Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2005. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
South African Press Association - June 14, 2005
Ralf Krueger
Pitt was experiencing for the first time the circumstances under which millions of children on the continent live and often die.
Disease, malnutrition, and early death hang over their lives right from the start.
The Day of the African Child is marked every year on June 16, in memory of the uprising by the schoolchildren of Soweto near Johannesburg in 1976 that was brutally put down by the forces of apartheid.
An African childhood is marked, above all, by lack. Children face crises every day of their lives, whether with regard to clean drinking water, adequate food, clothing, properly equipped schools or medicine.
Diarrhoea, malaria, measles and HIV/Aids are frequent causes of death, even though there are often simple, cheap and effective remedies, such as vaccination or saline drips to prevent dehydration from diarrhoea.
Even these are often not available because Africa's poorest cannot afford them.
The United Nations estimates that around three million African children will die from malaria this year. Mosquito nets would be an effective preventive measure, but many people cannot afford them.
Close to half -- 43% -- of the population of sub Saharan Africa does not have access to clean drinking water.
Under these conditions it is little wonder that a fifth of all children die before reaching the age of five.
In Africa being a child means fetching water and carrying it long distances from an early age and helping in the fields or looking after smaller children.
But it also means close family ties and astonishing creativity in making toys from refuse or whatever else comes to hand.
Africa's children need will to survive. Mortality is high among babies and mothers alike.
Whereas around one woman in 2 800 dies during pregnancy or in childbirth in the developed world, this figure reaches one in 16 in Africa.
HIV/Aids is rampant particularly in the south of the continent, and it is claiming an increasing number of children. One child dies of HIV/Aids every five minutes in Zimbabwe.
"Around 110 Zimbabweans under the age of 15 will be infected with HIV today. Tomorrow there will be another 110, and 110 more the day after that," Carol Bellamy, the head of the United Nations children's organisation Unicef, said during her most recent African trip in May.
050614
SA050607
Copyright © 2005 - South African Press Association. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the South African Press Association, Cotswold House, Greenacres Office Park, Cnr. Victory & Rustenburg Roads, VICTORY PARK, PO BOX 7766, JOHANNESBURG, 2000; Fax No: +27 11 782-1587/8, Tel No: +27 11 782-1600.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Elton John AIDS Foundation, National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2005. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2005. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .