Abbott Laboratories to assist orphan Children in India

[Guest guest]

Abbott Laboratories to assist orphan Children in India.

['Step Forward' -An Abbott Laboratories initiative, operating in four countries

to support orphans and vulnerable children, has intiated programmes to support

" AIDS victims " in three states. Moderator]

http://www.stepforwardforchildren.org/about/index.htm

AIDS orphans get new hope

New Delhi, Sept 4. (PTI): International NGOs in collaboration with the

government and other agencies have developed community-level

programmes to help the growing number of orphans with HIV/AIDS in the

country.

" India has about two million orphans with AIDS/HIV but the majority of

the agencies are working towards helping the adults infected with the

disease, " Director, Alliance India - an NGO, Dr Balwant Singh told

reporters here today.

The country has the largest number of children affected by HIV/AIDS,

hence, community-based programmes that address the need of the

children are of paramount importance, he said adding 'Step Forward' -

a global care initiative operating in four countries to support

orphans and vulnerable children, has intensified programmes to support

AIDS victims in three states.

It has also provided financial and technical help to make the victims

independent, Executive Director, Step Forward, Jeff said.

Coping with the challenges posed by the " killer disease " could be

extremely difficult for the children in developing countries who have

been impacted by AIDS, Craig Bender, who teaches photography to the

children, said.

" Even is situation where some children may get some care or support,

their psychological and personal growth is often left underdeveloped

or even ignored, " he added.

http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/holnus/002200409040352.htm