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20Annual Report 2010Concerned about the environmentIn partnership with Oxfam GB Uganda, Save theChildren in Uganda, Care International in Uganda,World Vision continued to implement the AfricaClimate Change Resilience Alliance Project (ACCRA),a nation-wide advocacy initiative dealing with issuesof climate change.Child protection promoted to a higher levelDuring the year under review, WVU continued tobuild partnerships and networks that promotedchild protection. Working with the Uganda ChildRights NGO Network (UCRNN), Save the Childrenin Uganda, Plan International, UNICEF and UNFPA,proposals to amend the Birth and Death Act anddevelop a policy on child registration were pushedand later on approved by the Cabinet.Working with Save the Children in Uganda and theUganda Law Reform Commission, WVU advocatedfor amending the Children’s Act to and abolishcorporal punishment and strengthen child adoption.World Vision used the Day of the African Child, 16June to partner with the Ministry of Gender, Labourand Social Development to profile children issues.During 2010 children were mobilized to write amemorandum highlighting solutions to problemsthey face and this was handed over to the Ministerof Youth and Children’s Affairs.Busia: A case of successful interventions for childprotectionChild protection systems in Busia Town CouncilWorld Vision Uganda worked with partners to strengthenthe child protection systems in Busia Town Council. Childfocusedorganizations formed the District Orphansand Vulnerable Children Coalition Committee, whichdeveloped a system for referring cases of child abuse,resulting in an increase in the number of cases reported.Child friendly shelter in Busia borderWVU and the Uganda Police established a child-friendlyshelter and counseling centre at Busia Police Stationin Busia town on the Uganda-Kenya border whereabandoned children or children in need of protectionsleep. Before, such children would either sleep at thePolice counter or in the Police cells. Children are at riskin Busia, known for its cross-border trade, child traffickingand child prostitution. The police officers have also beentrained in child-friendly handling of child abuse cases.Piloting an alternative to police backgroundcheckWorld Vision piloted a child protection project in BusiaADPs to implement an alternative to police backgroundchecks. In March 2010, a child protection monthlytracking template was distributed and tested in theBusia projects in Busia Town Council, Busitema, Lunyo andNankoma in Bugiri district. A child abuse incident reportformat was developed and shared with staff. Incidents ofchild abuse can be reported to UGA_Child_Protection@WorldVision.Bye-laws barring bars and video halls fromadmitting children – Busia Town Council enactedthese bye-laws. Policing of the law is effectively done byChild Protection Committees together with the Police.Child Protection Handbook – The District ProbationOffice, with support from World Vision, came up witha child protection handbook for child abuse caseintervention.