13 October 2006

ActionAid welcomes initiatives that highlight the problem of over half a million children orphaned by Aids in Malawi. Yet, whilst Madonna’s adoption of baby David Banda may make a difference to one child, ActionAid believes there are better ways to help.

Keeping parents alive
The very best way to help children affected by Aids is to keep their parents alive by giving them the anti retroviral Aids drugs they need. This was one of the promises made by world leaders at the G8 Gleneagles summit in 2005, and pressure must be put on governments to keep to that promise. 

Sponsoring children
Child sponsorship helps not only the child, but the community they live in. Children grow up in their own culture, and if orphaned, with any remaining family they have left. ActionAid sponsors are currently supporting over 100,000 children and their communities around the world. In Malawi, ActionAid sponsors 1,892 children.

ActionAid spokesperson, Jane Moyo said: ““Malawi needs sustainable long-term help to address the crucial issue of half a million Aids orphans.

"Child sponsorship is a constructive way for everyone to help fight poverty. We want long-term solutions for whole communities, not short-term fixes."