PEOPLE IN MATOPENI

Matopeni is located an a highly populated area and the birthrate is on the rise. The approximate number of adults to children is 2:10 respectively.

The people of this area live in temporary structures constructed from corrugated iron sheets both on the walls and on the roofs. You will find adults or parents living with their familly in a structure measuring 12 x 10 ft with very little privacy. They use a traditional three stone firewood stove to prepare their food. The HIV /AIDS epidemic is killing many people in this community, mostly youth, who have a high rate of infection. The most economically vulnerable have pressure put on them to exchange sex for money, often without thought of "safe sex" which then contributes to an increasing number of orphans in the community.