How to Help Fight HIV/AIDS
EmailOn this World AIDS Day, there was a dramatic announcement from South Africa, which has the most HIV cases of any country — and has spent years turning its back on the best science and drugs for the disease. All HIV-positive babies will now be treated, testing and treatment will be expanded for pregnant women, and President Jacob Zuma will take an HIV test.
But the toll AIDS has taken on South Africa is impossible to measure. David Muir met four children in Johannesburg — enduring great loss. 17-year old Thozama and her teenage brother Thozamele where orphaned when their mother died of AIDS three years ago. They now take on the role of parents in caring for their two younger sisters who are still in elementary school. The four children live together without power or running water.
Nhlanhla Mosebi is the project manager of a group working to help children in the township where Thozama, Thozamele and their sisters live. To contact his organization, you can send an email to vukuzenzele@webmail.co.za.
And UNAIDS, the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS, works in more than 80 countries across the world to help fight the AIDS epidemic. You can visit their website HERE.
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Thank you for bringing attention to the plight of children impacted by AIDS epidemic. Just as you reported about the children in South Africa, in Ethiopia, a generation of adults is dying, leaving behind an estimated 4.8 million orphaned children. Many of these children test positive for HIV themselves. A non-profit organization, AHOPE for Children, provides two children’s homes for the care of children infected with HIV and also runs a Child Development Center. Please visit the AHOPE website to learn more.
Posted by: Abby Davids | December 1, 2009, 7:04 pm 7:04 pm
Hello; my name is Daniel OMalley. i am posting a comment because I watched the special on the young teenage girl and her brother whose mother passed away from AIDs. i would like to help them with funds that i could send them and there younger siblings. basically to help there schooling and basic life needs. im not rich but would like to send whatever i can to these specific children in there time of need. they were interviewed by David Muir
Posted by: Daniel O'Malley | December 1, 2009, 7:09 pm 7:09 pm
I just want to share that I would like Thozama and her teenage brother Thozamele to get some help with getting to school. Is it posssible for me to get them bike for school. 4 mile is a long walk. and they seem to deserve it. I am just so amaze what young people can do when life makes big changes. If any body can help, please let me know.
Posted by: larry blas | December 1, 2009, 7:22 pm 7:22 pm
I too would like to know how to personally help Thozama and Thozamele. I don’t want to just give money. I would really like to start a food drive or clothing collection maybe even donate some sort of transportation for them? This story made me realize how much I really have & I feel compelled to give more after seeing this story.
Posted by: Erica | December 1, 2009, 8:02 pm 8:02 pm
I also would like to know how to help Thozama and Thozamele. My husband is a private pilot and would like to the boy learn how to fly
Posted by: Bonnie | December 1, 2009, 10:20 pm 10:20 pm
I was touched by the young family you spoke with tonight Decemebr 2nd. The young girl and boy who have yaken on the parental role for their 2 younger siblings.
Please advise how I can get more information about this extraordinary family as I would like to reach out and help them.
Posted by: Wayne | December 1, 2009, 10:27 pm 10:27 pm
I am an American who has lived in Johannesburg.I can tell you the nmber of of children who are AIDS orphans and the number of teenagers who are left to raise their younger siblings is overwhelming.Someone posted a message saying they wanted to help the young family of oprhaned siblings with bikes so they would not have to walk 4 miles to school. The problem with that is that the bikes most likely would be stolen or hijacked. If you want to help these children,help by adopting them. Get them out of South Africa or at least get these kids out of the township and out of the shack they live in. Help them relocate to a better suburb in Johnannesburg. It is one of the most dangerous countries in the world to live in. It is also the most beautiful country i have ever been to. The people are so friendly. The problem is there is extreme wealth due to the abundant natural resources ( gold,platinum, diamonds, uranium etc) and there is extreme poverty as well.
Posted by: Mary | December 2, 2009, 8:57 am 8:57 am
I too would like to help this young girl and boy who have taken on the responsibility of raising their siblings after their mother died of AID’s. I would like to know how I can help Thozama and Thosamele personaly. They are in dire need of help and so deserving. I want to direct my help directly to them.
Posted by: Sue Duckworth | December 2, 2009, 7:13 pm 7:13 pm
HIV information is something one must know in order to keep themselves free from any complication that may arise. One of the health problems that makes scientist continue their experiment is finding vaccines to cure HIV virus.
Posted by: Kiara | January 28, 2010, 11:28 pm 11:28 pm
Educating the people and increasing the awareness about the virus and the infection is perhaps the best means of preventing the disease. The use of condoms during sexual contact can greatly reduce the risk of infection.
Posted by: rachell | March 1, 2010, 8:03 pm 8:03 pm