The Aids Epedemic in Africa: The Children Left Behind

The Aids Epedemic in Africa: The Children Left Behind

The Affects of AIDS in Africa : The Children Left Behind.As AIDS continues to claim lives, it leaves the children of its victims not only without parents, but in some cases without a future. Children born to parents having contracted the H I Virus have a very bleak future, according to the research done in Africa as well as in Southeast Asia. Many, unfortunately, stumble upon the same fate as their parents. These orphans are left to be reared by extended family members, who, in most cases, are their grandparents. Elderly men and women between the ages of fifty-six and eighty-four are to be responsible for feeding, clothing, and sheltering their orphaned grandchildren. This, however, poses a severe financial burden on these grandparents in nearly all cases studied. This research paper will discuss how these orphans and their caretakers are affected medically, socially, economically, and psychologically by the adverse affects of the H I Virus.AIDS orphans often have to migrate to new homes and communities, these migrations can be emotionally damaging to the orphans depending on the new caregivers willingness to help the orphan adapt to his/her environment. In a qualitive study conducted by N. Ansell and L Young, many

Ill treatment consists of: overworking the children, treating the children unfairly compared to the way the discipline their biological children, not feeding the children and being resentful of the child"tms presence in their home. Children six and under are dependent on adults to provide them with food, shelter, and care. Government officials and neighboring countries with much more wealth will be asked to donate funding. AIDS may be worse in some countries due to that countries economic status but it still remains as a global public health issue that needs all efforts in order to be extinguished. "In Africa children whose parents die are doubly burdened, losing not only the attention, care, and guidance that a parent gives, but also access household resources such as housing and land"�. Research in South East Asia states: "Problems of economic insufficiency are likely to be especially intense among families who have recently lost a member due to AIDS, given that an AIDS death has been estimated to cost a Thai family between thirty and fifty thousand (US) dollars"�. If the child has to relocate arrangements will be made and the child we be given pre and post counseling sessions with a qualified social worker, including follow up visits throughout the child"tms stay at the home. The person or persons will then be evaluated to see if they are capable of caring for the AIDS orphan. (Telethons, Dinners and Entertainment Banquets, Random Donations)b. How will you determine how much or what services a family will receive. Appendix 1: Solution OutlineAid to AIDS Orphans ProgramI. "Policy intervention to reduce disruption and trauma for young AIDS migrants should aim at facilitating sustainable arrangements by enabling suitable households to provide care"�. "Caregivers across generations identified economic problem as their most focal concern.