Africa remains the region most affected by HIV and AIDS globally.
People Living with HIV/AIDS worldwide: 35 million
People Living with HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa: 25 million
- 68% of the world’s infected people reside in Africa
- 61% of the world’s infected women are in Africa
- 90% of the 16.6 million AIDS orphans globally are in Africa
- 91% of new infections in children 0-17 world wide are in Africa
ZAMBIA
- In Zambia, 19% of children under age 17 are orphans
- Zambia’s population 14,100,000
- Total number of orphans, by all cause: 1,200,000
- Orphaned by AIDS 670,000
- other major causes: Cervical cancer, malaria, extreme poverty
The death of parents poses enormous nutritional, health, educational, social and economic challenges to Africa’s children. Many of them become heads of families at a tender age and must leave school to care for their siblings. With the widespread use of anti-retroviral treatment, more HIV positive parents are able to survive and care for their children. Yet the orphan problem remains, particularly children with special needs. SPCS is paying special attention to the needs of these children.
The St. Peter Claver Society supports orphans in Africa by:
- Raising awareness about the plight of orphans
- Holding fundraising events and collecting donations for treatments and supports
Video on overview of HIV/AIDS in Africa
