[vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1459507735619{margin-bottom: 108px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”The Problem” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]We are not AIDS experts, but we live in a country where AIDS stares us in the eyes every day. We tried to ignore it – skeptically saying, “The government will do something about it.” But, God would not allow us to rest until we did something.

As church leaders, we have had the privilege of working with people from all walks of life. In confidence, they would share with us their stories. Sad stories of how they had succumbed to HIV/AIDS. We thought about the children that were being left behind and from that day we knew that God was calling us to do something to help children orphaned by AIDS.

Africa has a large number of children orphaned as a result of AIDS. Traditionally children such as these were often cared for by the immediate relatives, but because of the large number of deaths, the immediate relatives (usually grandparents) are finding it more and more difficult to care for additional dependents. African culture has never really accepted the concept of orphanages because it has such a strong tradition for families to care for the children of relatives and even friends. But as families are being overwhelmed by the cost of caring for so many children and as more child-headed households spring up, there are more discussions about how to care for children in a way that respects tradition but also provides basic care.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]Most experts on childcare worldwide agree that institutional care is much less desirable for the healthy development of children than some kind of family care. Children are seen as carrying on traditions of the family, they inherit the land, and are keepers of the family name and honor. To leave the family is to lose the things culture considers most dear.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]