The "Older Orphans" of Africa

The HIV/AIDS pandemic has not only robbed children of their parents, it has robbed older parents of their adult children. Janet Guyer, PC(USA) HIV/AIDS consultant for Southern Africa, calls these parents the “older orphans” because, at an age when they would expect to be cared for by their children, they are parenting their grandchildren.

“Southern Africa has the highest HIV/AIDS infection rate in the world,” Janet Guyer reports. “Everyone is affected in some way by the pandemic.”

Janet works with our partner churches in South Africa who are facing the needs of these “older orphans” and the children who are now in their care. The community-based child care that many churches sponsor gives these caregivers some relief and offers a place for children to go when they are not in school. Some churches have set up scholarship funds to make it possible for children to attend school.

The church in South Africa needs our prayers, Janet says. “Pray they they will have wisdom about how they can address the HIV/AIDS issue for their church.”

MBF is committed to the support of Janet Guyer and her HIV/AIDS ministry.