The Buliisa Orphans Project
At present, there are nearly 1.5 million HIV/AIDS orphans in Uganda. The poverty, emotional devastation, and other hardships brought about by losing one's parents means that the care and protection of orphans in Uganda, as elsewhere in Africa, is of paramount importance. Buliisa District has been particularly badly hit, with 26% of its population currently infected with the HIV/AIDS virus (in comparison with a national average of 6.4%).
The Buliisa Orphans Project is improving the lives of orphans and vulnerable children by encouraging income generation through Village Savings and Loans Associations and improving the diet of OVCs by providing seeds and seedlings and training people in modern agricultural practices. Back-yard gardens are supplying families with the nutrition they need. In addition, the project promotes child protection awareness by educating the carers and their children about children's rights, including the right to food, education and shelter.