The World Bank estimates that 73% of Zambia’s 12 million people are poor, living on less than $1 a day. Over the past two decades the spread of HIV/AIDS around the world has emerged as one of the biggest threats to development, affecting the health of the poor and creating a significant barrier to social and economic development. HIV/AIDS has caused ill health and death amongst parents, leading to rapid increase in the numbers of orphans in affected areas.

The greatest impact of HIV/AIDS has been felt in sub-Saharan Africa. Fuelled by the poverty of the continent, the disease has claimed millions of lives over the past two decades. To date, AIDS has orphaned around 12.3 million children in sub-Saharan Africa. Zamcog is a grass roots non-profit NGO working hard within Zambia to address this problem by providing health care, housing, food, clothing, counselling and most importantly, education.

Throughout Africa, the HIV/AIDS epidemic has created diverse problems. As families and communities struggle to cope with the emotional and economic burden, children bear the brunt of the problems. The effects of HIV/AIDS have increased the number of children facing exceptionally difficult problems. The extreme poverty of the continent threatens the well-being and future of many more children, even when their parents are alive. Lacking access to school and being forced into unsuitable and often dangerous work leaves children vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. Poor environmental health and nutrition further damages their opportunity for a decent life.