Give a Child Identity: Birth Registration Africa

Dear Supporters,

Having an identity has never been more important. Yet, there are millions of children whose birth is not registered, and therefore not recognised. If a child’s birth is not registered, they are not issued with a birth certificate, and without a birth certificate, the child does not have a legal identity. Without a legal identity, their civil rights are violated. 

Many children across Africa lack a birth certificate, and consequently they lack a legal identity. Without a legal identity children cannot access education, healthcare, legal services. In addition, they are not able to open bank accounts, pay taxes, get drivers licences, get married or travel across borders. The consequences of not having a legal identity are therefore extensive and therefore often just the case for people living in extreme poverty. Whilst the cost of a birth certificate is often small, the ability to travel to register birth for people living in rural areas is often too expensive. Consequently the children will not form part of the system, and be able to access the benefits which form part of such a system. Thus, in the light of COVID-19 and its health as well as economic side-effects are making the situation worse for those living in poverty. As people are no longer able to earn a living due to lockdowns or restrictions, more families are forced into poverty, and less families will be able to afford to travel to register the birth of their children. What makes the issue worse is the importance of a safety net, in particular healthcare, during the time of a pandemic. 

This is why the GVI Trust is taking on greater responsibility of assisting families living in poverty in rural areas in getting the logistical and emotional support needed to register the birth of children. This is a task which is not always easy in case a child is considered an orphan as it would further involve finding witnesses which will vouch for the child's identity, a process where GVI together with their partners gets involved.

It is every child’s right to have a birth certificate. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 16.9 target goal is to provide legal identity for all including birth registration by 2030. This project therefore seeks to turn the promises of SDGs into reality through assisting vulnerable children with transport and other logistics needed to acquire birth certificates. By donating $10 you are not only providing a child with a legal identity but with the possibility to access governmental services such as school and healthcare.

Thank you to our Donors, Fundraisers and Supporters! 

With Gratitude,

Africa Paperless Children

Dear Supporters,

It is every child’s right to have a birth certificate. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 16.9 target goal is to provide legal identity for all including birth registration by 2030. This project therefore seeks to turn the promises of SDGs into reality through assisting vulnerable children with transport and other logistics needed to acquire birth certificates. 

In January, the GVI Trust committed to support 50 children in gaining a legal identity which would allow them to access government resources such as public education, healthcare and later in life be able to get drivers licences, open bank accounts, travel and much more.

The GVI Trust is collaborating with local NGOs and government officials to provide Zimbabwean children without a legal identity with birth certificates. This initially involved collaborating with social workers to identify paperless children in rural parts of Zimbabwe. Once the beneficiaries had been identified, a case opened for each child to find people who would vouch for the children's identity. Finally, the GVI Trust worked with grassroots organisations to provide the transport needed into Harare to sign and receive the paperwork. In addition, experienced staff provided emotional support to the children and their extended family during the paperwork process which can be quite intense. This three stage process required the involvement of government officials, local NGOs, the GVI Trust as well as the beneficiaries. Whilst the process is temporarily put on hold due to covid-19. The GVI Trust managed to secure that nine children got birth certificates prior to Zimbabwe implementing a national lockdown.As covid-19 is sweeping across the world, birth certificates have never been more important as children need to be able to access healthcare services in case of emergency. 

It is with your continued support that we can make an impactful and long-lasting impact in the community by tackling the root causes of lack of education and healthcare. We are grateful for your generosity and it goes without saying that the GVI Trust and all its donors, play a vital role in making a sustainable and impacting difference to the lives of many children across Zimbabwe. 

Thank you to our Donors, Fundraisers and Supporters! 

With Gratitude,

Africa Paperless Children