Aids Crisis In Africa

AIDS, the number one disease in our history, is rapidly destroying the population of Africa, and washing away an entire culture.

In Kenya alone, millions of healthy children are left parentless, and are starving as a direct result of the HIV / AIDS epidemic.

The cultural reasons for this pandemic are complex, and the increase in AIDS is fueled in part by myth and lack of education about the disease. In remote areas, doctors fear retaliation from families who may be insulted by their diagnosis. Some believe that having sex with a virgin will cleanse the body from AIDS, so the rape of young girls is not uncommon. Myths like these allow HIV/AIDS to spread and encourage this deadly cycle.

Many countries in Africa lack educational facilities to ensure that the young people are aware of AIDS and how to prevent infection. The few countries that have access to these educational facilities in Africa have seen positive results in the percentage of people with AIDS and more people are starting to get involved. These programs can help minimize the rise of AIDS and prevent the population of Africa from depleting.

The number of people dying everyday is worsening and more people are being infected by AIDS at this very moment. This crisis has caused the life expectancy in many parts of Africa to drop severely to an all time low compare to the United States. As a result of this epidemic, Africa’s population is slowly disappearing, leading to the loss of an entire generation in many countries.

Quarters for Kenya, sponsored by several Rotary Clubs in Southern California, is working with Discover the World and The Shepherd’s Home in Nairobi to raise over $250,000 to build sanctuaries/orphanages in Kenya, and save a generation from AIDS infection. These orphaned children, provided with hope, love, education and support, will have a chance to plan for a new beginning on the African continent.

Six thousand children become orphans every day. This tremor is destroying an entire continent and washing away an entire culture. Today, 45 million people have HIV/AIDS, as many as all of the citizens living in the three states on the West Coast of America. Africa is currently the continent with the highest infection rates.

Video by Michael Papavero
The Shepherd’s Home Children’s Sanctuaries