Of the 33.3 million people living with HIV across the globe, 22.5 million of them live in Sub-Saharan Africa. This makes HIV/AIDS the leading cause of adult death on the continent, leaving an estimated number of 14.8 million orphans (source: UNAIDS Global Report).
Individuals infected with HIV/AIDS experience suffering and difficulty across many aspects of their lives. The physical impact of the virus/disease is of course great, and the symptoms are complicated by a lack of medicine, adequate food, and clean drinking water. The financial burdens of medical care are already staggering, and affording this care is impossible for individuals who are unemployed too ill to work. Aside from these physical and financial worries, there is a negative stigma attached to the disease that robs many individuals of their hope and feelings of self-worth.
The majority of infected children lack basic care and support. Oldest kids, especially girls, take responsibility for their families after the death of their parents, increasing the number of child-lead households. Such children are in an urgent need of support, otherwise they may fall prey to the disease and exploiters.
Legacy Mission Village wishes to support individuals infected with HIV/AIDS and the children left behind by the disease, addressing the basic physical, financial and emotional needs. Longer term goals for LMV include the creation of a hospice and an HIV/AIDS education center. The hospice care will include home visits to patients, something very uncommon in the region currently.
It costs $40 per month to feed, clothe and educate a single HIV/AIDS orphan. $40 will also purchase a goat for the family while $100 provides a pig, allowing the family to eat and generate extra income. Consider donating today.
Posted in: Our Programs In Africa