WHAT WE DO
Building Families, Not Institutions
We work to keep children where they belong by addressing the root causes of family separation—not just its symptoms. To ensure every child grows up in a family, we work through three interconnected strategies. Together, these strategies address the root causes of family separation at the family, child, and systems levels.
Strengthen Families
We prevent family separation by addressing the root causes that place children at risk of entering residential care. Through holistic family strengthening initiatives, we equip caregivers with the skills, support, and resources they need to build safe, stable, and nurturing homes—helping children remain in the care of their families.
Parent trainings · Savings groups · Income-generating opportunities · Agriculture · Trust-Based Relational Intervention®
Family level
Reunite Children
Once children are in residential care, we work to get them back where they truly belong—in families. We provide coaching and technical support to orphanages, guiding them through the shift from residential care to family-based care. Together, we strengthen family tracing, child assessments, individualized care planning, and safe family placements, helping ensure children and families receive the support they need to reunite and remain together.
Child level
Transform Care
We work to reshape the systems that care for vulnerable children so family-based care becomes the norm, not the exception. As part of the global care reform movement, we collaborate with organizations, churches, governments, practitioners, and advocates to advance family-based care. Through training, technical support, shared learning, and collaboration, we help build the knowledge, capacity, and partnerships needed to move away from reliance on residential care and toward stronger families and communities.
Training · Technical support · Shared learning · Advocacy
System level
Strengthening Families
We prevent family separation by addressing the root causes that place children at risk of entering residential care. Through holistic family strengthening initiatives, we equip caregivers with the skills, support, and resources they need to build safe, stable, and nurturing homes.
Reuniting Children
Once children are already in orphanages, we work to get those children back into families. We coach and support orphanages through the process of moving from residential care to family-based care while ensuring the needs of each child are met.
Transforming Care
We work to change the systems that care for vulnerable children by putting families at the heart of the solution. Through training, technical support, and collaboration, we equip orphanages, organizations, churches, governments, and communities to embrace family-based care.
OUR APPROACH
The principles that guide everything we do
Our approach at Otem Collective impacts every decision we make as we strive to ensure children grow up in families.
Child-Centered
Our primary focus is on the child. We prioritize their rights, needs, and well-being in every decision we make.
Family-Focused
Families are at the core of our work. We prioritize family-based care and creating environments where families can provide nurturing homes.
Trauma-Informed
We recognize and understand the role trauma plays in a person’s story. Our interventions are sensitive, supportive, and trauma-informed.
Community-Based
We recognize that communities play a vital role in supporting families. We tap into the strength, resources, and connections within communities.
Strengths-Based
We focus on the inherent strengths of each individual, family, and community. We come alongside local organizations and networks, recognizing they have strengths we don’t.
Holistic
We look at the child as part of a larger system, which includes family and community systems, and we look at the whole child—physical, mental, social, emotional, and spiritual.
Evidence-Based
We utilize approaches supported by evidence and rooted in best practice, continually reviewing and incorporating the latest research.
Children and families are not viewed in isolation but in connection with the community and surrounding environment.
Contributing to the UN SDGs
Otem Collective contributes to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, tying in with Goal 1 (eradicating poverty) and Goal 16 (promoting peaceful and inclusive societies). Through family strengthening programs and strategic partnerships, we support vulnerable children and families, helping to create lasting change in the communities we serve. Our efforts aim to reshape the care for orphaned and vulnerable children, aligning with these global goals for a more sustainable and just future.
Want to reshape the way the world cares for orphaned and vulnerable children?
Join us on this journey as we work to make sure every child has the opportunity to grow up in a family.
Want to reshape the way the world cares for orphaned and vulnerable children?
Join us on this journey as we work to make sure every child has the opportunity to grow up in a family.