Introduction
The spread of HIV/AIDS is one of the biggest challenges facing our Country today and poses economic, social and health challenges. Tamilnadu being one of high prevalence state urgent measures are required to control the pandemic.
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No generation is spared because of the catastrophic consequences of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. From newborn babies of HIV- positive mothers to elderly caregivers, the disease does not discriminate. One of the most tragic consequences is the toll on children. The lives of many children who may not have HIV themselves are affected when family members have HIV and AIDS. Families face increased poverty and stress when adults are too sick to continue with paid employment or to farm their land. Mothers who are ill find it more difficult to care for young children, and young children themselves may end up caring for younger siblings or sick parents. Loss of a parent or parents can affect young children in many ways.
* Children lose their rights to property or land.
* In orphaned children, family support systems are under great strain.
* Young children are cared for by grand-parents or older siblings who are unable to cope or afford extra food and clothing, or they may be cared for reluctantly by relatives who already have too many demands.
* Loss, grief and confusion, children from families affected by HIV and AIDS are stigmatized and rejected and not allowed to play with other children.
* Affected Children are denied health care, either because it is assumed that they too have HIV infection or because the family cannot afford treatment costs.
In these circumstances, young children are less likely to be sent to school and are expected to work at a very young age to contribute to household finances. They may be seen as a burden; especially young girls because they may need to be provided with a dowry or because they will marry out of the family and therefore not contribute financially. The magnitude of the problem is that the middle generation is wiping out & older generation is to shoulder the additional responsibilities of caring the children with a meager income they survive upon. This was the time when an intervention for the CIA/CAA was thought of by BRIDGES, YWCA in Salem District in Collaboration with Project Concern International, shoulders the project BRIDGES.
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