Academy for Educational Development

Washington, D.C., June 10, 2006 — Since the first case of AIDS was diagnosed 25 years ago, 12 million children in sub-Saharan Africa have been robbed of their parents.

Children orphaned by AIDS go to school less often and are especially vulnerable to disease, malnutrition, and neglect. Many caregivers are elderly, sick themselves, or living in extreme poverty.

A new documentary produced by the Academy for Educational Development offers an intimate portrait of three women left to care for orphans in the villages of western Kenya.

Tumaini Letu—Our Hope—introduces Rasoa Kivairu who is raising ten grandchildren. There is also Anna Khautu, a single mother of five who was destitute after her husband died of AIDS; and Anna Aredo who cares for her four nephews.

All of these women are part of AED’s Speak for the Child program. Begun in 2001, the project provides much-needed support to the overburdened caregivers of these orphans, including preschool fees, immunizations, basic medical care, and weekly visits by a trained community mentor who offers encouragement and practical information on raising healthy, happy children.

“Support for caregivers, as well as orphans and vulnerable children is necessary to help these children to grow into healthy, contributing members of society,” said Frank Beadle de Palomo, senior vice president and director of global HIV/AIDS programs for AED.

Speak for the Child began serving 500 orphans. Today there are more than 9,000 children in the program. The program has dramatically increased immunization rates for children under two from 0% to 94%; nearly halved the rate of malnutrition from 39% to 21%; and improved preschool enrollment and grade one eligibility from 42% to 90%.

AED plans to screen Tumaini Letu widely. It can also be viewed online at www.aed.org/ourhope.

“My hope is that these women’s stories of courage will inspire people and show that, despite alarming statistics, when communities receive support from programs like Speak for the Child and band together, progress can be made in mitigating the impact of HIV/AIDS,” said Natalie Halpern, AED media relations manager, who produced and directed the film.

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