Creating a promise of hope for the orphaned and vulnerable children of our society
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Lusaka
10101
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Why We Exist
Over the past two decades, the spread of HIV/AIDS around the world has emerged as one of the biggest threats to personal, social and economic development. HIV/AIDS has caused ill-health and death amongst parents, leading to rapid expansion in the number of orphans. An estimated 12.3 million children under the age of 18 have lost a parent to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.
As families and communities struggle to cope with the emotional and economic burden of sickness and death, children bear the brunt of the problems. Having a sick parent and/or being orphaned leaves children vulnerable to diseases, and jeopardises access to education and training. The trauma and distress of losing a parent is hard for children to bear, and is made worse by the stigma and even discrimination faced by those affected by HIV/AIDS. The effects of HIV/AIDS have increased the number of children facing exceptionally difficult problems; street children, children without adequate adult protection and care, children vulnerable to exploitation and abuse, and to HIV infection.
Although not all vulnerable children are affected by HIV/AIDS or orphaned, extreme poverty in Zambia and Africa at large threatens the wellbeing and future of many children whether or not their parents may be alive. Many children lack access to basic education and are being forced into unsuitable and often dangerous work. This leaves children vulnerable to exploitation and sexual abuse and denies them their basic human rights. Poor environmental health and nutrition further impairs their opportunity for a productive and successful life.
