| NASCOP |
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The problem of orphans in Kenya is on the increase as indicated by various government and non governmental organizations reports. This is largely due to the HIV/AIDS scourge. The National Aids and Sexually Transmitted Disease Control Programme (NASCOP) estimated that HIV/AIDS orphans would be approximately 865,000 in the year 2000. In the year 2002 an average of 700 people were dying everyday from HIV/AIDS related illness. HIV/AIDS has a great negative impact on our country and as such it was declared a national disaster in the year 2000 by the then President of Kenya. It heavily burdens the citizens who are already suffering from the effects of poverty, tropical diseases and high levels of illiteracy. The phenomenon of households headed by children is on the increase due to the deaths of the parents. The eldest children in families are forced by this circumstance to take up the role of the deceased parents. This is especially the case in the urban areas where they are away from their extended families. Such children often drop out of school so that they can earn a living and support their younger siblings. On the other hand in the rural areas you find that grandparents have the burden to bring up their grand children who have been orphaned. Orphans are faced by many difficulties like lack of basic needs like food, clothing, shelter, medical care and even education. Studies show that they contribute to the largest number of street children as they opt to go to the streets where they beg for handouts and rummage in the garbage in search of food. Other orphans get involved in hazardous activities like prostitution as they struggle to eke for a living. There is an urgent need to look in to the problems of these orphans by ensuring that their needs are met. There is a great need to empower them so that they can rise above their suffering and disadvantages. |