The HIV/AIDS epidemic has had its most profound impact to date in Sub-Saharan Africa. The majority of people living with HIV/AIDS (68%) are in this region, which only accounts for 11% of the world's population. The epidemic is taking an enormous toll on the region's youth: Nearly 10 million women and men aged 15-24- roughly one in 14 young adults - are living with HIV/AIDS, and half of new infections occur among this age-group.**

A continued rise in the number of young Africans living with HIV and dying from AIDS is not inevitable. There is growing evidence that HIV prevention efforts can be hugely effective. A massive expansion in prevention program are now helping to turn the tide against this disease.

HIV-related stigma and discrimination remains an enormous barrier to the fight against AIDS. Fear of discrimination often prevents people from getting tested, seeking treatment and admitting their HIV status publicly. Since laws and policies alone cannot reverse the stigma that surrounds HIV infection, more and better AIDS education is needed to combat the ignorance that causes people to discriminate. Project Hope for Africa's program are focused on providing youth with the knowledge, skills and support to lead healthy productive lives.