International Outreach Program
According to the World Health Organization, “HIV is the world's leading infectious killer and remains one of the world's most significant public health challenges, particularly in low and middle-income countries.” The vast majority of those suffering are from poor countries. In 2015, there were 2.6 million children living with HIV around the world and the number of children who will have lost one or both parents to AIDS will be 25 million. In 2013, 190,000 children died of AIDS-related illnesses.
The goal of The Heart Touch Project International Outreach Program is to serve orphaned infants, children and young adults infected with HIV in Cambodia, providing them with compassionate, therapeutic touch that they often lack. Those in orphanages face the challenges of getting their emotional and developmental needs met. They hunger for personalized care and attention. Being HIV positive adds another dimension to the issues they face. The Heart Touch Project has also introduced the Heart Touch approach to local hospital staff in Thailand, India and Cambodia, encouraging them to continue the therapeutic and empathetic touch that our volunteers have implemented for comfort and pain management.
Learn more about how you can make an impact in individual's lives by volunteering through our Heart Touch Project International Outreach Project Program.