Child Headed Households

The increase of HIV/AIDS combined with high poverty levels and years of drought have produced so many orphans that traditional family structures can no longer cope.

Children who lose their parents are left alone to deal with their grief, are plunged deeper into economic crisis, and become responsible to care for siblings with little or no support from impoverished communities. Children as young as 10 years old are forced into the role of "head of household". They are too young to assume these responsibilities, yet have no choice.

Most are forced to leave school to earn a living. Begging, prostitution or manual labors are their only options. They have no access to health care and become vulnerable to malnutrition as resources dwindle. They sleep on bare floors, many with no blankets. Those that have a bed, often have no mattress. Can you imagine your own children left to such a fate?

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Martin and Simon Kabwe

Martin, age 10 is completely responsible for the care of his 6-year-old brother, Simon. They live in a one-room house, food is scarce, and they sleep on a flour sack resting on the cement floor.

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Sakala Tembo Phiri Bedroom

There IS hope for the children who are found living in Child Headed Households. We need your help to make these solutions a reality.