice-President or Administrator, payment orders;
d) To draw up minutes of the Council and General Assembly;
e) To monitor administration and prepare budgets and financial statements to be submitted to the Council and General Assembly for approval;
Art. 17 – The College of Auditor of Account is appointed by the Assembly, apart from members of the Council. It is composed of three active members and two substitutes, at least one of the active members must be registered at Auditors List.
The auditors can be non-members of the Association, are in charge for three years and are re-eligible. The College of Auditors of Account watches over Council resolutions and over economic and financial management of the Association, check and countersigns the annual balances.