The ongoing pandemic has made life more difficult for vulnerable communities globally. In resource poor communities, more families face food insecurity due to the impact of COVID, and other factors such as climate change and conflict.

Grandmothers, mothers and aunts in Africa take care of their HIV+ children with very few resources. Most families enrolled in our pediatric HIV care program face food insecurity, illness, impact of HIV, and have insufficient knowledge about HIV.

Today we are thinking of the mothers and aunts in Africa who cannot afford necessities such as food, medicines and rent for their families and school expenses for their children. Since last year, COVID has aggravated the situation.

Zambia is among the 20 countries with the highest malaria incidence and mortality globally. Most families living in resource poor neighborhoods, are vulnerable to malaria but do not have the information on how to prevent malaria or the resources to purchase mosquito bed nets.

Today we are thinking of mothers and aunts in Africa whose families are vulnerable to COVID. Families in Zambia are especially vulnerable as they have little or no information about COVID and have weaker immune systems if living with HIV. 

Introduction

Introduction

Rationale for a Micro Loans Program

Introduction

New “Safe Park” format: “Safe Park” was designed for the children from the community to learn and play in a safe environment. Last April, regular program activities were replaced by COVID education workshops for children. These workshops are free and open to all children from the community. Since most families in the community had little knowledge about COVID, education was provided.

Impact of COVID: The COVID virus has had a disproportionately higher impact on vulnerable populations and developing countries. According to Bill Gates, this year we are amid “mutually exacerbating catastrophes”. In public health, we have been setback by 25 years, as people are not seeking health care and receiving life-saving services such as vaccinations.