4.1 Children and aids in africa

Social sciences

History

Grade 9

Current affairs

Module 15

Children and aids in africa

Activity 1:

Children in africa

[lo 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2.2, 2.4, 3.2, 3.3]

The learner will be able to apply research skills, demonstrate knowledge and understanding of history by making use of correspondences and differences: CHILDREN IN AFRICA

• Study the sources provided below and answer the questions that follow.

SOURCE A :

Comments on Aids

If action is not taken immediately, more people will have died on account of Aids by 2010 than in all the wars of the twentieth century

Translated from information published in: Rapport , 16 July 2000

SOURCE B:

Aids in Africa

According to a report published in London by the organisation, Christian Aid, approximately 12 million children in Africa have been orphaned on account of Aids.

Translated from: Die Burger , NuusOorsig, 19 May 2001

SOURCE C:

Aids orphans in Southern Africa

Conservative estimates have in the meantime indicated that there will be 600 000 so-called Aids orphans in Zimbabwe within six years. Homes for orphans have already reached maximum accommodation levels.

Translated from: Die Burger, 19 November 1993.

SOURCE D:

Extract from the South African Constitution

CHARTER OF HUMAN RIGHTS

HUMAN DIGNITY

Everyone has inherent dignity and the right to have their dignity respected and protected.

CHILDREN

May not be detained, except as a measure of last resort, in which case, in addition to the rights a child enjoys under sections 12 and 35, the child may be detained only for the shortest appropriate period of time, and [such a child] has the right to be –

Kept separately from detained persons over the age of 18 years; and

Treated in a manner, and kept in conditions that take account of the child's age;

[Have the right] to have a legal practitioner assigned to the child by the state and at state expense…;

[Have the right] not to be used directly in armed conflict; and to be protected in times of armed conflict;

[Have the right]

- to family care or parental care, or

- to appropriate alternative care when removed from the family environment;

- to be allowed contact with parents,

- a chosen religious counsellor and

- a chosen medical practitioner.

SOURCE E:

Children used as soldiers in Sierra Leone

During the past decade the warring parties in Sierra Leone have all made use of children as young as 12 years of age and older to wage war. Thousands of children have also been kidnapped by the Revolutionary United Front and kept in the bush to be used as soldiers and enslaved workers. Some children have lived in the bush for up to six years and have also taken part in horrifying war crimes like the amputation of the limbs of prisoners, etc.

A Rafaello Ciriello: Post Cards from Hell (www.ciriello.com)

SOURCE F:

CHILDREN IN SIERRA LEONE: Young, Armed and Dangerous

Freetown - Since the Military Junta took over the reigns of office in May, hundreds of child soldiers have fled from the camps where they were held. These children are back on the streets, armed with AK 47 rifles and grenade launchers. It is a common sight again to see children patrolling the streets in cities like Freetown. This evokes the fear that the children could again be drawn into the conflict.