Thembalethu soccer academy

Children in Zimbabwe who have lost their parents to AIDS face extraordinary hardships. But many have advocates committed to helping them rise above their circumstances."In our work ,Thembalethu Soccer Academy we are trying to ensure these kids despite all the challenges they have faced and will face in their lives develop to their full potential. Most children become orphans as the result of AIDS. However, children in Zimbabwe can also be orphaned or deemed highly vulnerable because of disability, early marriage, neglect, abuse or living

Overall, the numbers of children affected by HIV are staggering. In December 2006, UNICEF announced that Zimbabwe has the world's highest percentage of children orphaned by AIDS, with almost one in every four children having lost at least one parent to the disease. This has led to a total orphan population of 1.6 million children. Two years earlier, the government estimated that approximately 318,000 Zimbabwean children were living in households headed by children. This typically means that both parents have died and one of the older siblings has assumed the parental role. In addition, approximately 165,000 Zimbabwean children are HIV-positive.

We are working to meet their needs, I feel it is most important to remember that these kids are first and foremost children. They love to play, go to school, and cause trouble every now and again. The health and development of children are the responsibility of all of us and orphans and vulnerable children need our help the most.

Orphans and vulnerable children face challenges ranging from lack of sufficient food to lack of overall parental oversight, especially in the case of child-headed households. On visits to some communities, the most obvious indication of child suffering I've observed is when adult responsibilities have shifted to the child. Most often it's the eldest child who bears the burden of caring for the home and his or her siblings. You'll see them working in the field instead of going to school. Community members do help out when they can, but often they are also burdened with caring for other orphans.

Other children are fortunate to have parents with the means to pay for private lessons or home-schooling, but orphans typically can't afford this. Rural areas are the hardest hit.Despite the country's economic hardships, education is highly regarded here. The importance of getting an education is infused in the entire society. Children want to be educated and believe it is critical to their future.