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HIV/AIDS in Africa
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that attacks the immune system in humans. It slowly progresses into full blown disease and is then called AIDS. (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) People do not usually die from AIDS itself, they die because AIDS has weakened their immune system so that they can not fight off other diseases. HIV is transmitted through body secretions and is usually thought of as a sexually transmitted disease, but an innocent infant can become infected during child birth or breastfeeding. Most researchers believe that HIV originated in sub-Saharan Africa during the twentieth century; it is now a pandemic, with an estimated 38.6 million people now living with the disease worldwide. As of January 2006, the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the World Health Organization (WHO) estimate that AIDS has killed more than 25 million people since it was first recognized on June 5, 1981, making it one of the most destructive epidemics in recorded history. In 2005 alone, AIDS claimed an estimated 2.4–3.3 million lives, of which more than 570,000 were children. A third of these deaths are occurring in sub-Saharan Africa, retarding economic growth and destroying human capital. Antiretroviral treatment reduces both the mortality and the morbidity of HIV infection, but routine access to antiretroviral medication is not available in all countries. HIV/AIDS stigma is more severe than that associated with other life-threatening conditions and extends beyond the disease itself to providers and even volunteers involved with the care of people living with HIV. (This paragraph is from Wikipedia.) Most of the orphans that Hearth to Hearth Ministries helps were orphaned because of HIV/AIDS. Though most of these orphans did not contract HIV from their parents and are still free of the disease they are many times disowned by their relatives and left to fend for themselves and take care of their younger brothers and sisters. AIDS is killing so many adults in Africa and leaving their children orphaned that the average age for a person in Kenya is 16 years old. Hearth to Hearth Ministries is trying to make a difference. Help us turn HIV/AIDS into Helpful, Inspiring Volunteers/Appreciative, Impassioned Daughters and Sons. Sponsor an orphan from Africa and give them hope.
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