Orphans and Vulnerable Groups

Around the globe, many people are particularly vulnerable and require holistic solutions, of which a safe and decent home is a critical part. Habitat for Humanity works in collaboration with other charities, non-government organisations, and national and local government to address the specific needs of vulnerable groups. These include orphans, families affected or infected by HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa and Cambodia, people living with leprosy in Ethiopia, ex-bonded labour families in Nepal, and people living in permanent "Geneva" camps in Bangladesh.

Orphans and Vulnerable Children – Sub Saharan Africa

Sixty seven percent of all people worldwide infected with HIV/AIDS live in sub Saharan Africa. Sadly, this includes 14 million AIDS orphans.

When a parent is infected with HIV, their children are immediately affected. As the parents’ health declines, they cannot work. Children are taken out of school, the quality and quantity of food is reduced and repairs to the home go unmade.

When the parent/s die, the children are left traumatised and bereft of any income because of their age or lack of education, and many will resort to crime or prostitution just to survive. They are also open to abuse of their rights, with property and belongings being taken from them by relatives and the community.

Providing shelter for orphans and vulnerable children is one of Habitat for Humanity’s leading programmes in Africa, now covering Mozambique, Uganda, Zambia, and Lesotho.

We have already helped over 84,000 orphan and vulnerable children and their caregivers with the building of homes and related services.

Our target for the coming three years is to help more than 1000 families across these countries.

In order to provide these children with the best possible chances for the future, a holistic approach is needed: Habitat for Humanity provides a safe and healthy home with a latrine, mosquito nets where needed, and training in inheritance rights so that the children will be protected by their community from others taking their property from them.

The children will also receive health education, including education about HIV/AIDS. We work with other non-government organisations that provide food aid, education and skills training, healthcare, and psychosocial support.

We cannot ask orphans or vulnerable children to contribute financially to the building of the homes as they are already under a considerable burden. We therefore have to find the funding up front.

You can support projects like these by becoming a HOMEsponsor today.