Zimbabwe is known for its diverse wildlife and stunning landscapes. However, few are aware of the crisis that is affecting children and young adults under the age of 18 who are left with no other choice but to become the sole providers of their households. Here are some harsh but real facts about orphans in Zimbabwe:

• HIV/AIDS contributes largely to the number of orphans in Zimbabwe – There are more than 1.3 million orphaned children in Zimbabwe, most of which have HIV/AIDS. According to the National AIDS Council (NAC), over 50,000 households are headed by children under the age of 18 who have lost parents to this deadly disease.
• Children are born with HIV/AIDS – Adults are not the only victims of HIV/AIDS. This infection can also be passed from mother to child by way of pregnancy, delivery or breastfeeding. Some 180,000 children were born with it to date and as a result, these children become highly vulnerable and often face social prejudice.
• Orphans can go to next of kin, but that is not always an option – Traditionally, orphaned Zimbabweans are taken in by the next-of-kin living in the surrounding area. This can often be aunts, uncles and/or grandparents. However, due to the destruction of families because of HIV/AIDS, this is not always the case. It is predicted that by 2030, orphaned Zimbabwean children will not only have to deal with the loss of their parents but will also not have support available from grandparents or other family members.
• Many run away after becoming orphaned – In the 2001 UNICEF Orphan and Vulnerable Children Evaluation Report, it was stated that children dealing with AIDS in some form were highly mobile, meaning that some 50% had left their homes after the death of their parents/relatives. The report says these children headed for rural areas in order to ease hardships involved with living in the urban areas of Zimbabwe.
• Their education is poor – Education is lacking and in dire need of improvement. Adequate education in Zimbabwe for orphaned children is not easily accessible, especially for adolescent girls who are often unable to attend school. As such, these children are missing out on key skills needed to be a functioning member of society.
• Poverty is certain – In addition to the loss of parents, many orphaned children struggle with extreme poverty. Whilst poverty is destructive to all children, it is especially devastating to orphans under the age of 18 who have become the head of their household. They are simply exposed to numerous risks including but not limited to: poor health, poor educational opportunities, delays in development and a lack of emotional or social support.
• Many are not given a birth certificate which prevents them from accessing education and health care – In Zimbabwe, a high amount of children never receive a birth certificate and as such it becomes almost impossible to secure a spot in any school. This reduces their chances of adequate and sustainable education. In addition to this, never receiving a birth certificate can make seeking medical attention, especially for orphans living with HIV/AIDS, extremely challenging.