According to UNAIDS, around 40 million people were
living with HIV at the end of 2006. Every day
around 8,000 people under the age of 24 are newly
infected with the HIV virus.
Over 60% of new HIV infections occur in young people aged 15-25. In South Africa, around 5.5 million people to be living with HIV and the prevalence of the virus continues to increase. An estimated 240,000 children under the age of 15 were living with HIV in South Africa at the end of 2005.
It is estimated that only around 20% of children in South Africa who need to be on antiretroviral drugs (medication to treat HIV) are receiving treatment.
Khayelitsha, the community in South Africa where Ubuntu Africa provides services, is the largest township outside of Cape Town and is home to between 500,000 to one million people.
In addition to having a high incidence of HIV, the Khayelitsha community also faces high levels of crime, unemployment and poverty. Many of the infected lack easy access to clinics, nutritious food, antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) and even indoor plumbing, making their illness particularly difficult to manage. Currently, there are few support services offered to children and teens in Khayelitsha who are living with HIV.
After being diagnosed with HIV these young people are often left to bear much of the burden of this disease alone. There is a great need for a comprehensive HIV care program, which will provide services designed to assist and empower these young people living with HIV in Khayleitsha.
Over 60% of new HIV infections occur in young people aged 15-25. In South Africa, around 5.5 million people to be living with HIV and the prevalence of the virus continues to increase. An estimated 240,000 children under the age of 15 were living with HIV in South Africa at the end of 2005.
It is estimated that only around 20% of children in South Africa who need to be on antiretroviral drugs (medication to treat HIV) are receiving treatment.
Khayelitsha, the community in South Africa where Ubuntu Africa provides services, is the largest township outside of Cape Town and is home to between 500,000 to one million people.
In addition to having a high incidence of HIV, the Khayelitsha community also faces high levels of crime, unemployment and poverty. Many of the infected lack easy access to clinics, nutritious food, antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) and even indoor plumbing, making their illness particularly difficult to manage. Currently, there are few support services offered to children and teens in Khayelitsha who are living with HIV.
After being diagnosed with HIV these young people are often left to bear much of the burden of this disease alone. There is a great need for a comprehensive HIV care program, which will provide services designed to assist and empower these young people living with HIV in Khayleitsha.
