12.01.2006 - 03:12pm ET

(CSRwire) ABBOTT PARK, IL - Nov. 28, 2006 - One in four children with HIV in Malawi (Africa) will die before their fifth birthday. In other parts of Africa and throughout the developing world, the situation is the same, or even worse -- with millions of children dying or watching family members die of this devastating disease.

In India, Revathi, 17, becomes reflective and sad when she looks at the photographs she has taken of small children in her hometown of Vijayawada. The images remind her of her little brother who died of AIDS last year. Revathi's mother and father are also infected with HIV, bringing sadness and an uncertain future into her home -- causing this teenager to grow up all too soon. In Burkina Faso, Moussa, 18, lost his father and then his uncle to AIDS. Despite these challenges, he dreams of becoming an artist one day.

Representing the millions of children whose lives have been thrown into chaos by the devastating effects of HIV/AIDS -- Moussa and Revathi, and many others, now have the opportunity to have their stories told and their voices heard through a powerful program called Picturing Hope. Some of these children will bring their stories of hope to Chicago for the first time as part of a compelling exhibit of their photography called "Through Their Eyes." The children will preview the exhibit and share their stories with Chicago-area high school students at a special reception on Nov. 29. The "Through Their Eyes" exhibit will be open to the public starting November 30, 2006 and run through January 10, 2007 at the Hokin Gallery at Columbia College Chicago located at 623 South Wabash. Admission is free.

"It is an incredible experience to watch these children as they begin to open up and talk about their lives, and even more incredible to watch what they capture on film," said Craig Bender, founder and program director, Picturing Hope. "These children are the new face of AIDS around the world, and this program allows their issues and voices to be heard."

The Abbott Fund is the exclusive sponsor of Picturing Hope, as one part of its ongoing commitment to address the needs of children affected by HIV/AIDS around the world. The children involved in Picturing Hope have been referred to this program by other Abbott Fund-supported programs that help meet their health, medical or educational needs or provide social services to them and their families.

"We believe that it is important to support not only the obvious medical needs of children who have been affected by HIV/AIDS, but to find innovative ways to address some of the emotional issues that can overwhelm them," said Reeta Roy, divisional vice president, Global Citizenship and Policy, Abbott. "Picturing Hope not only provides an outlet for these children to express themselves, but at the same time it helps educate people around the world about the plight of children who have been orphaned or otherwise affected by AIDS."

About Picturing Hope

The Picturing Hope program, sponsored by the Abbott Fund, was developed by professional photographer Craig Bender, a Chicago native, when a trip to Africa left him with a lingering desire to do something more to help these children, knowing that even when their physical or treatment needs are met, the psychological impact of HIV on their lives is often ignored.

With support from the Abbott Fund, Bender worked with child psychologists and local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to develop the Picturing Hope program -- teaching children affected by AIDS to express their emotions and tell their stories through photography and writing. Picturing Hope is now established in five countries -- Burkina Faso, India, Malawi, Romania and Tanzania. The best photographs from this project, along with select journal entries, are featured in the "Through Their Eyes" exhibit. For more information on Picturing Hope, visit picturinghope.org.

About Abbott and the Abbott Fund

Abbott has a long history of supporting programs dedicated to expanding access to health care, including the care and treatment of children with HIV/AIDS around the world. Abbott and the Abbott Fund have made a $100 million commitment over five years to address critical HIV/AIDS issues throughout Africa and the developing world. Programs focus on expanding access to testing and treatment; preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV; modernizing health care systems and infrastructure; and providing care and support for children affected by HIV/AIDS.

The Abbott Fund is a not-for-profit, philanthropic foundation established by Abbott, a global, broad-based health care company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceuticals and medical products, including nutritionals, devices and diagnostics. The company employs 65,000 people and markets its products in more than 130 countries.

For more information on the Abbott Fund's programs for children affected by HIV/AIDS, please visit abbottglobalcare.org.