Most of us are all too familiar with the grim statistics that identify HIV/AIDS as the Great Plague of the late 20th Century, a plague that promises to continue for many years to come. According to 2007 estimates, 34 million people are currently living with HIV/AIDS. An equal number have already died. 2.5 million new cases were diagnosed last year, and 2.1 million people died, including 333,000 children. Current estimates show 15 million AIDS orphans, children who have lost one or both parents to the disease. There is no vaccine currently available, and little hope for one in the near future. Although treatment with antiretroviral agents prolongs life and improves the quality of life, there is no cure for HIV/AIDSIt is important that we put a human face on these statistics. HIV/AIDS has totally devastated the entire health system in many countries of the world, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. The effect on families and communities has been even more devastating. Large numbers of young and middle-aged adults, including community leaders, heads of families, and most importantly mothers, have died or are seriously ill. Nine year-old children are in charge of entire families. Large numbers of AIDS orphans have become street children. In many African countries, it is considered a sacred obligation to take in and adopt children who have lost their parents. Fifteen years ago few orphanages existed, even in countries torn apart by war. Now because of AIDS there are too many orphans for even the most caring families and communities to take in. More orphanages have been built, but they are woefully understaffed. Each caregiver may be responsible for 100 or more babies and children.In recent years many governments, including the US, and many funding agencies such as the Gates Foundation, have contributed large amounts of money to help fight HIV/AIDS. The major thrust of this funding has been to scale up treatment efforts, and to support existing health care facilities. According to Dr Maureen Kelley, who has spent the past 10 years working with street children in Zambia, most of whom are AIDS orphans, few of these donated dollars are expended to deal with the psychosocial problems created by this massive number of orphans. The needs of these children are so great!!! In overcrowded orphanages, babies are dying for want of human touch and basic nurturing. Young children are suffering irreparable psychological damage, and older ones leave the orphanages to wander homeless in the streets.
Dr Kelley feels that faith-based organizations such as UMVIM and our Individual Volunteers Program are more sensitive to these needs and can better recognize and help provide for the basic requirements of these children for nurturing and support. We need to ask ourselves, “What is the future for a country whose children grow up unloved and uncared for.” In addition to asking what Jesus would do, we have to ask ourselves, “What would John Wesley do?” For Wesley, ministering to the poor and sick was included in the job description of every Methodist. It is my feeling that we can respond to the needs of these children that go beyond treatment with antiretrovirals (50% of AIDS orphans are infected with HIV). Preventive measures and AIDS education are critically important, but are too late for these children. There are many opportunities to work in the orphanages in a variety of capacities, or with organizations that are working with the street children. Many concerns have been expressed by potential care-givers about the risks of contracting HIV. It is important for us to keep in mind that this risk is extremely small, and that minor risk is almost eliminated by careful hand washing with soap and water.
In addition to direct work with HIV/AIDS victims, we can financially support two important programs developed by GBGM/UMCOR.
The Orphan Trust, Advance #982842, supports community efforts to care for orphans by assisting them with their daily necessities, school fees, and moral and spiritual support.
The United Methodist Global Aids Fund, Advance # 982345 supports education, prevention, care and treatment programs for people living with HIV/AIDS, both in the US and abroad.
We must continue to reach out to the innocent victims of this nightmare disease.
Roger Boe, MD
UMVIM Medical Consultant