Reaching Orphans and Vulnerable Children

AIDS can devastate a family and leave children on their own.

The numbers of child-headed households in Africa has increased many fold since the start of the AIDS epidemic; without the protection of parents and extended relations, chil­dren lack basic necessities, such as food, shelter, and medical care. In April 2009, IMA launched a program to help orphans and vulnerable children in Lushoto District of Tanzania’s Tanga region. Working with its partner, Pact Tanzania, and with funding from the Global Fund, IMA helped conduct a thor­ough assessment of the needs of these children, identifying more than 3000 orphans and vulner­able children in 76 villages in the district.

The Orphans and Most Vulnerable Children Project provides identified children with assistance that includes health care, food, and education.  Lushoto is in a very mountainous but agriculturally rich region of Tanzania and there are major challenges for staff reaching some of the most remote communities.  Nevertheless, access to education and to supportive care is essential for these children to grow up without stigma or alienation and to take their rightful place as healthy and productive citizens.