There are 30 million people living in Kenya and over 2 million of them are living with HIV/AIDS. Women account for 55% of the total cases with the highest prevalence in the 20-25 year old age group. In large part, the AIDS epidemic has led to the death of many adults in the prime of their lives. Children below the age of 15 years make up 49% of the Kenyan population and many of them are orphans.

Some Facts:

• Children orphaned by AIDS are often the first to be denied education when their extended families cannot afford school tuition. In addition, they may be denied access to schooling because of the stigma and the irrational fear surrounding AIDS.
  
  
• Children who have been orphaned by AIDS may not receive the health care they need - most AIDS orphans are not HIV infected.
  
  
• Orphaned children accumulate even greater burdens of responsibility as head of household when a grandparent or other guardian caregiver dies.
  
  
• Orphaned children who may be emotionally vulnerable and financially desperate are more likely to be sexually abused and forced into exploitative situations, such as prostitution, as a means of survival.