It is projected that there are more than 12 million children living in the world who have been orphaned by one or both parents due to HIV. These children must often turn to their communities to help meet their most basic needs.
Abbott Fund works with local non-governmental organizations (NGOs)in Burkina Faso, India and Tanzania to improve the lives and futures of orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS. Model programs are being offered in the areas of education, health care and social services. Several innovative model programs have already shown results, and are now being replicated in multiple communities; click on the following links for more information:
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Manjula is the eldest daughter in her family. When her parents became ill from HIV, she was sent to live with her grandparents, but was not told the reason due to fear of discrimination within her community. At the age of 12, she needed to work to help support her family and had to discontinue her education.
Her parents began receiving services and counseling from Vasavya Mahila Mandali (VMM), a lead partner of the India HIV/AIDS Alliance and the Abbott Fund. The adults gained confidence in revealing their HIV positive status to Manjula, and she was brought home. With the support of VMM, Manjula is now able to go back to school, although she shoulders the responsibility of her three siblings when her parents are feeling ill. Manjula has become an active child volunteer at VMM, helping bridge the gap between children and adults in support group meetings.
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