HIV and AIDS threatens the livelihood of entire continents. On December 1, World AIDS Day serves as a worldwide call to action against this global pandemic.
AIDS is the leading cause of death in sub-Saharan Africa and is spreading quickly in Asia, the Caribbean, and Eastern Europe. 40 million people around the world are infected with HIV. Two thirds of them are women. 2.3 million are children.
More than 8,000 people die of AIDS every day—that's more than five deaths every minute. As a result, 14 million children under age 15 have lost one or both parents to this disease.
Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise
On World AIDS Day, people around the world gather to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS, remember the millions of victims, and promote HIV prevention.
The theme of the 2005 World AIDS Day campaign is "Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise." The new campaign calls on the governments that signed the United Nations' Declaration of Commitment on HIV and AIDS in June 2001 to follow through on their promises to help reverse the pandemic.
World Vision Provides Hope
World Vision is actively working to reduce the global impact of HIV and AIDS on children, their families, and communities. World Vision Partners with communities, churches, and other faith groups in HIV-ravaged regions and is dedicated to:
- caring for children orphaned by AIDS and other affected children
- educating boys and girls (5-15 years old) about preventing HIV
Our areas of focus are:
Prevention
World Vision works with schools, churches, and youth groups to:
- teach children about the importance of abstinence, fidelity, and condom use
- train volunteers about reproductive health issues
- educate young women on protecting their babies from HIV infection
Care
Through existing projects, World Vision:
- funds educational skills training, and provides farming supplies and clean water
- ensures children receive physical, emotional, and spiritual care through community networks and home visits
- provides nursing care and educates families about health care and disease prevention
Advocacy
World Vision lobbies governments, communities, churches, and other faith groups for:
- funding and other support for orphans and vulnerable children
- protection for vulnerable women and children
- access to affordable drugs and treatments
