Thirty years ago it was unknown. Today HIV and AIDS is a worldwide pandemic and it’s feeding a downward poverty cycle.

In many developing countries, HIV and AIDS forces millions of children to watch their parents die. Over 14 million children worldwide have been orphaned by HIV and AIDS. Although these children themselves may be free of HIV and AIDS, they are not free from its impacts. Living alone they have to take care of themselves and their siblings. In many cases grandparents and relatives, who already have trouble providing for themselves, are forced to become ‘parents’ again.

Children in Crisis – HIV and AIDS is supporting a number of projects around the world to help educate people and communities so that they can combat the effects of this devastating disease. HIV and AIDS is a daily reality for millions of children – you can help them!

Location: Blantyre, Malawi

Blantyre District has the highest rate of HIV/AIDS prevalence in Malawi.

Almost half of the children in the Blantyre HIV/AIDS programme have lost parents to AIDS.World Vision has an area development programme (ADP) in the city of Blantyre. Almost half of the children in this programme have lost one or both parents to AIDS. Most of these orphans lack basic essentials, such as food, clothing, school supplies, medical attention and shelter.

The Blantyre Urban HIV/AIDS Project helps those dying of HIV/AIDS, gives practical support and care to orphans, and educates the community, especially the youth, on how to avoid HIV infection. Community members also learn how to care for people infected with HIV/AIDS and to give comfort, love and hope to the survivors.

Location: Rwanda

Rwanda is a country that has endured more than its fair share of trauma in the last 15 years. The horrors of the 1994 genocide are only compounded by the ongoing tragedy of poverty, and the HIV and AIDS epidemic.

In Kabuga and Tubehoneza Area Development Programmes in Rwanda there is enormous need for additional care of those affected by HIV and AIDS, as well as preventative measures such as education.

World Vision Children in Crisis funds education of school children aimed at preventing the spread of the disease. World Vision begins by educating trainers who in turn educate teachers, their students and community members.

In addition to prevention education, World Vision attends to the urgent needs of people living with HIV and AIDS, as well as children orphaned or left vulnerable because of the disease. This includes providing such things as healthcare, educational assistance and economic empowerment e.g. through vocational training.

World Vision works to establish Community Care Coalitions that assist in caring for the sick and these children. The coalitions are effective because they help ensure the long-term sustainability of the programme, once World Vision has moved out of the region.

The Kabuga and Tubehoneza HIV and AIDS projects are improving the quality of life of people, including children, and could not happen without the financial support of Children in Crisis donors.

Location: Tanzania

In Tanzania, practically the entire population is affected by HIV and AIDS one way or another. Thos that are not living with HIV themselves have usually either lost a loved one to AIDS or are caring for someone who has it.

It leaves behind a generation of children without parents to care for them, who are forced to rely on already poverty-stricken grandparents or extended family. Many children end up running their own households, dropping out of school to care for their siblings.

World Vision Children in Crisis funds a project in Kagera, Tanzania aimed at helping orphans and vulnerable children, and people living with HIV and AIDS.

For children who have lost loved ones, World Vision provides counselling support, health care, educational assistance and economic empowerment e.g. through vocational training.

World Vision works to establish Community Care Coalitions that assist in caring for these children, in addition to providing community education to prevent the spread of the disease and eliminate its social stigma. The coalitions are effective because they help ensure the long-term sustainability of the programme, once World Vision has moved out of the region.

The Kagera support programme is improving the quality of life of thousands of people, including children, and could not happen without the financial support of Children in Crisis donors.

Location: Rwanda

Rwanda is a country that has endured more than its fair share of trauma in the last 15 years. The horrors of the 1994 genocide are only compounded by the ongoing tragedy of poverty, and the HIV and AIDS epidemic.

In urban areas of Kigali, the capital city, World Vision is addressing the problem of HIV and AIDS.

World Vision Children in Crisis funds a project aimed at raising awareness and preventing the spread of the disease in youth, as well as providing home-based care to those affected by it.

Trainers are educated and youth clubs, churches and other community-based organisations are provided with the teaching and tools they need to demystify the disease amongst young people. This is the first step to reducing the prevalence of HIV and AIDS in the community.

For children who have lost loved ones, World Vision is establishing Community Care Coalitions to provide counselling support, health care, educational assistance and economic empowerment e.g. through vocational training. The coalitions are effective because they help ensure the long-term sustainability of the programme, once World Vision has moved out of the region.

HIV and AIDS prevention and care projects, such as this one, are critical to give the people of Rwanda hope for the future. They could not happen without the financial support of Children in Crisis donors.