HIV/AIDS is more than a health issue. It has social, economic and spiritual implications. As a result, SAWSO approaches it from a variety of directions.
The programs it supports work to prevent new infections; provide care and support, not only for those infected with the virus, but those affected by it as well; make Anti Retroviral Treatment more easily available at the community level; and reduce the impact of HIV/AIDS on children, households, and communities.
HIV/AIDS is more than a health issue. It has social, economic and spiritual implications. Food production in affected countries drops. Affected households live with chronic food shortages and lower incomes.
More and more children are living with chronically ill parents or have been orphaned. The oldest children are often unable to go to school because they have to take care of their younger siblings. The overall quality and quantity of education is affected. To handle the loss, responsibility, and the suffering, these orphans and vulnerable children need psycho-social support to survive.
My name is Latou Watson. I am 16 years old. I am in 4th grade primary school. I was late at starting school because my Aunt didn’t send me. My natural parents died when I was a little boy, maybe three years old. My Aunt is a wonderful person, she doesn’t mistreat me, but unfortunately the family is poor and I suffer from not having some basic things.
Sometimes I want to go to church but I can’t because I don’t have any clothes and tennis shoes to wear. The life is very difficult for me. No Father, no Mother, you can understand what it is like. In the program I am a new person, I benefit from training on hygiene, HIV prevention and child rights. According to me, the best thing was the training on Animal Husbandry. After the training, I bought a female goat with the money I received in the program.
I am taking care of my goat, she is pregnant and I hope soon I will have two more goats. I thank everyone who thinks of orphans and vulnerable children. I feel really comfortable and happy when I get visits from a friend that they call volunteer.
I wish the program will continue to help other children who are living in the same condition like me.
$100: provides one Home Based Care kit for one year
$114: provides nutritional support for one orphan and vulnerable child for one year
$300: provides Anti Retroviral Drug Therapy for one person for one year
$2,000: provides five days of camping for twenty orphans and vulnerable children
