HIV/AIDS ORPHANS

HIV/AIDS continues to  destroy the social and economic fabric of societies in sub-Saharan Africa. Most of the people affected lie within  the age brackets of 15-49. It was estimated that by the end of 2009, 22.5 million people were living with HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa, including 2.3 million children. About 90% of more than 16 million children orphaned by AIDS live in Africa. In Kenya alone, 180,000 children are HIV+. About 1.2 million have been orphaned due to AIDS.

The greatest challenge facing Kenya now is how to take care of the ever increasing number of AIDS orphans. There is the real danger that unless they are given an opportunity to be raised as normal children, they will grow to become dysfunctional adults, causing dire consequences to the stability of the society.
Most children orphaned due to HIV/AIDS have huge psychological problems which often lead to destructive behaviors. It too harsh for these young minds to experience losing parents or a family member, fend for themselves or become heads of households, or drop out of school altogether. The psychological impact of these events is what leads to risky behavior that can make them more likely to become infected by the virus.
I believe it is our duty as Christians to do whatever it takes to help shape the destiny of these children. They find themselves in a problem not of their own making. How would you like your children to be treated if you suddenly died?