A Census of Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Two Villages in Botswana

This survey researches the little-known impact of HIV/AIDS on children. It investigates HIV prevalence rates among children, the risk factors that predispose them to becoming infected and the effects of the epidemic on their care and support. This study forms part of the larger Nelson Mandela/HSRC study of HIV/AIDS

This report encompasses a situational analysis which was carried out in seven research sites in Botswana: Palapye, Letlhakeng, Kanye, Mahalapye, Molepolole, Serowe and Maun. Information was collected from orphans and vulnerable children (OVC), their caregivers, community members, community-based organisations (CBOs), government officials and community leaders; as well as members of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and faith-based organisations (FBOs). The objectives of the study as outlined in this report, are to improve the living conditions of orphans and vulnerable children; to support households and families to cope with the increasing burden of care for affected and vulnerable children; to strengthen community-based support systems under which vulnerable children exist; and to build community-based systems for sustaining care and support to vulnerable children and their families.

In Africa, as in many parts of the world, adolescent reproductive health is a controversial issue for policy makers and programme planners. Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to HIV and AIDS and to a host of other problems such as sexually transmitted infection, unwanted pregnancy, unsafe abortions, sexual abuse, female genital mutilation and unsafe circumcision. Yet many countries don't have adolescent health policies and much remains to be done to ensure that adolescents can access appropriate sexual and reproductive health services.

Zip Zip My Brain Harts is the result of collaboration between Buckland (a photographer) and HSRC researchers concerned with disability issues. Angie Bucklands remarkable photographs, interspersed with challenging text, are a unique expression of the fullness of human experience, with all its joy, pain and confusion.