Improving early childhood development outcomes for children affected by HIV and AIDS

We learned that the first 5 years are critical to a child’s ability to be able to learn and gain life skills. We also now know that children in any society who lack nurture and stimulation for their early development face lifelong gaps in education and income compared to their peers, and struggle to achieve their full potential. For children in sub-Saharan Africa, a large proportion of whom are affected by HIV and AIDS, the absence of early development support is more acute and the consequences are more critical. We learned that families and communities play a key role in helping these children. Consequently, the Foundation wanted to maintain, reinforce and bolster families and community groups, ensuring that they are linked to government policies, and health and education systems.