Compassion's AIDS Initiative has a profound impact on every child we serve, as well as for those children directly affected by the disease. Your support brings a complete package of practical help based on the level of need. All Compassion assisted children receive health-related education to encourage the prevention of disease and promotion of healthy living. They are also eligible to receive nutritional support, medical treatment and clinical care that includes everything from antibiotics to heart surgery. AIDS related care is provided within Compassion's overall health management framework. Depending on the level of need for each child, the AIDS Initiative can provide the following for Compassion assisted children:

• Prevention education

• Stigma-reduction interventions

• Voluntary counselling and testing

• Treatment

• Nutritional support

• Hospital care as needed

• Transportation assistance for clinical access

• Income generation for foster parents

• Antimicrobial prophylaxis to prevent opportunistic infections that can be contracted due to a weakened immune system

• Laboratory services to monitor the progression of HIV

• Counselling, home-based care and support

• Prevention of mother-to-child