HIV/AIDS: The Forgotten Children
HIV Babies and AIDS Orphans In 1986, Joy and Jim Jenkins began their quest to adopt. Three years later, on October 6, 1989, they celebrated the adoption of their first child, James Michael... the first AIDS adoption in Arizona. It marked the beginning of a home-based project that was to become the internationally known
Children With AIDS Project of America.
CWA seeks out adoptive parents for HIV infants and children, AIDS orphans, and drug addicted infants. The organization also locates these children who need permanent, loving families, and brings the two together. There is no charge for these services.
Finding their mission When the story of their first adoption hit the news, the couple was inundated with letters from around the world - from agencies trying to place abandoned babies with AIDS, and from people eager to adopt AIDS children. With knowledge gained during their own adoption process, and with help from others in the special needs adoption field like the DeBolts of
Adopt A Special Kid, Joy and Jim Jenkins found their calling.
They saw a tremendous gap between the children and potential families, and they began to compile a database of names on both sides of the equation: available children and loving families; then started a process of referring one to the other through agencies, attorneys, churches, and other organizations. Donated computer and office equipment, corporate sponsorship, and charitable donations continue to help this remarkable couple maintain the momentum and growth of their efforts to help those whom they call the "forgotten children."
Who are HIV children? Between 20% and 40% of children born to HIV-infected mothers are themselves infected with HIV. Antibodies passively transferred to the child during pregnancy can appear as HIV infection in test results for as long as 12-15 months, even though the child may not be truly HIV-positive. (This was the case with the Jenkins' son, who tested positive as an infant, but as he grew older, his results turned negative.)
In the case of infants who
are perinatally infected, as many as 50% will die before their second birthdays. A PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test which looks for the DNA of the virus, can differentiate between infants with maternal antibodies and those who are truly infected. When used, results have shown to be 90% accurate when the baby is 4 weeks old, and 99% accurate at 6 months; however, this test may not be widely available.
Number of AIDS orphans is rising dramatically Children who lose their parents to AIDS have been named "AIDS orphans" by the press. It is estimated that the number of these children in the US will reach somewhere between 80,000 - 125,000 by the year 2000. While parents with AIDS are encouraged to make care plans for their children, many do not, can not, or have not, and a large percentage of these children will end up in an already overburdened public welfare system.
Forgotten no more One adoption back in 1989 has grown into hope for the children, and hope for the system. The CWA database now numbers over 1,000 waiting families - from all states and three foreign countries. The organization's work has resulted in the placement of many children in permanent and foster homes, and an increased awareness of the needs of HIV children and AIDS orphans.
Today, the
Children With AIDS Project of America is a national publicly supported non-profit organization (501c3) and has moved into offices in Phoenix, where Jim mans the computers.
In addition to its primary services of referring families to children and children to families, CWA services include AIDS advocacy and education, speaking engagements, and networking with support groups.
For more information The
Children With AIDS Project of America offers books, tapes, pamphlets, and information packets for those interested in adopting, becoming foster parents, or providing respite care. Information is also available on speaking engagements, advocacy, and other issues surrounding adoption.
Visit their
Web site, or email Jim Jenkins at
jimjenkins@aidskids.org.
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Comments
These are truly the forgotten children. We hear of special needs children, but we do not think of the children who have HIV or AIDs. These children deserve a home just as much as a healthy child does. Through no fault of their own, they have this disease and now they need someone to love them. It is great that the Jenkins family turned this into a quest for them that no HIV or AIDs baby should be without a loving a secure home. They should be commended for their advocacy of these small babies who do not have a voice in the world.
Posted by: culinary at 11/28/2005 07:04 AM
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