This is a picture of AIDS orphans. A young HIV-positive mother holds a photo of herself and her two children. She will die prematurely leaving her children as orphans. So far, the AIDS epidemic has left behind 14 million orphans. 79% of the AIDS orphans live in Africa. By 1997, the proportion of children with one or both parents dead had skyrocketed to 7% in many African countries and in some countries reached an astounding 11%. More about HIV and AIDS orphans in Africa can be found at http://www.avert.org/aidsorphans.htm

This photo is part of a larger HIV and AIDS picture gallery. For more HIV and AIDS photos visit http://www.avert.org/historyi.htm

Please note, that this picture of AIDS orphans is copyrighted. If you wish to use it or any part of it on your site, or in any other way, please ask permission from the copyright holder. The contact details of the copyright holders can be found here.

Photo credit: � Andrew Pekun