Click for facts on HIV/AIDS IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

Sub-Saharan Africa has 12 million AIDS orphans.

3/4 of world’s HIV+ women live in Sub-Saharan Africa – 3 girls for every 1 men in the 15-24 years group

*Most are infected by husbands or older boyfriends but are blamed for their disease – and his!
*Most women don’t know their HIV status (if they did, can’t change partner’s behavior or protect themselves)
*They become the AIDS caretakers (of spouses, grown children, grandchildren)
*They are often kicked out of their homes and shunned by relatives, with no one to nurse them
*Babies can acquire HIV from their mothers in utero and while nursing.
*Some children and grandmothers in our program are HIV+, and get free care.
*Orphans’choices are living with relatives,going to an orphanage, or living on the streets. Studies show they prefer living with their grandmothers, and are more likely to remain in school.

LIFE IS HARD FOR GRANDMOTHERS RAISING GRANDCHILDREN...
*They are still grieving deaths of husbands, grown children.
*They may still be paying for hospitalization and funerals.
*They now have the added care of babies-teens while living on less than $1 a day.
*The work and worry undermines their own health.
*89% forego food and health care for themselves.
*48% percent can’t feed their grandchildren every day.
*They worry who will care for the grandkids when they die. Our program ensures they can continue to live with other Bibi Jann grandmas in the central bibi house if they are again orphaned.