HIV and Orphans

Support for HIV orphans in Lesotho

‘It’s appalling that so many children are growing up without the kind of emotional anchor that leads to a life of stability. The increased spiral of adult deaths in so many countries means that the number of children orphaned each day is expanding exponentially. Africa is staggering under the load.’ Stephen Lewis, UN secretary general’s special envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa.

Global Primary Care is providing tuition and basic living supplies to orphans in Lesotho, with age ranges of 1 to 15 years of age. Though we acknowledge we are only scratching the surface of this heart-wrenching situation, it is a start.

Worldwide, it is estimated that more than 15 million children under 18 have been orphaned as a result of AIDS. More than 12 million of these children live in Sub-Saharan Africa, where it is currently estimated that 9% of all children have lost at least one parent to AIDS. 1 Six thousand more - of which over a third are under five years old - are orphaned by HIV every day. It is predicted that by 2010, HIV will have killed one or both parents of 25 million children worldwide. 2 The age of orphans is fairly consistent across countries. Surveys suggest that overall about 15% of orphans are 0-4 years old, 35% are 5-9 years old, and 50% are 10-14 years old. 3

Apart from the emotional distress caused by the loss of a parent, most of these orphans live in environments where the deaths of their parents will only expose them to further suffering: economic hardship, withdrawal from school, malnutrition, and illness. Many orphans are at increased risk of abuse, both physical and sexual. And such vulnerability leaves them correspondingly more vulnerable to contracting HIV themselves.

Children orphaned by AIDS may miss out on school enrolment, have their schooling interrupted or perform poorly in school as a result of their situation. Expenses such as school fees and school uniforms present major barriers, since many orphans’ caregivers cannot afford these costs. 4 Extended families sometimes see school fees as a major factor in deciding not to take on additional children orphaned by AIDS. 5 AIDS orphans may also leave school to attend to ill family members, work or to look after young siblings. Even before the death of a parent, children may miss out on educational opportunities; research in Kenya suggests that children of HIV-positive parents are significantly less likely to attend school than other children. 6

Outside of school, AIDS orphans may also miss out on valuable life-skills and practical knowledge that would have been passed on to them by their parents. Without this knowledge and a basic school education, children may be more likely to face social, economic and health problems as they grow up. 7

Millions of children have already lost at least one parent as a result of the AIDS epidemic, and millions more are likely to over the next few years. There is an urgent need to help, care and protect these children. Few orphans are able to pay their school and training fees. Many have to care for others in the home where they live. Many have to work to support themselves or younger siblings dependent on them. Many carry responsibilities well beyond their capabilities as children. Most of these orphans are excluded from the joy and gaiety of a normal childhood. Economically and psychologically, they have needs that differ from those of other children in school, needs to which the school must necessarily respond. Our program is aimed at supporting the children in the environment in which they live by supporting their school fees. Schools can play a crucial role in improving the prospects of AIDS orphans and securing their future. A good school education can give children a higher self-esteem, better job prospects and economic independence. As well as lifting children out of poverty, such an education can also give children a better understanding of HIV and AIDS, decreasing the risk that they will become infected. Schools can also offer benefits to AIDS orphans outside of education, such as emotional support and care.

References

  1. UNAIDS, ‘2006 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic‘, Chapter 4: the impact of AIDS on people and societies
  2. UNAIDS/ UNICEF/ USAID, ‘Children on the Brink 2004: A joint report of new orphan estimates and a framework for action‘
  3. Monasch and J. Ties Boerma (2004), ‘Orphanhood and childcare patterns in Sub-Saharan Africa: an analysis of national surveys from 40 countries‘, AIDS 18 (suppl. 2): S55-S65
  4. Unicef (2006), ‘Africa’s Orphaned and Vulnerable Generations: Children Affected by AIDS’
  5. N. R. Matshalaga (2002), ‘Mass Orphanhood in the era of HIV/AIDS‘ BMJ 2002;324:185-186
  6. Mishra V., Arnold F. et al. (2005), ‘Education and nutritional status of orphans and children of HIV-infected parents in Kenya’, No.24, ORC Macro, Demographic and Health Research Division, Calverton, Maryland
  7. Salaam T., Congressional Research Service (2005), ‘AIDS orphans and vulnerable children (OVC): problems, responses and issues for congress‘

Fund-raising target for school tuition and supplies to Lesotho orphans - $25,000