The Central African Republic (CAR) has a history marked by political instability and corruption and is one of the poorest countries in the world — 71 percent of the people live below the poverty line. Residents face an unstable political situation, and many deal with limited access to clean water, proper nutrition, and medical care.
These challenges, coupled with the devastating effects of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, have left hundreds of thousands of children orphaned. Growing up amid poverty and civil unrest, these children often have a fragmented education and possess few vocational skills that will enable them to thrive in adulthood.