Children Infected and Affected by HIV/AIDS

Together with partner organisations Children on the Edge is working in the Western Cape coordinating youth groups in collaboration with HIV/AIDS clinics in townships and providing direct community support to families infected and affected with HIV/AIDS.

The young are particularly vulnerable in townships, where one in six is drug dependant and suicide is becoming the leading cause of death for those between 15 and 24 years of age. Furthermore, the HIV/AIDS infection is surging ahead, with most of the young having lost one or both parents to HIV/AIDS and many becoming HIV positive themselves.

In townships programmes we focus on reproductive health, support and mentoring, sport, and arts and culture. We aim to provide alternative options to the prevalent gang culture, encourage youngsters to stay in school, abstain from drugs, get educated and promote safe sex.

Direct community support is provided to families infected and affected with HIV/AIDS in areas that prove particularly difficult for other similar organisations, most closing down after only 18months.

As a result, families and children have suffered under the rampant HIV/AIDS virus and increasing amounts of orphaned children have been left alone, vulnerable and without support.

We aim to help on a larger scale, mentoring other small community based organisations, helping them develop effectively and become sustainable.

We will also be working at grassroots level supporting families, with home visits, counselling, food parcels and where needed school fee and grant application assistance.