The birth of a child is one of the greatest symbols of hope in our world. But for children born with HIV and who get TB in poor countries, life may be short and full of suffering.

Caritas Internationalis is urging governments and pharmaceutical companies to act now and ensure more children do not die because of lack of access to HIV and TB testing and treatment.

Watch a film about the effect of HIV and TB on children and their families in Swaziland and South Africa. Download photos.

Learn more about Caritas Internationalis' HAART campaign.

Hunger or HIV: the choice facing some mothers Your baby can either die from hunger, or you can risk giving him HIV. Which do you choose? Mosipho gets her smile back When Mosipho was brought to the Thabang Society, no one knew if she was going to survive. Getting a head start on HIV Families with little money may struggle to meet even the most basic needs of children with HIV and TB, such as food and water. And that’s before they’ve even started to think about treatment. Swaziland’s children vulnerable Swaziland has the highest HIV prevalence rate in the world. Ensuring young children get diagnosed is a huge challenge. Thabisile’s story: HIV challenges in rural Swaziland  After losing two of her children without any real explanation, Thabisile, decided to take an HIV test. Pills, liquids, expensive medication Sometimes families don’t have a fridge to store HIV medicines in, or clean water with which to mix the medicines. And sometimes the pills are just too big for children to swallow.

On a trip to South Africa and Swaziland Michelle Hough, a communications officer with Caritas Internationalis, learnt about the massive daily struggle that children and their families face with HIV. Blog 1: Two women, two tales of HIV Blog 2: HIV in Swaziland: “I want to proceed with my dreams” Blog 3: HAART for Children: the challenge Swaziland faces Blog 4: Swaziland: Improving testing outreach