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| An AIDS widow who has contracted a flesh eating virus with two of her children |
Children orphaned by HIV/AIDS face not only the loss of one of both of their parents and
possibly being infected themselves, they are are at an extreme risk of being physically or sexually exploited, neglected,
and outcast from society. In most cases they drop out of school and face an uncertain and precarious future.
$20 a month can buy food, clothing, and education for an AIDS orphan,
or a child whose family has been affected by AIDS.
| An HIV-infected woman, with her sick baby |
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| A KAIPPG Volunteer hands out bananas to a group of AIDS orphans. |
"HIV/AIDS is a national disaster for the
people of Kenya, children
and adults alike.
Kenya has the ninth- highest rate of HIV in
the world, with 14% of the population affected.
The
estimated l million orphans represent only
a fraction of the children affected by AIDS,
which includes children withdrawn
from school to care for a sick relative, those in families
caring for orphans, and those who have become the breadwinners
to replace the income of a sick parent."
Excerpt from "Kenya: In the Shadow
of Death: HIV/AIDS and Children's Rights
in Kenya", a June 2001 Human Rights Watch Report
(see http://www.hrw.org for the full report)
KAIPPG is currently trying to help not only orphans and
youth, but also the widows and women affected by HIV/AIDS. One 72-year-old grandmother has been left with 4 grandchildren
to care for, and all have had to drop out of school. They are entirely dependent on charity, as are two grandmothers in their
mid-60's, whose 4 sons and 3 of their wives are dead, and they are trying to care for 15 orphans.
All are severely malnourished, and they are in danger of
losing their ancestral land, which could support their nutritional needs if they were able to buy the land, for a mere
$50.
A 65-year-old widow--who has lost 3 daughters, a son, and
all of their spouses-- has 6 children to support, and all are living in dire poverty, with no access to medication, education,
or proper nutrition.
We are currently developing a monthly
giving program to help orphaned and
vulnerable children. Please see this page
for upcoming details, or
go to our "Donations"
page to find out how you
can contribute.
Many Thanks!
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