The OVC Database is designed to generate the quarterly, biannual and annual reports required by USAID as defined in the South Africa Strategic Information (SASI) Manual. However, the software contains a number of generic reports and custom designed queries, that can be used for other funders or internal M&E purposes. The database was first developed for a CBO called Senzakwenzeke, under the auspices of Oxfam GB's Sustainable Livelihoods Program at Nkandla. Later the Children in Distress Network (CINDI) developed the database further for their members in KwaZulu-Natal. USAID purchased the database from CINDI in 2008 for their beneficiary organizations working with orphans and vulnerable children. With the assistance of Pact SA and later FHI360, it is currently, or has recently, been used by Child Welfare South Africa, Childline MP & LP, Starfish Greathearts Foundation, Noah, CINDI, Woza Bona and about 20 to 30 other NGOs and CBOs in South Africa. The database has three sub-databases, namely households, schools and institutions. The households and schools databases are designed for organizations working directly with children in households or schools respectively. The institutions database can group children into any generic cluster such as a drop-in center, soccer club, care-worker, or partner CBO. Past and Present Users  Requirements The database is written in Microsoft Access and requires MS Office (Professional) to run. It has been tested using Office XP, 2003, 2007, 2010 and 2013. If you would like to use the database outside South Africa, you will need to populate the Area table with the geographic boundaries used in your country. MS Access has certain networking limitations. To use the database on a server with multiple users, it needs to be split with one master back-end and a front-end for each user (please see the User Manual for instructions on how to do this). If your organization needs to network across sites, please consider using MS Terminal Services to access the database, or consider using the Cloud-Based version of the OVC Database. Instructions The database (usaid_[version_no].mdb) and associated help file (User Manual.chm) should be unzipped and should sit side-by-side in their folder. The printable version of the user manual (Users manual-Module 1.docx) can be placed anywhere. When you open the database you will be prompted for a password. Currently the database has a very basic password system to prevent unauthorized users from viewing your data. The initial database password is usaid and the administrator password is admin (both are case sensitive). These can be changed later. Recent versions of Office will give a security warning after the database password has been entered. The method of enabling content is shown below. (This warning can be eliminated later by setting up database folder as a trusted zone). To access the help file click F10 from the opened database. Using the database for the first time |
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