Education Improves Lives
Scholarships for AIDS Orphans
The Challenge
Worldwide, it is estimated that more than 15 million children under 18 have been orphaned as a result of AIDS. Around 11.6 million of these children live in sub-Saharan Africa. Even with the expansion of antiretroviral treatment access, it is estimated that by 2015, the number of orphaned children will still be overwhelmingly high.
Children orphaned by AIDS may miss out on school enrolment, have their schooling interrupted or perform poorly in school as a result of their situation. Expenses such as school fees and school uniforms present major barriers, since many orphans’ care givers cannot afford these costs. Extended families sometimes see school fees as a major factor in deciding not to take on additional children orphaned by AIDS.
AIDS orphans may also leave school to attend to ill family members, work or to look after young siblings. Even before the death of a parent, children may miss out on educational opportunities.
Outside of school, AIDS orphans may also miss out on valuable life-skills and practical knowledge that would have been passed on to them by their parents. Without this knowledge and a basic school education, children may be more likely to face social, economic and health problems as they grow up.
The Response
Two programs which provide valuable educational scholarship and support for AIDS orphans have connections to the Nebraska Synod.
| AIDS Education/Scholarship Ministry | Tanzania Aids Orphan Scholarship Project |
To learn more about our companion synod relationships and how you and your congregation can be more deeply involved, please contact Pastor Martin Russell in the Nebraska Synod office by phone at 402.896.54311 or by e-mail.