Kenya's Children

Kenyn is a stunning country, renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and diverse wildlife. Unfortunately, it is also just as well known for its poverty, lack of education, and child malnutrition. Being a country with over 40 tribal groups, it has a diverse mix of cultures, religions, traditions, and customs. However, many children are being denied the chance to fully embrace and enjoy these things, as they are lacking in some of the basic fundamentals needed for a healthy life – education, proper sanitation, and uncontaminated food and water.

HIV and AIDS in Kenya
HIV/AIDS is a terrible problem worldwide, and these issues are highlighted fully by the plight of the Kenyan children. Around 300,000 Kenyan children have already lost one or both parents to HIV/AIDS, leaving many of them to live on the streets in grief, pain, and starvation. 1

Lack of education about how some diseases are transmitted is one of the major reasons why children in Kenya are susceptible to these horrific problems, especially in rural areas. In addition to this, HIV is often passed down between mother and child, denying the child an innocent start in life.

By the year 2005, Kenya 's Gross Domestic product (GDP) will be 14.5% smaller than it otherwise would have been had AIDS never occurred, according to an estimation made by a recent survey by AIDSCAP. 2

700 people die each day from HIV/AIDS in Kenya , and infection rates for people between the ages of 15 and 49 years old is around 25% in the rural areas. In addition to this, around 14% of woman in the country are living with HIV.

It has been estimated that the number of AIDS orphans in the country could actually be as high as 890,000. Regrettably, this shows no sign of abating, and these figures are estimated to go up every year. 3

Child Health
The health of Kenyan children and their families is an area that desperately needs help in this country. At one time, infant and child mortality rates decreased, but now they are on the rise again. They remain considerably higher than average in Western, Nyanza, and Coastal provinces.

The death rate and the majority of illnesses are caused by respiratory infections, diarrhoea, malnutrition, and the rapid spread of malaria and HIV/AIDS. Sadly, many of the diseases are preventable or treatable, but most children do not have access to the proper medical facilities.

Approximately 650 mothers die out of every 100,000 live births, meaning that newborns are often left without a parent the moment they are born.

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