ACE Africa

About the charity

ACE Africa aims to empower impoverished communities in Kenya and Tanzania to provide every orphan and vulnerable child in their care with healthcare, education, food, shelter and protection.

Where we work:

ACE Africa works in remote, rural areas where communities lack access to and awareness of basic services such as healthcare, education and child protection. There is limited understanding about HIV, and people lack farming and business skills, resulting in high levels of malnutrition and poverty.

In these areas:

• 30-40% of adults are showing the signs and symptoms of HIV/AIDS.
• 60% of the population lives on less than $1 a day.
• One in three households is infected with HIV and every household is affected.
• One in every five children has been orphaned by HIV/AIDS.
• Children as young as eight years old, or elderly grandparents, are forced to act as the head of the household, caring for younger siblings and the sick.

The situation creates a vicious, self-replicating cycle of HIV infection, discrimination, trauma and poverty, in which the well-being of vulnerable children often suffers the most.

Our Approach:

ACE Africa's programme is research-led and addresses both the short-term emergency needs caused by high levels of poverty, and HIV infection, and the longer-term social, economic and cultural issues associated with HIV and AIDS.

ACE Africa's ten-year programme aims to improve community health, income and skills and knowledge through three thematic areas:

• Improving community livelihoods - training in organic farming and related business skills.
• Child health and welfare - protection of children's rights and HIV health education.
• Education, counselling and direct aid - providing life skills, counselling, testing basic needs such as medication, nutritional supplements, shelter, school uniforms and fees.

ACE Africa today:

Since its inception in 2003 and with the help of over 3,000 local volunteers, ACE Africa has provided over 200,000 children and people, living with HIV/AIDS, with life-transforming services.

As a result of our work:

• The health of vulnerable children and people living with HIV and AIDS has improved.
• The poorest households have better access to food, clothes, healthcare and other basic needs.
• There have been fewer cases of child abuse and neglect.
• People living with HIV/AIDS are being actively supported by others in the community.
• The community is providing food, clothing, school fees and materials and basic medicine for orphans and vulnerable children living among them.

Today the ACE Africa model is recognised as the leading orphan support program in Western Kenya, providing cost-effective, local solutions for communities affected by HIV/AIDS.