Spotlight Africa

Above all in southern Africa, extensive sectors of the population are living in alarming conditions. Drought, mismanagement, political instability and AIDS are factors which determine and influence each other. SOS co-workers report on the current situation - in particular on the impact of AIDS and various SOS Children's Village projects supporting the people concerned. A person with AIDS is a person just like you Latest figures published at the XIV International AIDS Conference in Barcelona, Spain (7-12 July) reveal that the AIDS epidemic is showing no signs of abating. According to the new report "Children on the Brink 2002" by USAID, UNAIDS and UNICEF, the number of AIDS orphans will increase to a staggering 25 million by 2010. We take a look at how SOS Children's Villages is responding to the epidemic. A person with AIDS is a person just like you "We've learnt to face anything" "In the whole region, in Sierra Leone, in Liberia, in Guinea-Bissau, we learn from extreme experiences. Since 1997 there has been a particular crisis plan, an 'Emergency Procedure Handbook', so as to be prepared in every country for a possible emergency and to be able to react quickly." - An Interview with Simon Tokpohozin "We've learnt to face anything" In the circle of drought, poverty and AIDS Issues such as the affects of HIV/AIDS, economic and political decisions and poor rains further complicate the food security situation in the Southern African region. Our co-worker Janie Telling, located in the Zimbabwean capital Harare, reports about the current situation in the countries more or less heavily affected and the work of SOS Children's Villages on the spot. In the circle of drought, poverty and AIDS Hunger in Southern Africa is a reality The Southern Africa region is facing what could become the worst famine in a decade due to a deadly combination of acute poverty, unstable weather, crop failures, depleted food reserves, and one of the highest incidences of HIV/AIDS. Brenda Dimbleby, SOS co-worker in South Africa, reports about the current situation in several countries south of the equator. Hunger in Southern Africa is a reality SOS Social Centre Ennerdale reaches out to the youth While some children are playing games or just generally relaxing during the school break others are using the time to become informed about HIV/AIDS at the SOS Social Centre Ennerdale. SOS Social Centre Ennerdale reaches out to the youth Sindi's Story: Coming Face-to-Face with the Human Tragedy of AIDS SINDI was orphaned when she was just four years of age, after her mother died of AIDS. That was seven years ago. Like so many other AIDS orphans in Southern Africa, Sindi and her five siblings found a new home with their grandmother (or "Gogo"). Sindi's Story: Coming Face-to-Face with the Human Tragedy of AIDS "Knowing your status is the first step to planning your future" So says Kathy Bowler, project director at SOS Medical Centre, Lilongwe. Cost is one reason that deters people from attending counselling of undergoing the test for HIV/AIDS. The SOS Medical Centre is now able to provide these and other related services free of charge. "Knowing your status is the first step to planning your future" HIV/AIDS Programme at the SOS HG Adult Training Centre "The HIV/AIDS programme was an eye opener. Most of the topics covered were interesting. It was good for it to be included as we are facing this in our SOS Children's Villages," said one of the participants of the SOS Adult Training Centre's newest inclusion into their Special Educational Needs Training Programme. HIV/AIDS Programme at the SOS HG Adult Training Centre "Will you take care of my children?" SOS Children's Village Swaziland comes to the aid of a family of ten. Two of the family members are dying of AIDS and need medical treatment, but there is no money, even for food. "Will you take care of my children?"