The Need
The declaration of AIDS as a national disaster marked a turning point in war against the disease in Kenya. The country had at last woken up to the impact of the scourge. However, more still needs to be done to help orphans and their guardians overcome poverty. The disease remains one of the biggest catastrophes to have hit humankind in the last three decades. Sub-Saharan Kenya has been hardest hit with over 800 aids patients said to be dying daily. Many districts in Kenya have a prevalence rate of between 10 and 12 per cent, and the pinch of the impact of the disease is felt in all the sectors of the countries’ economies.
In these districts, the pandemic has impacted heavily on orphans and their guardians. With infection rates going up and more people succumbing to the disease, the number of aids orphans and at-risk children has been on the rise. The sad reality is that the majority of those who die from the disease are young and energetic workers who are also the breadwinners of the families and when they die, the job of providing for the families is left to children, some in their teenage years. The disease has also impacted negatively on orphans and guardians as regards access to education and basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter. It has also exposed them to the vicious cycle of poverty.
Access to education will remain a mirage to most of these children. Even though the country aspires to have education for all by 2015, for orphans and at-risk children this might be a pipe dream. Since most are left under the care of old and poor guardians struggling to make ends meet, providing basic needs like school uniform and food is a difficult task. Moreover, stigma and shame has remained a constant companion to orphans. Most have to seek refuge in children’s homes while the lucky few who get guardians may face other life challenges. For some, engaging in menial work for upkeep is a daily routine. Such children end up being exploited economically, physically, morally and sometimes spiritually. Although there is legislation covering them for example the children’s act, such laws are being flouted with impunity and those apprehended often go scot-free for luck of evidence. In addition, education achievements are rare among those who get a chance to go to school.Due to poverty, stigma and psychological imbalances, such children fail to achieve their academic goals and realize their full potential in life.
Although the current government has introduced free and compulsory primary education, orphaned and at-risk children are at a disadvantage due to these factors. On the other hand guardians who take care of these children suffer the hassles of fending for them from meager resources. This compounds the effects of old age and some end up dying early from stress and other related complications.