In the central region where Nakasongola District is, the percentage of vulnerable children is 48.8%, which is the second highest in Uganda after Northern region with 58.5% vulnerable children (Uganda National Health Survey, 2006). It is estimated that there are 2 million orphaned children in Uganda with approximately one million due to HIV. HIV/AIDS is one of the critical factors causing vulnerability among children

Today, there are over 15 million orphaned children in Africa, many of whom have lost parents to the horrors of AIDS.

The AIDS epidemic contributes to deepening poverty in many communities. An entire generation of youngsters is often orphaned two or three times as their parents die to be replaced by grandparents, aunts, uncles and other relatives who also fall victim to the disease. These children grow up in an emotional and spiritual vacuum without a future and without hope.

They’ve been labeled “The Orphaned Generation.”

Many of these children are forced to abandon their home village, go into the large cities and become street children, begging, stealing, eating from garbage dumps, and in general have a miserable existence. Some are imprisoned where they suffer severe trauma and sexual abuse from adult inmates.

Through its many assistance programs, Shalom For Africa ensures that:

• Orphans and needy children in their care get access to an education.
• The children receive proper health care, food, shelter and clothing.
• The children don’t become victims of neglect and child abuse.
• What is needed for internal growth is provided.
• The restoration of the children’s rights to basic needs.

With the help of our partners, we can continue to prevent these children from moving to the nearby towns to become street children and criminals. We can enable children to undergo an integrated growth that produces responsible society members. Child labor can be curbed and illiteracy can be reduced.