In South Africa the average life expectancy is 49 years. The number of HIV-positive South Africans exceeds 5 million, more than any other country in the world. HIV / AIDS statistics indicate this is one of the worst affected areas in the world, leading to the early death of adults and a population of orphan children, many of whom are also infected.

Ingwavuma is a remote town located in Northern Natal province, close to the South African border with Swaziland and Mozambique. The landscape is semi-desert and most families live in remote settlements. Poverty levels are very high and most people live at subsistence levels.

The work at Ingwavuma Orphan Care (IOC) led by Dr. Ann Dean supports the families of orphans in a number of ways including medical support, hiv testing, administering ARV drugs, home visits by a team of home-based carers, food packages, local school educational support and legal support.