Physical Health Zambia Project #6672

Health Care for 500 HIV+ Children in Zambia

by Power of Love Foundation

Health Care for 500 HIV+ Children in Zambia

Project Report | Oct 31, 2021
Need For a Comprehensive Pediatric HIV Care Program

By Alka Subramanian | Executive Director

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About Zambia and its children: Zambia is a democratic country, rich in mineral resources and a young population (53% of its population is under the age of 18 with a median age of 17 years). The country has made significant progress in reducing vertical transmission of HIV as over 90% of pregnant women are on treatment. However, 59% of children live in poor households with 45% living in extreme poverty, and 35% of children under five have stunted growth. In addition, most of its estimated one million orphans live with grandmothers/extended family who have little knowledge of HIV and no source of income. The ongoing pandemic has exacerbated this situation. Zambia, and many other countries in Africa, are not on track to achieve the healthcare and zero hunger goals (#2 and 3) of UN’s sustainable development goals for 2030. There is an immediate need to prioritize food security and healthcare needs.

Pediatric HIV Care: Power of Love’s pediatric HIV care program provides food, medicines, and a comprehensive package of health care services to 500 children living with HIV in resource poor neighborhoods in Lusaka, Zambia. A few program activities completed this year are given below:

The program was expanded so we now have 500 HIV+ children under our care. Family members of the new children received training in hygiene and basic nursing.
All children and their families were provided with education on COVID, and PPE.
All 500 HIV+ children enrolled receive food, medicines and a comprehensive package of life saving health care services. All are stable and/or improving in health.
229 children were provided with funds for school expenses such as fees, uniforms, shoes, and book bags in 2021, as compared to 156 children in 2020.
Pregnant women received education in elimination of vertical transmission of HIV.
All families received long lasting insecticide treated bed nets to prevent malaria.
All families received clean cooking stoves information on how to use these stoves. These clean cooking stoves are environmentally friendly, generate less smoke, use less fuel, and cook food faster. This has resulted in improved health due to reduced smoke inhalation, and lower expenses for fuel.
COVID education workshops launched last year have benefitted more than 1,100 children to date.

Impact: These program activities have set off a chain reaction of positive outcomes. For example, better nutrition and health enables children to miss fewer days at school, and for adults to have a more stable source of income. Improved knowledge regarding HIV care and prevention results in more people getting tested leading to HIV prevention.

Going forward our plan is to further expand the program, increase the skills levels of community members, and provide education that is climate adaptive. The goal of all program activities is to build self-reliant families and more sustainable communities.

Thanks for giving the gift of health and education to orphans and vulnerable children.

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Jul 21, 2021
Meet Our Heroes

By Alka Subramanian | Executive Director

Training Session in Progress

The ongoing pandemic has made life more difficult for vulnerable communities globally. In resource poor communities, more families face food insecurity due to the impact of COVID, and other factors such as climate change and conflict. For the last 18 months our goal has been to keep families in our program educated on COVID prevention and healthy, and to ensure that children attend school/continue with schoolwork.

All 500 HIV+ children enrolled in our pediatric HIV care program inspire us every day with their positive attitude and their actions to overcome challenges. All of them are heroes. Given below are two stories of children who are staying healthy and attending school. These children receive food, medicines, regular health monitoring, training in adherence, and counseling. Their families receive education in HIV, ongoing training in how to take care of an HIV+ child, environmentally friendly cooking stoves, COVID education, and insecticide treated bed nets.

Jas (name changed) is a 15-year-old girl who lives with her mom as she lost her dad when she was eight. Her mom is the sole caregiver for her, her brother, her grandmother, and three orphaned step siblings (a total of 12 people in her household). They live with her grandma in a 4-room house which has no electricity or water. In 2008, Jas was tested for HIV as she had complaints of diarrhea and vomiting. Soon after she enrolled in our pediatric HIV care program and her mom enrolled in our micro loans program so she could receive business training and loans. Her mom used loan funds to start a fruit and charcoal stand. Post enrollment, Jas's health improved steadily, and she is adhering well to her medication. She is a sixth grader who loves school.

Brad (name changed) is a 16-year-old boy who lives with his parents, and three siblings. Both his parents are on treatment for HIV. His family lives in a two-room home with no electricity, or water. His father lost his part time job during COVID last year. His mom sells bread, and they can barely afford two meals per day. In 2016, Brad tested positive for HIV as he had complaints of diarrhea and stunted growth. He started treatment soon after, but his health did not improve. In 2018, he was enrolled in our pediatric HIV care program. After enrollment, his health stabilized, and he has no complaints now. He adheres to his medication regimen. He is a sixth grader and likes school.

It is the positive attitude of children enrolled that makes this program unique. Each child is special, brings us unlimited joy and inspires us every day.

Thanks for keeping hundreds of children healthy and in school.

A toddler undergoing a routine health check-up

She loves school

Health team participating in refresher training

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May 9, 2021
Wishing all Moms A Happy Mothers Day

By Alka Subramanian | Executive Director

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