Our Work

Two million children orphaned in South Africa

The African continent is the only place in the world where the HIV infection count continues to rise. The devastating combination of HIV and poverty has led to an unprecedented escalation of poor health and suffering in many communities where numbers of orphans has doubled in recent years.

With no adult left to care for them the tragic loss of a parent is often followed by the crushing burden of responsibility for the rest of the family and the consequent loss of education and opportunity. These children are very vulnerable: poor, and often stigmatised, they can easily become victims of physical and emotional abuse and may contract HIV themselves.

Our response must be urgent and focused
Starfish believes that offering holistic support is the best way to ensure a vulnerable child can enjoy life, hope and opportunity. The support of the community and four key areas of intervention are essential to ensure a brighter view for our children and in turn can lift whole communities out of the vicious cycle of poverty and HIV.

Across South Africa, the United Kingdom, USA and Canada there are people who are raising essential funds to help support Starfish acheive its mission to improve children's lives. Join us.