Pediatric Care for Children Affected
by HIV in Lusaka, Zambia | 2017

World Centric + Power of Love

$47,230.00 from profits from fiscal year 2017

In Zambia, 94,000 children aged 0-14 are estimated to be living with HIV and 480,000 children have been orphaned by AIDS. Since 42% of the population lives in extreme poverty, it is difficult for families to care for orphans. These children do not get proper care and treatment so that they are malnourished, sick, and unable to attend school. Life expectancy for a child born HIV+ is just 4-5 years. Additionally, most families have little knowledge about HIV care and prevention.

The Impact

Provide food, medicines, and health services to 350 HIV+ children. Provide training in HIV care to 341 families. Services include psycho-social counseling, education in prevention of HIV, health check ups, and school support.

Indirect impacts:

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

The Approach

POL’s model of care is a unique, community-based approach developed to provide comprehensive care for HIV infected 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. Not only does this equip family members of HIV+ children with the skills they need to provide care, it also significantly reduces the cost of operations.

This multi-tiered model of care starts in the home with the caregivers themselves and leads up to medical professionals. Health professionals at each level are trained to provide medical care and to quickly escalate care to the next higher level

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