07/22/2005

Children and the Future of Africa

A stranger has big eyes but sees nothing.
African Proverb

Recently staff member Scott Bilstad handed Bonnie a magazine, World Pulse: Women & Children Transforming our World, saying, “Bonnie, here is your new favorite magazine.” How right he was. Bonnie and I were both amazed at how much World Pulse echoes the issues and the sentiments of the World Forum. In its “Issue #2,” the magazine addressed central World Forum topics such as girls' education, breastfeeding, the power of education, and AIDS and young children. It even had interviews with elders.

Its article, “Raising Africa’s Orphans,” by Noerine Kaleeba from Uganda, for example, addressed the concerns raised by Michael Kelly at the 2005 World Forum:

“Today we know that African children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS are the ultimate development nightmare for a continent grappling with major socio-economic problems.

“According to UNAIDS, every day around the world, 2000 infants contract HIV through their mothers – 95% of these infants are Africans. Every day, 6000 children lose one or both parents to AIDS — more than 90% of these children are African. Today a child in Southern Africa has a 50% chance of dying from AIDS. Today in Africa, 95% of pregnant mothers do not have access to health programs that can significantly reduce the incidence of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

“The worst is yet to come. According to UNAIDS, UNICEF, and USAID, by 2010 at least 20 million AIDS orphans will live in Africa. Until then, large numbers of children orphaned by AIDS will become young adults. Whether these children are socialized, educated, clothed, or fed, they will assume their role in society.

“Twenty million uneducated, street-hardened, weather-beaten, and ultimately bitter African children will present formidable challenges to our continent and the world.”

The World Forum “AIDS and Young Children” project is currently seeking funds to extend its work on finding ways to help children affected and infected by AIDS. If you are interested in learning more about this project, contact [email protected].

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