HIV/AIDS and the multiplicity of orphaned children (African Context).
Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. E11464)
Nyirenda AG In-Community Care for Orphans, Lusaka, Zambia
The world's attention on HIV/AIDS is focussed on ARVs, PLHA, VCT etc but not on the plight of orphans. We at In-Community Care for Orphans (I-CCO) feel that this class of PLHA needs urgent attention. It is said that there are over 40 million people worldwide who are infected with HIV. Over 50% of that figure talks about the Sub-Saharan region. The orphans situation in Africa is a time bomb just waiting to explode in the world's face. Much attention is being placed on street kids. In the Zambian case, most of the street kids are not orphans. All orphans in the community are eager to go to school or continue with their education if assisted. This fact is not true of street kids. 90% of street kids do not want to go back to school. Many organizations have tried to get street kids back to school but have failed. Most African grandmothers prefer looking after their children's children rather than surrender them to orphanages. In one case, a great-grand mother objected to her great grand children being taken to an orphanage. In the midst of sobs she said, "If you take these away, what will there be for me to live for? These orphans remind me of the departed. If you take them away, you will take away my life as well." The family bond is so strong that disturbing it is disturbing life itself. In fact, orphanages cannot cope with the orphans situation in southern Africa. For us at I-CCO with 1000 orphans, it costs just about 89 US cents per orphan per day (all inclusive). It is certainly cheaper to help orphans using this approach. I am fully persuaded that if the world can look critically at the orphans situation now, it will be ready to cope with greater numbers in the near future. The few (1000) that we are helping at the moment have radiant faces now and they can now look to the future with great hope of being prepared for it.
Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Infections, HIV Seropositivity, Foster Home Care, Orphanages, Family, Ethnic Groups, Weights and Measures, Schools, Family Health, Africa, Africa, Southern, Child
