Africa: 20 Million AIDS Orphans by 2010 -- Lewis

With AIDS drugs beginning to reach patients in Africa, the next great challenge will involve the "apocalypse of orphans" the disease is creating, said Stephen Lewis, the UN special envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa. By 2010, there will be at least 20 million AIDS orphans under age 18 in sub-Saharan Africa, said Lewis, who was on a speaking tour in Ontario. Proceeds from the tour will benefit the Stephen Lewis Foundation (SLF) and AIDS Action Perth.

"Countries haven't the faintest idea what to do and we are just now beginning to respond. These kids are not just hungry and aren't in school because they can't afford school fees. They're not just isolated and living in desperate circumstances. They're traumatized. They've watched their parents die," said Lewis.

On Thursday, Lewis is scheduled to visit the Ayr-based St. Brigid elementary school, which raised $1,000 Canadian (US$819) for SLF. The foundation has raised $5 million (US$4.1 million) for female AIDS patients, orphans and those dying from the disease.

Lewis said he was "dumbfounded" by the support given to his foundation, and he stressed that any amount was worthy. "The nice thing about it is the amount of money matters almost less than the awareness." However, "the money is hugely important and we're getting it out in significant and methodical ways."

Some 95 percent of AIDS orphans receive no financial help outside of their extended families, said David Agnew, UNICEF Canada's CEO. They "have been sadly overlooked and badly underfunded," said Agnew.

Back to other news for April 6, 2005