The World Health Organization estimates that more than 15.6 million children under 10 years of age in Sub Sahara Africa have lost one parent or both due to AIDS during the 1990’s. Studies have shown these orphans are more vulnerable to sickness, malnutrition, physical maltreatment, illiteracy, unemployment, lost of inheritance, forced migration, homelessness, crime and increased exposure to HIV/AIDS. In response to this crisis of children orphaned by AIDS, PLAN International has invested in a Partnership Program in Zimbabwe to strengthen community capacities to protect orphaned children’s rights. Experience has shown that HIV/AIDS projects in the community must work on a continuum between HIV prevention and AIDS care. A major program objective is to extend child/parent relationships for as long as possible. It encourages early detection through AIDS testing /counseling centers and assists the affected individual to do “succession planning” on behalf of children. Post-test clubs, legal counseling and micro-enterprise assistance are made available to the affected individuals. The program supports home-care for persons with AIDS, through partnerships with the MOH. Once the parent dies, home visits provide support to guardians and caregivers to orphans. Visits also can detect children experiencing intense grief or social rejection. The partnership involves MOH, community leaders, schools, churches and local CBOs or NGOs. PLAN Zimbabwe has found that effective strategies require compassion, decisive leadership and bold actions in bringing together different community groups so that AIDS orphans might have the same hope and opportunities enjoyed by those children who are not orphaned.
Learning Objectives: Increase participant’s awareness of lessons learned in PLAN Zimbabwe AIDS orphan program and the technical framework used in support to the community response
Keywords: Community Response, Children With Special Needs
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: PLAN International
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employment: I'm the Senior Health Program Coordinator of PLAN International at the Headquarters level