Helping Victims of AIDS
According to the Center for Disease and Control 2014 report, Sub-Saharan Africa, carries the “heaviest burden of HIV/AIDS worldwide and accounts for 66% of all new HIV infections.” Generations of families are being tragically lost through AIDS making Sub-Saharan Africa home to 85% of the AIDS orphans in the world.
The victims of AIDS are those who have suffered a loss due to the AIDS epidemic. It does not mean they have AIDS. They can be fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, or grandparents who suffer the emotional, physical, or financial blows of losing someone they love to AIDS. As the AIDS epidemic rages in Africa, generations of people will be lost to a disease that can be managed, prevented and treated through medication and education.
AIDS Education
Often, our focus on HIV/AIDS education is directed towards schools or large church groups. Aid Africa’s Children conducted an HIV/AIDS education and management clinic for pregnant women in Tarime, Tanzania. We explain why it’s important to be be compliant about taking their medication to reduce the virus being transmitted to their unborn babies.
Many of of the pregnant women fear medication side effects. The fear of AIDS is overwhelming. We answer questions on how it is transmitted and how they can protect themselves. They fear taking any medication related to AIDS. We instruct them on how to take their medications correctly, the benefits of taking the medication, and explain the consequences to their unborn babies if they are not diligent about taking their meds.
Aid Africa’s Children helped organize an AIDS conference in Nigeria with many African church groups. They have also lectured about AIDS education to upper grade students at Sjambok Schools in South Africa.
Helping AIDS Orphans
Aid Africa’s Children has supported the Soul Sparkles, orphaned children who are head of households who care for their young siblings. They have offered emergency food packages, a weekly support group to create a sense of community, and the personal encouragement and mentoring of a caring adults.
Emergency Ambulance Fund
Paying for an ambulance to the hospital during a major health crisis will often prevent the remaining family members from having food for several months. Most of the villagers cannot afford such “luxuries” for their families. This is why Aid Africa’s Children established an emergency hospital transportation fund at Sophie’s Creche. If paying for a “cab” or ambulance to the hospital is going to prevent a family from eating for months, this immediately escalates a serious health emergency into a life or death situation.