The AIDS pandemic in Sub-Saharan Africa affects every aspect of the social structure. HIV rates as high as 25.8% (OverPopulation.com) translate into many of the middle generation parents dying prematurely. "In sub-Saharan Africa, the AIDS epidemic will reduce average life expectancy from 59 to 45 between 2005 and 2010, and from 61 to 33 in Zimbabwe" according to a recent report from AidsAction.org.
Social assistance programs are unable to keep up with the overwhelming needs that result. Unemployment rates are extremely high. We met many small children as young as eight, left alone to fend for themselves or to be cared for by older siblings.