Program Areas 

Haiti has a population of almost eight million people. The population is young, 40% of the population is younger than 15 years of age, and 15% is under the age of five. Women of childbearing age make up approximately 25% of the population. Only 4% of the population is aged 65 years or older. The country's annual per capita income is less that US$250, unemployment is over 89%, the current rate of inflation is 41.66%, the literacy rate is less than 35%, potable water is available to less than 40% of the population. An equal number have no access to health care. The prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Haiti is the highest among all nations in the Western Hemisphere. Child mortality and morbidity have reached crisis proportions.

The Republic of South Africa is located on the southern tip of the continent of Africa and at 471,010 square miles is nearly twice the size of the state of Texas. It has a population of approximately 45,026,000. This estimate takes into account the effect of excess mortality due to AIDS, which can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, and changes in the distribution of population than would otherwise be expected. The United Nations recently estimated that about five million South Africans are HIV positive, including 20% of males in 46.6 years and of females is 46.5 years.

Following a recent history, which included both Dutch and British settlers who, early on, expanded throughout the region through the subjugation of native inhabitants, the Union of South Africa was formed and operated under a policy of apartheid, the separate development of the races. The 1990's brought an end to apartheid politically and ushered in black majority rule. Upon the dismantling of apartheid, the Republic of South Africa has actively worked to equalize the opportunities of all South Africans. Approximately 50% of South Africans live below the poverty line and the unemployment rate is in excess of 31%.