HIV/AIDS  in Swaziland has seen an entire generation wiped out, leaving children to fend for themselves and their younger siblings. Child headed households are growing and these young people need our support. There has been as huge increase in the number of orphans and vulnerable children. 46% of the population is under 15, with many children left in the care of grandparents and other extended family, if they have them. Otherwise, they may be left to fend for themselves; 15,000 children are in charge of their households today in Swaziland.

How Positive Women is helping to change the lives of Children who are living in child headed households

• School fees: We are providing schools fees and uniforms for the most vulnerable children, in order for them to have a future free from poverty

• Child Headed Household training: We provide a training programme (4 weekends a year) for child headed households. This includes training on backyard gardens, developing memory books, a time to play and be children and form a support network of child headed households. A child looking after children is the reality that Swaziland faces.

• Rights training: We provide information children around their rights, including rights to access medical treatment, the right to education and the right to make decisions about their own lives.

• Mobile clinic: The remote nature of the communities we work with and the poverty they are living with has led to a lack of access to medical services. For people living with HIV/AIDS this is an unnecessary death sentence. We provide monthly medical support to these communities. This also provides an opportunity for counselling and support for those who are most vulnerable and voiceless.