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Adolescents who are orphaned and made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS are a large and growing population with numerous unmet needs. While many programs and publicity efforts focus on young children, more than half of all orphans are in their teen years.
Adolescents who are orphaned or vulnerable due to AIDS face particular challenges. Compared to non-orphans, they have less access to education and health care, show more indicators of psychosocial distress, and face greater degrees of child neglect, abandonment, and abuse. They confront stigma, isolation, economic hardship, malnutrition, and an increased risk of HIV infection.
Research and programs have found that the following approaches can help these vulnerable youth:
- Address the age-appropriate needs that adolescents have, paying particular attention to the different needs of boys and girls
- Provide information on reproductive health and HIV prevention services
- Provide psychosocial services
- Involve youth themselves, including those who are orphans or vulnerable, in providing services
- Help adolescents either stay in school or receive livelihood training
- Develop large-scale partnerships to fund and develop broad-reaching programs and strategies
Recommended Resources
Reports and Briefs
SAWAKA Jali Watoto Program Supporting Most-Vulnerable Children, Tanzania: A Case Study (PDF, 26 pages, 1.1 MB)
In 2007–2008, the MEASURE Evaluation project evaluated the Jali Watoto (Care for Children) project in Tanzania. Jali Watoto is a child- and community-centered program that provides support to most-vulnerable children and their caregivers. The evaluation assessed the effectiveness of the program model in improving the well-being of most-vulnerable children and their caregivers in communities affected by HIV/AIDS. In addition, the paper outlines the programmatic implications of the findings for service providers and other stakeholders and makes recommendations regarding effective, replicable interventions. (MEASURE Evaluation, 2009)
Faces of Positive Change: Highlighting Positive Changes in the Lives of Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Ethiopia (PDF, 52 pages, 2.4 MB)
This book provides stories about the children, families, and communities who have participated in and benefited from the PC3 Program (Positive Change: Children, Communities, and Care). The program is a five-year (2004-2009) effort designed to provide care and support to half a million orphans and vulnerable children and their families in Ethiopia. (Save the Children, 2009)
Effects of Programs Supporting Orphans and Vulnerable Children (PDF, 50 pages, 810 KB)
This report summarizes findings from evaluations of four programs, two in Kenya and two in Tanzania, that support orphans and other vulnerable children (OVC). The report focuses on the outcomes, emerging issues, and lessons learned. Implications of the findings are offered to provide guidance to OVC service providers, donors, and policy-makers. (MEASURE Evaluation and Futures Group International, 2009)
Adolescents: Orphaned and Vulnerable in the Time of HIV/AIDS
This paper introduces the key issues affecting adolescents who are orphaned or vulnerable because of HIV/AIDS. A companion brief (YouthLens No. 18) summarizes the report. (Family Health International/YouthNet, 2005)
Children on the Brink 2004
This joint report with a framework for action presents the latest statistics on historical, current, and projected numbers of children under 18 who have been orphaned due to AIDS and other causes. (UNAIDS, UNICEF, USAID, 2004)
A Framework for the Protection, Care and Support of Orphans and Vulnerable Children Living in a World of HIV and AIDS
This framework, drawn up by many organizations — governmental, nongovernmental, faith-based, academic, and civil society — recommends interventions to be directed to vulnerable children and the communities in which they reside and suggests that programs be integrated into other projects that promote child welfare and reduce poverty. (UNICEF, 2004)
Reaching Out to Africa's Orphans: A Framework for Public Action
This report covers such issues as scaling up interventions, costs, public action, orphans' needs, and others. (World Bank, 2004)
Africa's Orphaned Generations
Although the HIV/AIDS epidemic has pushed many families beyond their ability to cope, this report argues that immediate action can ensure that the continent's orphaned children are safe, healthy, and educated. It encourages hope in the face of an epic disaster. (UNICEF, 2003)
Findings of the Orphans and Vulnerable Children Psychosocial Survey
This report was used for developing a major community-based response to the needs of orphans and vulnerable children. (Family Health International, 2003)
Web sites
Children Affected by AIDS (CABA)
The archives of an e-mail discussion list that shared timely information on effective strategies to assist children orphaned or otherwise affected by AIDS.
Alliance for Youth Achievement
Partners with organizations that work with orphans and street children to promote capacity building. The Alliance currently assists programs in Thailand, Vietnam, Uganda, and Kenya.
Association François-Xavier Bagnoud (AFXB)
An international nongovernmental organization active in advocacy for children orphaned by AIDS and in community-based responses to their needs. AFXB's Web site includes news and information about children affected by the AIDS pandemic, documents, and a list of related Web sites.
Casa Alianza
An independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to the rehabilitation and defense of street children in Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua. Information on HIV/AIDS and street children in these countries can be found on this Web site.
Catholic AIDS Action
A nongovernmental organization based in Namibia that works on prevention, care, and support of people living with HIV/AIDS and orphans and other vulnerable children.
Child Rights Information Network
Network of more than 1,000 child rights organizations around the world. CRIN strives to improve the lives of children through the exchange of information about child rights and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Children Affected by AIDS Foundation (CAAF)
Helps meet the needs of children affected by HIV/AIDS by advocating and educating on their behalf. The U.S.-based foundation has funded several media projects to raise awareness of the epidemic's impact on African children.
Children in Distress (CINDI)
An informal consortium of nongovernmental organizations based in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. CINDI's Web site provides an overview of projects addressing care and support of AIDS orphans in South Africa and includes papers from the Southern African Conference "Raising the Orphan Generation."
Children in Need Network
A network of nongovernmental organizations, community-based organizations, and government departments working with children in need in Zambia.
Displaced Children and Orphans Fund (DCOF)
Strives to strengthen the capacity of families and communities to provide care, support, and protection for orphans, unaccompanied minors, and war-affected children.
Hope for African Children Initiative
An initiative to increase the capacity of African communities to provide care, services, and assistance to children and their families affected by HIV/AIDS. A collaborative project by CARE, Plan International, Save the Children, the Society for Women and AIDS in Africa, and The World Conference on Religions and Peace.
Listening to Children and Young People
The Children in Scotland agency is conducting a research project in three cities to reach children and young people whose parents or guardians are HIV-positive.
Mothers Without Borders
Serves children in orphanages in Romania, Mexico, Guatemala, Ecuador, Nepal, and Bolivia and those living in the streets in Africa and India. Mothers Without Borders supports the efforts of local communities and nongovernmental organizations to address the needs of orphaned children.
Plan International
Has established an initiative called "Hope for African Children," which aims to support African communities by increasing their capacity to provide care, services, and assistance to children affected by HIV/AIDS. This initiative brings together five international development organizations.
The Uganda Women's Effort to Save Orphans (UWESO)
Helps Ugandan children who have been left orphaned and destitute by war and AIDS. Most of the children are being cared for in the community, especially through the extended family system. UWESO projects help women and young people become self-reliant by providing local, sustainable income-generating programs.
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