African Children

Challenging Malnutrition, Poverty, Disease

African children face the primary challenge of basic daily survival. According to the United Nations, lack of food, clean water, medical aid, clothing and proper housing contribute to their daily struggles. They have so little.

They know a world filled with hunger and malnutrition, disease, and poverty. The United Nations Children's Fund reported 5 million sub-Saharan children under the age of 5 died of malnutrition in 2006. Twenty percent don't reach the age of 6. Over 1.4 million African children under the age of 15 are living with HIV/AIDS. Ninety percent of the world's HIV positive children are African. Many have lost one or both parents to this dreaded disease.

Many children of Africa have become orphaned as a result of war, leaving them alone in what are already dire circumstances. They become vulnerable targets to child sexual exploitation and millions are living on the streets.

Africans are keen on education, knowing it will provide a way out of their poverty, to a place of self reliance and hope. Unfortunately, most have no access to, or resources for education in Africa. While government education is free, it is often too far away from those living in remote areas. There are also hidden costs such as uniforms, shoes, books, pens and pencils, food and the loss of labour to the families.

With sick or absent parents, the children often have to find some kind of work to support themselves and their families. Twenty-five percent of the African child population are involved in child labour and are between the ages of 10 and 14.

The worlds 25 poorest countries are all found in Africa. With hundreds of millions of debt, Africa health care in crisis, and corrupt governments, it's not likely that the means lie fully within to help the African children.

The Julia Project Foundation wants to make a difference in the lives of hurting children in poverty!

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