AIDS Orphans Growing as Adoptions Slow in South Africa

On Monday, Social Development Minister Zola Skweyiya said adoptions of AIDS orphans in South Africa are down 13 percent from last year while cases of abuse are steadily growing. Of South Africa's approximately 1.5 million AIDS orphans, only about 1,900 were adopted in 2007, said Skweyiya. "South Africa is facing a challenge of increasing numbers of orphaned children, abandoned babies, worrying levels of abuse, neglect and exploitation of children," he said. Almost 495,000 of these orphans are in foster care, but more adoptions are needed. "We encourage South African families to adopt children and provide them with permanent families and love," said Skweyiya. "Foster care is a useful short-term intervention but cannot be the only solution."

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