AIDS On Rise Among Michigan Teens
Number Of African Children Orphaned By AIDS Also Increases
POSTED: Friday, January 6, 2006
An increase in AIDS and HIV cases has risen among Michigan teenagers. The virus has also recently increased the number of orphans in Africa.According to the Department of Community Health in Michigan, the number of recently diagnosed people with HIV and AIDS overall has been steady with nearly 600 cases each year from 2000 to 2003. The number among teenagers specifically has increased significantly, with the number of cases more than doubled, Local 4 reported.The statistics are far more devastating in Africa with children orphaned by AIDS, Local 4 reported. The Rev. Greg Jenks, founder of the ZOE Ministry for Orphaned Children Living With Aids In Africa, met with a 15-year-old orphaned girl on his first trip to Africa. The girl was caring for her three younger brothers."She took us into her home and she said, 'This is all that we have left, all the food we have left. It's enough to last us until Saturday and then after that we'll just die,'" said Jenks.Jenks knew he could not forget the faces of the orphans, and their cause became his crusade."It's about the faces of children, the personalities of children, kids that we hear about that come to school hungry, that maybe haven't had an adequate meal in a couple of days," said Jenks.It is estimated that in five years, African children orphaned by AIDS may equal the entire population of school children in the United States, Local 4 reported.Jenks said he realizes he cannot stop the AIDS pandemic, but he can save lives and provide hope to children who had none. The ZOE program fed 8,000 children last year.When Jenks is not in Africa, he travels throughout the United States asking churches and individuals to help.
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