HIV/AIDS orphans 12 million African children Nairobi's poor children face a bleak future "They have haunted Nairobi for years. Like jittery ghosts, Kenya's street children drift through the traffic and the crowds, bottles of glue or solvent wedged firmly in their young mouths, eyes glazed, grimy hands poised to beg or steal. Ignored, pitied and feared in equal measure, they have become part of the city's corrupt, decaying infrastructure - like the policemen they bribe and sewers they sleep in." - Andrew Harding, BBC, Nairobi

An estimated 38.6 million people are living with HIV worldwide. Approximately 4.1 million people became newly infected with HIV, while approximately 2.8 million people died of AIDS-related illnesses in 2005.

An estimated 12 million children under the age of 17 (just under 10% of children) living in sub-Saharan Africa have lost one or both parents to AIDS.

In 2005, the region was home to 2 million children under 15 years of age living with HIV. Almost 90% of the total number of children living with HIV live in sub-Saharan Africa and fewer than one in ten of those children are being reached by basic support services.

Helping guarantee basic needs for children and families affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa is an urgent priority. But Woodland also reaches out to help vulnerable children and other disadvantaged people in Guatemala and Mexico.

Woodland Charities works to alleviate poverty through grants to community-based organizations in Africa, Guatemala and Mexico.

If you have the will to help, Woodland will facilitate your own charitable efforts. Contact us for information about taking advantage of Woodland's 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status and joining Woodland in sending 100% of your donors' contributions to charities of your choice.