As the most forgotten segment in societies around the world, the obstacles orphans face in developing nations like Uganda are deeply appalling. These children have no home, education or health care, and, most importantly, no family to love and nurture them. In a nation such as Uganda, where the ravages of AIDS and the conflicts of war have decimated families, one finds a significant proportion of the youth orphaned. In fact, about two million Ugandan children – almost 20 per cent of all children nationally – are orphans who have lost one or both parents to HIV/AIDS. These vast seas of orphaned children present a major humanitarian crisis.

Worldwide, it is estimated that more than 15 million children under 18 have become AIDS orphans. More than 12 million of these children live in Africa, where it is currently estimated that 9% of all children have lost at least one parent due to AIDS. Consequently, the future of African children is under severe threat. As one of the most unprotected groups of people, orphans are faced with a demeaning poverty trap which they cannot fight all alone. Many have no relatives ready to help, no place to go, no food to eat and with these basic necessities unfulfilled, thoughts of an education are nonexistent.

Thanks to your donations Y.E.S. Uganda is able to provide African orphans with the guidance and support to help them find their way to better life.

Read the story of Andrew who is part of Y.E.S. childcare program.