There are already 12 million children orphaned by AIDS

It is a well-known fact that although HIV/AIDS has reached every part of the world, sub-Saharan Africa is the hardest hit. Today, there are already 12 million children orphaned by AIDS. As the epidemic continues to take lives, every 15 seconds AIDS orphans another child ... they are unseen by much of the world and unable to escape the cycle of poverty in which they have become trapped.

Habitat for Humanity has found that the extended family networks and orphanages that have thus far taken in bereaved and vulnerable children are at saturation point. Many orphans are now heading family units with no place to live and therefore they often end up as street children.

At Christmas 2006, we made the Orphans and Vulnerable Children programme the focus of our appeal and the response was truly fantastic.

Now, we'd like to give you an update on what we have achieved after the first few months of what is, initially a five-year programme to help the most vulnerable victims of AIDS escape poverty housing and homelessness.

Firstly, because Habitat for Humanity focuses on better access to housing solutions, we are increasingly working in partnership with other non-government organisations in order to take a more holistic approach to the needs of orphans and vulnerable children.

Our partnership with Opportunity International (OI) is one such example and we are currently partnering with them in Uganda, Zambia and Mozambique.

As part of Habitat for Humanity's 'Youth Apprenticeship Programme', Habitat for Humanity's masons and carpenters mentor orphaned youths in their particular construction trade. Upon completion of the apprenticeship, the young person may qualify for a start-up business loan. Read Marcelino's story to see how the project has changed the lives of one teenage boy and his family in Mozambique following the deaths of his parents from AIDS

The Orphans and Vulnerable Children Project gives hope to children like this Ugandan boy

In Uganda, we have already built 107 homes, providing shelter for 417 orphans and vulnerable children. For each house built, at least one orphan or vulnerable child received training in house construction. The young people acting as head of the household were also given HIV/AIDS education; training on inheritance planning and training on income generation.

In Mozambique, Habitat for Humanity has expanded into two new communities to respond specifically to the needs of orphans and vulnerable children. So far, 120 orphans and vulnerable children have benefited from a safe and decent place to live. Again, Habitat for Humanity is working in partnership with other NGO's in these communities to provide not only shelter but basic health education along with HIV/AIDS awareness.

In Uganda, Zambia and Mozambique, Habitat for Humanity is accelerating the pace at which it is building in communities heavily impacted by HIV/AIDS. This enables families in these communities to care for orphans as part of their own extended family.

In addition to building more homes in these communities, Habitat for Humanity is giving home-improvement loans to help families carry out much needed repairs and build extensions to accommodate the children in their care.

By the end of the initial five-year phase, we will have sheltered more than 4,000 children and helped another 450 to qualify in a trade with which to generate their own income.

Your support has helped us to achieve so much in this first year and we very much hope you will continue to support the project in the years to come.

Habitat for Humanity is also working to help children orphaned by AIDS in South Africa. Read Jiko's story

More about the HIV/AIDS situation in South Africa, Mozambique, Zambia and Uganda