More than thirteen million children have been orphaned in sub-Saharan Africa due to the loss of one or both parents from AIDS leaving many without adequate housing and adult supervision. These orphans are often malnourished and at times go hungry due to a lack of adequate food supplies, others are in a deteriorating state of health often due to a lack of a clean source of water or inadequate nutrition, still others have stopped attending school due to a lack of the money to pay for a school uniform, tuition, school supplies or in the case of older girls the cultural requirement to care for their younger siblings.

The consequences an orphaned life can be severe and include:

• An increased likelihood of falling deeper into poverty
• A dramatic drop in school attendance and academic performance
• Being forced to leave school due to lack of money for uniforms and supplies
• Being at risk of physical abuse including prostitution
• Developing a negative self image that leads to low self esteem and social isolation.
• The inability to integrate into the larger community in adulthood.

To deal with these consequences TCP is committed to raising money to attain the following goals:

• Build orphan houses that will be supervised by adults.
• Eliminate hunger and/or inadequate nutrition.
• Assure basic health care for orphans and the surrounding community.
• Guarantee a continuous education.
• Create a convenient, adequate source of safe water.
• Offer counseling where appropriate.
• Foster spiritual growth and compassion for others in need.