Washington Times Examines Disappearing Support Systems for AIDS Orphans in Uganda

The HIV/AIDS epidemic has worsened Uganda's orphan crisis and has caused the country's social support systems to weaken, the Washington Times reports. The Uganda AIDS Commission estimates that 2.35 million orphans ages 17 and younger have lost at least one parent to AIDS-related death, and many of these orphans are born HIV-positive. According to a government demographic health survey, children account for 62% of Uganda's poor population. Some children live on the streets, while others are cared for by women, many of whom are widows, who "have stepped forward to shoulder the burden of caring for orphans," according to the Times. Women head 70% of the orphan households in the country, according to the UAC. Some orphans run their own households and often care for younger brothers and sisters, while others are placed in foster homes by organizations such as the Kamwokya Christian Caring Community, the Times reports (Palmer, Washington Times, 2/19). The complete article is available online.