Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children
There are around a million orphans in Zambia, amongst a population of 10.5 million, many of whom find homes with relatives or friends. Most of the parents have died from HIV/AIDS, but the great majority of the surviving children are not HIV infected.
The Trust gives priority to assisting orphans living in the community to attend primary schools and to receive one nutritious meal a day when over-burdened families have difficulty in providing this.
It is hoped to raise more funds for these projects because it is so hard for families living on less than $1.00 a day to support adequately the orphaned children they accept, in addition to their own children.
Projects assisted by the Zambia Society Trust
1. Chitsime Association, Misisi Township, Lusaka
Chitsime dressmaking group
A community based project assisted by the Catholic Parish of Kabwata, Lusaka. There is a basic school for 1125 pupils and a special needs school for 60, providing free education up to Grade 9. 70% of the children are orphans, most of whom live in Misisi shanty town with relatives or neighbours. Lunch is supplied to all. There are 31 teachers, only 13 of whom are paid by the Government. £1200 is needed monthly for teachers' salaries. About 20 children from the streets live at the centre. Alongside them are small income generating projects (making cement blocks, a maize mill, rearing chickens, building, carpentry, homecraft, tie and dye, pressing oil seed (sunflower) and a large vegetable garden. A borehole tank and a perimeter fence have been completed recently.
2. Mpundu Mission, Kabwe
A Catholic centre where there are basic and secondary schools. Funds are used to pay school fees for orphans, and the poorest are also given clothes.
3. St Francis’ Hospital, Katete
This general hospital in the Eastern Province, administered jointly by the Anglican and Catholic Churches in Zambia, has an AIDS team responsible for health education, a community-based home care system and an orphan support programme. 2000 orphaned children are helped by paying their primary school expenses (£15/annum) and secondary (£75/annum) also by giving clothes (some made by older orphans), a blanket, maize seed and a hoe blade to each child.
4. St Mary's, Matero, Lusaka
This Ana Anasiya project (the children left behind) is at the Catholic Parish in Matero, a densely populated township run by the Jesuits (Fr Miti SJ). Assistance is given to about 70 orphans and other vulnerable children (OVCs) living with families in greatest need by providing a nutritious lunch each day and other basic essentials.
5. St Martin’s Orphanage, Kitwe
A small orphanage run by a community of Zambian Sisters who accept orphaned children who have no relatives to care for them. The Sisters find families to take orphans into their homes, most by the age of five.
6. The Falconers Children Home, NW Province
A home for orphans in a remote part of the country which has been established for a number of years. There is strong emphasis in teaching good agricultural practice and self-sufficiency. It is administered by the Christian Missions to Many Lands. The Manager and a senior nurse/midwife grew up in the orphanage.
7. St John’s OVC Group, Kasama.
This Community Field Project was initiated April 2001 to assist the ever-growing number of orphans and other vulnerable children (OVCs) in Kasama town and hundreds of small surrounding villages. The project helps form community-based committees to cultivate fields donated by headmen with the villagers. Seeds and other inputs are provided initially. The pilot project of 15 fields started in December 2001. Now there are many more. A sense of self worth and responsibility is emerging. A local supervisory committee is active.
8. Kwasha Mukwenu, Lusaka
('Help your friend or neighbour' in Kaonde). 32 members pay a subscription of K2000/yr (25p). These ladies help 25 orphans living in the community with related families by providing schooling through a part-time teacher. The simple classroom is used also by the members who make batiks, small carpets and children's clothes for sale. 12 children attend primary school at a cost of £45/year each including uniform and shoes.
9. Chainda Centre, Lusaka
Classroom at Chainda (Photo courtesy of Anna Dixon)
A centre in a Lusaka township which assists underprivileged children, many of whom are orphans, and women. It is affiliated to the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross. About 200 children come for breakfast (maize-meal porridge) and a midday meal on weekdays. There is a pre-school in the only building, which doubles as a dining hall and classroom. Older children attend the Community Basic School nearby. Poor widows come for a free lunch and have reading lessons in the afternoon. An ablution/shower block is nearing completion. They hope to raise funds for another classroom. All the children's homes are visited.