HOME BASED CARE FOR HIV CHILDREN, Cambodia

Cambodia is suffering from an HIV/AIDS epidemic. By 2003, roughly 250,000 people were infected and it is estimated that by 2015 HIV/AIDS will reduce their life expectancy by 7%. Currently 14,000 of the 77,000 HIV/AIDS affected orphans living in Cambodia, are HIV-positive. Their parents and other adults in their community infected with HIV/AIDS are too ill and too poor to take care of themselves and their children. As a result, these children, whether HIV-positive or negative, need basic humanitarian aid: medical, nutritional and emotional support, as well as access to a primary education.

Our goal is to allow children who are HIV-positive and orphaned to stay with their relatives and within family. Usually the family - grandparents, uncles, etc. does not have money to take care of the child, so we support his/her medical, educational and nutrition needs, so the child does not have to end in the orphanage. Designated fieldworkers visit and monitor HIV children and their families on a regular basis. These fieldworkers will ensure that each HIV/AIDS-affected or infected child has a safe place to live, adequate nutrition, food, vital medical care, psychosocial support and access to a primary education.

Make sure the field workers:
• Can visit these HIV-positive children at school and their HIV-negative siblings and extended families at home on a regular basis.
• Provide weekly food stipends, facilitate access to educational programs, tutoring support and basic heath care.
• Provide counseling for the children and their families.
• Identify children who might benefit from Anti-retroviral medicines.
• Create a support group for these children so they have a way to interact and connect with their peers who are also infected.
• Help older children form a realistic plan for their future after their 6th grade graduation.

• 100 children