AIDS orphans need assistance
When most of us think about the victims of HIV/AIDS we think about adults who are living with the disease or efforts to prevent its spread. But we seldom consider its impact on the youngest members of our society, children left behind by those who have died from AIDS or whose parent is HIV positive. Today the first national workshop was held to mobilize agencies to help Belizean children affected by or infected with HIV/AIDS. And while the children were not physically present at the session, their words and feelings were on everyone’s mind.
Janelle Chanona, Reporting
According to the United Nation?s Children Fund, it is one of the most neglected crises spawned by the HIV/AIDS pandemic, the plight of an increasing number of children who have lost one or both parents to the deadly disease. Belize?s children have not been immune to this disturbing trend.
A UNICEF study completed in October 2004 has revealed frightening statistics:
Two thousand children have already been orphaned by two hundred and forty maternal and four hundred paternal AIDS deaths
Twelve thousand children are vulnerable because two thousand, two hundred women and three thousand men are HIV positive in Belize.
According to the UNICEF study:
Each adult HIV infection in Belize results in approximately two children becoming vulnerable and each adult death results in approximately three orphans.
For every Belizean who has already died from AIDS, there are nearly three more who are living with HIV
As part of the study, the children ages six-thirteen, who were aware that their parents had died from AIDS, were asked what advice they would give to infected parents.
The children said:
?Don?t tell your children lies and tell them the truth if they ask.?
?Ask their children to support their mom and take them to the hospital so they don?t die when they are sick.?
When the children were asked what advice they would give to other children whose parents were infected, they said:
?Love your mommies and daddies all time.?
?Don?t be ashamed of your parents because they brought you into this world.?
Juan Fernando Aguirre, UNICEF
?The invaluable loss of parents result in children assuming adult responsibilities before their time; facing stigma, gender discrimination, poverty and inadequate social services.?
?This is getting worse by the fact that HIV/AIDS is killing people who have the skills to help to save these children, including relatives who traditionally help to provide care to them. In addition, teachers and health workers are also dying in unprecedented numbers.?
Roy Bowen, Program Officer, UNICEF Belize
?On the psychological aspect, it is devastating for them. Economically, where parents have died or are unable to work, children don?t have a source of income. So that is an issue. If children are unable to go to school, that is an issue. So the issues multiply all over, so for us as UNICEF, we are trying to see how we can get as many people as possible in the process to respond to it.?
Part of UNICEF?s response in Belize is a project being managed by the Cornerstone Foundation in the Cayo District. The idea is to use the concept of ?an entire village raising a child? by networking community groups to donate whatever they can to children and their families who are living with HIV/AIDS.
Minerva Aponte Jolly, HIV Educator, Cornerstone
?No one can do this alone. We need everybody in Belize to be involved. Right now it is estimated that there are approximately fourteen thousand children in Belize that are either affected by or infected with HIV. And those kids are going to need help. When I say affected I mean that a child whose mom is HIV affected is suffering because of HIV. Mom cannot work, people discriminate against that child, he does not have a home. He needs help. He?s being affected because there?s HIV in the family and we need help.?
That help can range from teaching a child to cook, iron, or chop firewood, or paying tuition and books for school. The experts contend that with their safety net gone, vulnerable children will need other responsible adults to ensure their rights to food, shelter, health, education, and to play.
But with infection rates on the rise, officials at the Ministry of Health maintain that all Belizeans need to grasp the reality of HIV/AIDS.
Dr. Paul Edwards, Epidemiologist, Min. of Health
?Many of us Belizeans, think that hey, it can?t happen to me. Even though we are engaged in high risk behaviours, meaning having multiple partners, having sexual activity with many different individuals without the use of condom, not being faithful. I want to say it clearly to all Belizeans, if we continue with this behaviour, very soon we will acquire the virus.?
?I urge everybody, personalize the message about HIV/AIDS. How not to get the disease, and if you have been involved in any behaviour where you might have acquired the virus, know your status today, it is for your benefit.?
According to UNICEF, in coordination with the Dangriga AIDS Society, a similar project will be launched this year to promote what is being called an HIV/AIDS friendly town. We understand that the plan is to fight discrimination and stigma at its roots in an effort to fight the disease within an atmosphere of positive community spirit.
