AIDS and HIV in Sub Saharan Africa
Impacted Children
By: Regan Crooks
Children Orphaned by AIDS
- In Sub Saharan Africa of 32 million children, 11 million of them have been orphaned by AIDS and HIV.
- In the year 2011 alone, 1.2 million adults and children died as a result of AIDS.
- Since the beginning of this epidemic, it is estimated that over 15 million Africans have died from AIDS and HIV.
Photo above
Millions of children are orphaned by AIDS and HIV, losing mothers, fathers, and family members.
Children Impacted by AIDS and HIV
Did you know....
- More children in Africa have been orphaned by AIDS/HIV then anywhere else in the world.
- More than 1,000 children are newly affected by AIDS everyday, and of those over half will die.
Responsibilities
Many children are left in charge to take care of younger siblings when their parents pass away.
Surving Together
Many of the children who lose their families are left alone with their siblings.
Young orphans
There are many children who lose there parents, when they are infants and toddlers.
Childhood Lost
When parents with AIDS/HIV die, it leaves the children with huge responsibility, most of them either have to take on jobs to provide income for there family that is still left, or they are simply are forced out on the "streets" alone fending for themselves.
Homes for the Orphans
Though it may seem like a long ways away Africa's orphans are finding homes. Many children at first are lucky enough to be taken in by church camps and distant relatives, but others are not so lucky, being left alone starving and hungry.
Helping Hands
Fortunately, there are people who are willing to help. Many people are leaving America and going to Africa to open orphanages. There are also organizations who are building homes, offering education, and feeding the orphaned children. For example SOS Children AIDS in the video below...
SOS Children AIDS Orphans video