AIDS in Africa
Across Africa, AIDS is killing tens of thousands of adults. Because they are mainly men and women in the prime of their lives, they are usually parents, and their children are left behind as orphans. The question often is, where should the children go?
At first, the children may be cared for by a grandmother, grandfather, aunt, uncle, or cousin, but then they may be orphaned again as, one after the other, their relatives also die.
Many of the children are left on their own. They are forced to work to support themselves, or they survive through begging.
To help children who are orphaned by AIDS, Childcare Worldwide has established an AIDS Orphans fund.
We have constructed children’s homes, even children’s villages, where the children receive full care, including an education. We also help them with Survival Paks of food, blankets and other needed items until they can be helped in a more permanent way.
There is no fixed cost for the AIDS Orphans Fund. Every donation will be gratefully accepted.
Story from Max Lange: Staring the Scourge of Africa in the Face
As I looked into the face of Mrs. Nganga, I could tell the anguish of this mother. In a bare whisper she said, "Please help my children!"
I had driven from our office in Nakuru, Kenya to the outskirts of town. Here on a barren field was the home of Mrs. Nganga, a small simple hut. But poverty was not the problem of this gentle lady. We had come face to face with the scourge of Africa: AIDS!
It is one thing to read statistics that every day 700 people die of AIDS in Kenya, and that there are 15 million AIDS orphans in Africa. It is quite another thing to look into the eyes of a mother who knows she is going to die. Just a few months ago, her husband died of the disease and left the family in abject poverty. She knows that when she dies, her four children will have no one to care for them.
The youngest child, a girl, is only 8 years old. Then there are three boys, ages 10 to 15. How will they survive?
"What will happen to my children?" This is her greatest concern. And then she pleaded with us, "Please help my children!"
We talked with her about the Lord. We laid hands on her and prayed for her as we wept together. Then I promised, "We will take care of your children. They will come to our children’s home, and we will find sponsors for them in America."
My friend, this is a scene that I will never forget. This all happened many months ago, but it is still fresh in my memory. Since then, I have witnessed many more tragedies like this. There is a grandmother in Uganda whom I know. She has taken in 15 children of relatives that have died of AIDS. I have met children who lived on their own, where the oldest, a girl of eight, took care of the younger siblings. Many more stories, many more tragedies!
But these tragedies are opportunities, as well. You and I have an opportunity to help.
Our Lord Jesus said: "… what you did it for the least, you did it unto me” (Matt. 28:40). These little boys and girls, orphaned by the greatest calamity to strike Africa, are truly "the least of these."
I told Mrs. Nganga that we would take care of her children, and we are doing that! But we need your help to reach out and help hundreds of these children.
Childcare Worldwide (CCW), formerly, Childcare International (CCI) is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Contributions are fully tax deductible.
