Easing Life of AIDS Orphans

It doesn't take long for Victor Mbaba to explain how AIDS has cut a deadly swath through Nigeria, creating more than 3 million orphans. Mbaba, president of the nonprofit, Atlanta-based Africa's Children's Fund, knows that what's happening in Nigeria is only a microcosm of a larger tragedy sweeping through the continent. Of the 14 million children orphaned by AIDS worldwide, 11 million -- or 79 percent -- live in sub-Saharan Africa.

In Nigeria, the local office of the fund provides HIV/AIDS prevention training to schools and communities. It also helps to distribute books and medical supplies and has established a scholarship fund for AIDS orphans. Mbaba, 46, who received degrees from the University of Nigeria, Tuskegee University and West Georgia College (now State University of West Georgia), formed Africa's Children's Fund nine years ago. At the time, the goal was to provide books for students in Africa and shelter for homeless families in Atlanta. Both are still part of the organization's mission, but Mbaba today hopes to focus the spotlight and more of his organization's efforts on helping African children who have lost one or both parents to AIDS.

Nearly 30 million Africans are infected with HIV, according to the UN. By 2005, experts estimate, about 30 percent of South Africa's work force will be infected. By 2010, 1 million South Africans could be sick with AIDS, and 6 million others are expected to be dead.

The fund's sixth annual Taste of Africa fundraiser is being held Saturday, Sept. 28 at the Hyatt Regency hotel. South African Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu will be the featured speaker, and his daughter Thandeka Tutu-Gxashe is the chair of the fund. For more information, telephone 770-997-1664 or 770-465-6610.

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