Pediatric Care for Children Affected
by HIV in Lusaka, Zambia | 2019

World Centric + Power of Love

$59,706 from profits from fiscal year 2018

In Zambia, over 1 million children have been orphaned, mostly due to the impact of AIDS. Most orphaned children live with relatives who themselves may be sick with HIV. Families often have little knowledge about HIV prevention. Despite the availability of medications, many children lack treatment resulting in malnourishment, sickness, and inability to attend school. Life expectancy for a child born HIV+ is just 4-5 years. On top of these challenges, 42% of the population of Zambia lives in extreme poverty.

Power of Love provides food, medicines, and health services to 450 HIV+ children in Lusaka, Zambia. Their model of care is a unique, community-based approach developed to provide comprehensive care for HIV+ infants and children. The program was created in partnership with MIT's D-Lab, the Harvard School of Public Health, and the Waitt Family Foundation to bring for-profit best-practices and cost-management into a resource stressed environment. It is unique because it puts the onus of care back into the home. Services for both children and their families include health checkups, psycho-social counseling, education, and training in HIV prevention.

The Impact

• Health services, food, and medicines for 450 HIV+ children.
• Training in HIV care and prevention for families.
• 75 children receive school support (fees, uniforms, shoes, school bags, etc).

Indirect impacts:

• 95% survival rate.
• Health improvements measured by an increase in weight and higher CD4 counts.
• Reduction in new HIV infections.
• 20% increase in school attendance.
• Increase in community knowledge of better hygiene practices.

About Power of Love

A World Centric partner since 2014.

POL funds and runs projects in Zambia and India targeted toward helping women and children infected/affected with HIV/AIDS. Their vision is a world where the AIDS epidemic is in continuous retreat, and people living with HIV have access to loving care and treatment in an environment free of stigma and discrimination.

More projects with Power of Love:

• Microloans Program for Women Affected by HIV in Lusaka, Zambia
• Mosquito Nets to Prevent Malaria in Lusaka & Kapiri-Mposhi, Zambia
• School Fees and Food for Impoverished Children in Bengaluru, India