Be a Young Hero!

Be a Young Hero to orphans in Africa!
Courtesy of Young Heroes

What if your 'rents weren't around and you had to take care of your brothers and sisters all by yourself? It sounds like a nightmare, but it's reality for thousands of children in Africa. Find out how you can help them!

Young Heroes - A Generation of Orphans

Swaziland is a country in southern Africa. It's one of the smallest on the continent, but has the highest rate of HIV/AIDS in the world, with 42.6% of adults (age 15-49) infected. As Swazi kids lose their parents to the disease, they become orphans who must take care of their younger siblings by themselves. So in early 2006, Swaziland's National Emergency Response Council on HIV/AIDS (NERCHA) created a program called Young Heroes.

Young Heroes - Heroes to the Rescue!

Young Heroes encourages American kids and teens to be heroes by sponsoring orphan families. Monthly sponsorship for one child costs $19.95 for food, and $29.95 for food and clothing. In the future, your donations will also pay for school fees so that Swazi orphans can go to school! So instead of buying those $80 jeans or those really expensive sneakers, why not donate that money to feed and clothe an orphan in Africa?

Young Heroes - Did U Know?

  • 96% of people with HIV live in developing countries, most in sub-Saharan Africa.
  • In Swaziland, nearly 40% of pregnant women are HIV-positive.
  • About 70,000 Swazi kids have already lost at least one parent to AIDS.
  • About 15,000 Swazi kids live in child-headed households.
  • Want to sponsor an AIDS orphan? Head to the Young Heroes website for more info!

    Related Stories:

  • AIDS Foundation
  • The American Red Cross
  • Doing Your Part for UNICEF
  • Check Out More Volunteer Opportunities!
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    Are You A Hero?

    • Yeah, I sponsor orphans through Young Heroes.
    • I'm a hero cuz I stand up to the school bully every day.
    • I volunteer a lot and help the needy.
    • I saved my cat from choking on a hairball once.

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