HIV/AIDS Orphans

Emerging as one of the most pronounced (and growing) needs is HIV/AIDS Orphans. AIDS orphans are infants and children who have been orphaned as a result of the AIDS-related death of the parents. Official estimates of the South African government indicate there will be 5 million AIDS orphans in South Africa by 2010. Nearly two-thirds (67%) of these children are HIV-negative and are eligible for adoption.

We have the opportunity to intervene and make a positive difference in the lives of thousands of innocent AIDS orphans:

• to harbor the children in a safe home while we determine their own HIV-status
• to most likely find them a home with loving adoptive parents when (in most cases) they are HIV-negative—and help as many desiring couples become parents
• to love and care for them in a Place of Safety when they are HIV-positive; and then afford them the opportunity of a happy life—however short it may be—and a dignified death and proper burial
• to provide a normal and functional home for children not adopted

The homes provided by SpiritWind and its partner organizations are quite unique in the social welfare system used worldwide. Instead of children being placed into large institutional orphanages lacking the warm and nurturing support of a normal household, a home is provided with 8-10 other children of various ages and ethnicity. These homes are staffed by live-in house parents and typically at least two more support personnel to assist with the housekeeping and nutritional duties. In most cases, even the father figure will maintain employment outside the house to provide the typical household situation.

We aim to locate as many of these homes in regular residential neighborhoods. By following this model, the children do not attend a school with a large number of other orphans, go to church with orphans, play in their neighborhoods with orphans, but rather have as many classmates and friends from “traditional” households.

Furthermore, through the networks developed by SpiritWind International, we aim to connect social groups and churches with individual homes. Through this partnership, the groups and churches “adopt” a house and provide further services and care not always possible through systematic organizations. Events such as birthday parties, graduations, shopping, outdoor trips and vacations can be accommodated through these extended families.

However, it is not always possible to attain sufficient homes within established neighborhoods. For this reason SpiritWind plans to incorporate a significant number of homes into the Healthcare and Advancement Project. Read more about this project . . .

 

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