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In India, as in many developing countries, children often do not have a voice. However, due to the growing number of orphans and vulnerable children in India, many have been forced to assume adult responsibilities without necessary skills. Children often become the sole wage earners in the household, and education becomes a luxury they can no longer afford. They may become caregivers for their sick parents and assume responsibility for their siblings.
One of the ways to ensure their concerns are heard is through child-led support groups. These groups provide a platform for children affected by HIV/AIDS to talk about their grief, fear, anger and also their needs, hopes and dreams. It also helps them develop coping skills to deal with their problems. Child-led groups also take an active role in educating their communities about HIV/AIDS.
To date, local partners in India have helped create more than 300 support groups for children affected by HIV/AIDS. These groups have allowed more than 3,000 children to share their experiences and learn that they are not alone.
According to Manjula, a 12 year-old who participates in one of these groups, “I share my feelings with friends in community children support groups. What is most important for a child is that adults should listen to our voices, and that children have a chance to meet together and share their feelings. We are happy to have groups where children are important.”
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