I have been doing a little research on some of the places Sarah and Ryan have recently visited. I was shocked at some of the stats I found.
According to the UN, the life expectancy of Zimbabwean women is only 34 years. You can read more about it here http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4890508.stm
In Zimbabwe, 1 in 5 children are orphans because their parents have died of AIDS. 25% of the population of Zimbabwe has AIDS. Of the 20 countries with the highest rate of AIDS, 19 of them are african countries.
Zambia isn't much better. Life expectancy there is only 43, and the average household income for 1 year is only $370. Just over 1 in 10 infants that are born alive, die before their first birthday. This number does not include the infants that are stillborn. If you were to look at the number of children that die before their 5th birthday, the numbers woud be much higher, about 3 or 4 out of 10 children.
1 comments:
You no what else I have learnt? That every 4 seconds a child in Africa dies from malaria; a completly treatable disease.
I have heard that families get money from the government until their child reaches 5 to try to increase their odds of living. I am guessing to afford food and medical.
The orphanages here full of kids orphaned by AIDS. Suds and are are hoping to visit one and donate some toys before we leave.
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