Celebrating African Motherhood - Amref

SOUTH AFRICA
Orphans and Vulnerable Children Project
HIV and AIDS have had a devastating impact on the wellbeing of children
in South Africa over the last two decades. The South African National HIV
Survey, 2008, found the prevalence of infection among children aged
2-14 to be 2.5 per cent. It is estimated that by 2015, 5.6 million children
under the age of 18 will have lost one or both parents to an HIV-related
illness. The process of orphanhood often starts long before the death of the
parent. Children are made vulnerable by the fact that they live with and
are often responsible for the care of terminally ill family members. This
compromises their access to health care, education and social support.
Their vulnerability is compounded by the fact that many communities with
high HIV prevalence also have high rates of poverty.
Women and young girls are especially vulnerable to HIV – 56 per cent of
all infections are in women. They also suff er the extra burden of providing
care, yet their low social and economic status gives them less ways and
means to deal with this role eff ectively. Women have less power to speak
out about the issues that aff ect them and advocate for the resources they
need to cope with the increasing pressures of HIV on their health and wellbeing.
The rapid growth of the HIV epidemic in South Africa has made it necessary
to expand the focus of response activities from prevention and treatment
to a wider, integrated approach which, among other things, addresses the
health, education, welfare and psycho-social needs of children, and how
these can be met within a supportive community setting. In this regard,
AMREF in South Africa, through its Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC)
Project, is working with key stakeholders in Sekhukhune District, Limpopo
Province and Umkhanyakude District, KwaZulu Natal Province to provide
an environment in which children can get comprehensive, compassionate
care, support and services. This includes strengthening collaboration
between, and building the capacity of, local service providers, Government
departments and civil society groups to promote the wellbeing and
interests of children. By linking the various players, AMREF helps to
minimise duplication and overlapping of services, and facilitates setting up
of referral channels so that children’s needs are addressed as effi ciently as
possible.
AMREF’s programme also provides support for primary care givers,
including HIV-positive mothers, grandmothers and guardians, through
counselling, teaching them how to take care of sick family members, and
encouraging them to form support groups. In Sekhukhune District, AMREF
works with 4,350 children, aged between 0-18.
FACTS AND FIGURES
• AMREF is working with 13,500 orphans in Limpopo and
KwaZulu Natal Provinces
• 233 community health workers have been trained to work
with orphans and vulnerable children
• 56 per cent of all HIV infections are in women and girls.
• It is estimated that by 2015, 5.6 million children under
the age of 18 will have lost one or both parents to an HIVrelated
illness
DONORS
• PEPFAR
• Department of Social Development of Limpopo Province
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