It was big news when pop singer Madonna recently adopted a 1-year-old boy from the African nation of Malawi. Some people praised the celebrity for giving the motherless boy a chance at a better future. Others said she shouldn't take a child from his native country. There are better ways to help Africa's children, critics said.
Africa's children do need help. The continent has some of the poorest countries in the world. For most children there, life is unimaginably harsh. In fact, nearly one in six African children dies before turning five.
"With the childhood of so many under threat, our [shared] future is [at risk]," warned United Nations (U.N.) Secretary-General Kofi Annan last year.
Those problems have left millions of African children without parents. The U.N. estimates that more than 48 million African children living south of the Sahara desert are orphans. Of those, about 18 million have lost their parents to the incurable disease AIDS. People with AIDS often die needlessly in Africa. The reason? They can't afford the medical treatment that could prolong their lives.
AIDS doesn't just rob African children of their parents. It also infects the children themselves. Ninety percent of the world's HIV –infected children live in Africa.
Without parents to care for them, children might be taken in by other relatives, or they might end up in overcrowded orphanages. Many children try to take care of themselves and their younger siblings.
Many organizations are devoted to ending the suffering. Two among them are the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and Doctors Without Borders. And Madonna is not the only celebrity who wants to help African kids. For years, Irish activist and rocker Bono has been urging the world's leaders to do more for Africa. The Clinton Foundation, headed by former President Bill Clinton, brings AIDS treatments to thousands of Africans who otherwise could not afford them. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is helping African farmers grow better crops. Other celebrities who have recently visited Africa include Oprah Winfrey, Jessica Simpson, Lindsay Lohan, George Clooney, and Clay Aiken.
Of course, the reason to care about Africa's kids isn't because celebrities do. But when celebrities do things, people take notice. The good news for Africa's children is that the rest of the world is starting to pay attention.
Back to Top
|
|
Waiting for classes to begin at the Mjiwa Salama children's home, in Mombasa, Kenya. |
"With the childhood of so many under threat, our [shared] future is [at risk]," warned United Nations (U.N.) Secretary-General Kofi Annan last year.
A Land of Beauty and Troubles
Africa is a land of great beauty, but also of many troubles. The problems stem from the region's extreme poverty. Africa's people suffer from a lack of jobs and education. Clean water is hard to find in many places. In some countries-including Zimbabwe and Angola–corrupt government leaders steal the nations' wealth for their own pockets. Civil wars disrupt life in Burundi and Sudan. Everywhere, children must deal with war, starvation, and disease.
Those problems have left millions of African children without parents. The U.N. estimates that more than 48 million African children living south of the Sahara desert are orphans. Of those, about 18 million have lost their parents to the incurable disease AIDS. People with AIDS often die needlessly in Africa. The reason? They can't afford the medical treatment that could prolong their lives.
 |
AIDS doesn't just rob African children of their parents. It also infects the children themselves. Ninety percent of the world's HIV –infected children live in Africa.
Without parents to care for them, children might be taken in by other relatives, or they might end up in overcrowded orphanages. Many children try to take care of themselves and their younger siblings.
Hope and Help
The problems facing Africa's children are scary and sad. But now people around the world are trying to help.
 |
Of course, the reason to care about Africa's kids isn't because celebrities do. But when celebrities do things, people take notice. The good news for Africa's children is that the rest of the world is starting to pay attention.
Links:
To find out more about the organizations helping Africa's children, check these sites:
|
|
 |
Add to del.icio.us |  Subscribe Now |
RSS