Child Legacy International defines Sustainable Programs as development initiatives with the capacity to remain productive and useful to a society for indefinite periods of time amid varying conditions. They are not a "quick fix" to a problem and involve the participation of the local population to remain effective.

HIV/AIDS has disintegrated rural community life in Africa. Although many rural families live in poverty by international standards, before the spread of HIV, many could meet their most basic needs through agriculture: living off their harvests and selling any excess in the local markets.

Now, heads of households are rapidly dying off, leaving their children orphaned and without any means of supporting themselves. In addition, those who are sick require care, which takes more workers out of the fields and further disrupts the growing and harvest cycle. The burden of all the additional mouths to feed is too great for the fragile community to absorb - hence, the need for humanitarian relief.

While billions of dollars in international aid has been funneled into Africa's developing nations, these funds have made few lasting changes for the people.

CLI realizes that providing food for the hungry is necessary - but if people are to provide for themselves, they need opportunity - a hand up, rather than a hand out.

In a volatile world, Africa needs sustainable solutions for stability and growth. We need to deliver opportunities, so people can help themselves and change their own destinies!