In Kenya, a country in Africa, 300,000 children have lost one or both of their parents because of an illness called AIDS.

It’s hard to imagine life without a mum or dad. But in many countries, children have to grow up without their parents. 

Global Gangers report from Kenya...

'Many orphans talk about their parents having died long ago,' says Esther, 12. 'Some don't have enough to eat. Many were left by their parents when very young, and others are forced to live on the streets. This means they can’t take care of their younger brothers and sisters who depend on them.'     

'Kenyan children should look after children who haven't got parents, when they come home from school,' says Mary, 11 from Kenya

 'Sometimes, when one of their parents re-marries, the new step-parent is rough with the orphans. The children will be subjected to heavy work at home, which takes away their childhood,' Esther adds. 

'Many orphans can't go to school, because they don't have a family to look after them,' says Mary, 11. 'We have some homes where orphans are taken care of, and this can help reduce the dangers. When orphans are looked after, their dreams of becoming presidents, judges and doctors can come true.'

Esther, 12, from Kenya, cares about the orphans at her school