Africa's children orphaned by AIDS

AIDS orphans tend to be younger than other orphans; UNICEF estimates that one in three AIDS orphans is younger than age 5 years.3 Furthermore, the guardians that foster these orphans are generally older-eg, grandparents-than those who foster other orphans; the aunts or uncles who would normally take on the role of guardian often having also died of AIDS. In Uganda in 2001, the average age of guardians was 48 years.4 As a result of whole generations being affected by AIDS, grandparents often find themselves looking after large numbers of children, putting an enormous strain on household resources already more limited than would be those of a younger, more physically able guardian.