Focus on Uganda
Some estimates put the number of orphans in Uganda at 2.6 million. Many of these are homeless and living on the streets, vulnerable to abuse, crime and prostitution. Others are living in child-headed homes with older siblings having the responsibility to care for younger brothers and sisters after the death of their parents.
Others are living with friends and relatives who simply do not have the financial resources to provide adequate care. Such is the scale of the orphan problem in Africa that those that are well cared for and living in orphanages or good foster homes are a minority. See full article
Orphan Crisis
Every fourth family in Uganda is caring for an orphan and thus the impact of OVC is of enormous societal consequence. Almost 10% of the total population are orphans, and 15% of the total population aged 0-14 years.
Some estimates put the number of orphans in Uganda at 2.6 million. Many of these are homeless and living on the streets, vulnerable to abuse, crime and prostitution. Others are living in child-headed homes with older siblings having the responsibility to care for younger brothers and sisters after the death of their parents. Others are living with friends and relatives who simply do not have the financial resources to provide adequate care. Such is the scale of the orphan problem in Africa that those that are well cared for and living in orphanages or good foster homes are a minority. See full article
HIV AIDS Crisis
A child dies from an HIV/AIDS related illnesses every minute. Approximately 2,000 children are infected with HIV every day. Millions of children around the world are affected by the crisis relating to HIV/AIDS. Children in the midst of their community silently witness their families, relatives, teachers and people in their neighbourhood suffering and dying from this devastating and stigmatising disease.
Consequently many children miss out on their own childhoods because of the extra responsibilities they bear and the economic and social insecurity that results from the sickness or death of their parents or caregivers.
There are numerous child-headed households where children are too young to even look after themselves. The oldest child takes on responsibilities usually carried out by parents, including providing care to other siblings. Young caregivers in child-headed households usually drop out of school to work for survival.
In addition, they and their siblings are often shunned by family, neighbours and friends because of the stigma attached to HIV/AIDS and children orphaned by HIV/AIDS. These children are often stigmatized and discriminated against, and are exposed to abuse and exploitation. See full article