A mother and child who are part of the HIV…
In his address on World Aids Day 2005, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan makes it clear that the successful fight against the spread of Aids is essential so as to attain all the other development goals, the UN Millenium Development Goals.
- Lisa
-
A mother and child who are part of the HIV prevention programme in Lusaka, Zambia.
In his address on World Aids Day 2005, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan makes it clear that the successful fight against the spread of Aids is essential so as to attain all the other development goals, the UN Millenium Development Goals.
The social support programmes of SOS Children's Villages primarily focus on efforts to help children and young people whose future is at stake as a consequence of HIV/Aids. This could be because their parents are infected with the virus and they are the main carers, or because the children are HIV positive.
The number of social support programmes and SOS Social Centres that organise support is rising steadily. In 2005, there were 57 SOS Social Centres and social support programmes working with children affected by HIV/Aids on the African continent. By the late-2007, the number of projects/centres was 78. These include numerous schools, vocational training centres, medical centres throught the world that are actively involved in Aids awareness.
There is also a remarkable new initiative by the SOS Social and Medical Centre in Nairobi, Kenya. This year, the "Haven of Love" was founded there, which is a protected space for those afflicted by HIV/Aids and HIV positive children aged three to fourteen.
Studies show that life expectancy in HIV positive children increases with proper psychological care. This also includes informing them on their illness which many parents do not do out of fear that their children will suffer exclusion.
The "Haven of Love" offers games therapy, outdoor activities, nutrition programmes, family days, information seminars for children and much more. Besides HIV positive children, children whose parents or brothers and sisters have contracted Aids are the second target group.
One of the main goals pursued by "Haven of Love" and all family strengthening programmes run by SOS Children's Villages in the area of HIV/Aids prevention, counselling, support services and care is to help the children cope with the disease in the family context and to provide emotional stability.
SOS Children's Villages runs social support projects, SOS Social Centres and medical centres for children afflicted by HIV/Aids and their families in South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Kenya, Niger, Benin, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Lesotho, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Swaziland, Togo, Uganda, Ukraine und Estonia, among others. The end of this year shall see 27,000 children and young people receive support in the context of these activities.
- Mary
-
Neighbourhood of a boy who is a beneficiary of the HIV/AIDS prevention programme, South Africa.
The SOS Children's Villages in Pietermaritzburg (Province of KwaZulu Natal) and in Cape Town, support thousands of children with their families.
In KwaZulu Natal, a number of campaigns have been organised to raise awareness on the fate of children afflicted by HIV/Aids and their families.
SOS Children's Villages directly provides social support to children and their (mostly) large families. There are many cases where one or even both parents have died, or there are only the grandparents left to care for the children, or the children and their brothers and sisters have to look after themselves.
The social support can checks children are going to school or offers vocational training for older children. At a more basic level there is medical care, and financial resources available to support small buisnesses, and guidance with legal issues.
Share: