Children Affected by HIV

The central focus of the Dare to Care program is to enhance the well-being of children who are HIV-positive, striving to extend and improve their lives. Through a combination of medication, safety measures, and love at Mustard Seed Communities, the majority of these children experience significant improvements in their overall health.

Dare to Care is also dedicated to supporting children who have contracted HIV through abusive situations. In addition to physical healing and the administration of antiretroviral medication, we prioritize the socio-emotional well-being of these children. Offering counseling, life skills lessons, vocational training, and education, our aim is to empower them to realize their fullest potential as valued individuals within their communities.

Children in Mustard Seed Communities’ Dare to Care program receive antiretroviral drugs, thanks to the support from the Global Fund, which channels aid from the US government to those impacted by HIV in the Caribbean. 

Yet, our commitment goes beyond providing medication; we aspire to offer meaningful and comprehensive care for children affected by HIV. Constantly seeking to enhance our understanding of medical treatment and the socio-emotional well-being of our residents, Dare to Care collaborates closely with relevant state bodies such as the Ministry of Health, National AIDS Committee, and the Child Development Agency. Through this collaborative approach, we aim to not only meet but exceed the needs of the children we serve, fostering a hopeful and bright future for each individual.

In the face of the stigmatization often faced by individuals living with HIV, Mustard Seed Communities and the Dare to Care program have set out to end this harmful misconception. Unfortunately, children with HIV can encounter mistreatment and isolation, facing exclusion from schools and experiencing disdain from their communities and even family members. The challenges they endure, from parental loss to abandonment, can lead to developmental delays and psychological trauma; therefore, it’s even more important that these children find a haven of acceptance and love to heal and achieve their full potential.

At Dare to Care, we stand out as a notable place of respect and dignity for these children. Our approach to education extends beyond academia to address the holistic development of their lives. Most importantly, they are cherished—Mustard Seed caregivers, volunteers, and visitors shower these children with love and attention. Formerly withdrawn and dejected, these children now embrace life with vigor and purpose, fully aware of the multitude of possibilities awaiting them. Dare to Care actively dismantles societal barriers against children with HIV, showcasing them as loving, intelligent, and caring individuals with plans for a full and successful life.