Hosue of Promise #3 - Loving Care for HIV+ Children

Almost 30% of children born to HIV+ mothers will inherit the lifelong virus.  Most of these children do not live past their 6th birthday. When they test positive, their caregivers are often afraid of them, or are displaced from their housing or job because of the virus.  Children in rural areas do not hav access to ARV medication regimines.  This can create a need for alternative housing for these little ones.  When children become ill, they are often discarded at local clinics or hospitals or brought to the project when their parents pass and extended families are too afraid to raise them.

Older children ages 6-10 may inherit the virus by caring for their ailing parent and coming in close contact with bodily fluids.  These children are vulnerable and at-risk for poor medical attention, growing on the streets, or death. Often, these are the most desperate and vulnerable orphans - and they are simply falling through the cracks in Ethiopia.

Over the past year, God has made it apparent that we desperately need a care home exclusively for HIV+ children in Mekelle.  Though it is a city of more than 180,000, and the capital of Tigray, there are no homes or orphanages exclusively for these kids. 

 In fall  of 2008, we were able to rent a small compound with a two bedroom home near to the ORE compound.  The family-like compound cares for up to 10 HIV+ children ages 0-12.  We currently have 5 children living together with two moms who care for the children.  When children require ARV meds, they are given on a strict schedule to make the biggest impact.  We are working with WACAP to recruit adoptive families for these children as well, so that they may benefit from improved medication regimes available only in Western countries.  So far, one child has been referred to a family from this home and is expected to come to the US in 2010. 

ANNUAL OPERATING COSTS:  $8,000 US      CLICK Ways to Give TO DONATE NOW TOWARDS THE COSTS OF THIS HOME OR SPONSOR ONE OF THE 10 CHILDREN AT $55 PER MONTH.