 Families for Children Zambia is a small charitable trust, concerned with the welfare of orphans and vulnerable children in Zambia.
The Charity’s first project was set up in Kantolomba – a township on the outskirts of Ndola - in 2001. The project was started by a small group of concerned Zambian people, with the help and support of the Charity, to care for and educate orphans and vulnerable children affected by poverty and AIDS. The Charity in the UK now supports several other projects for children and families in different parts of Zambia.
Members of the UK group visit Zambia regularly to advise, encourage and support the staff and volunteers there, and to monitor progress. All money raised goes directly to the projects in Zambia – to educate, feed and clothe the children, to pay the Zambian staff and to support the carers.
The current crisis
In Zambia today there are more than a million orphans. The AIDS pandemic has ravaged the country and decimated the child rearing age group. The traditional ways of caring for orphans are breaking down; now it is mainly widows, grandmothers and older brothers and sisters who act as guardians, fostering children informally. Mostly they have no means of support and often the children are obliged to go onto the streets to get money, putting themselves at great risk. Many children are malnourished and do not attend school because their families cannot afford books, clothes and shoes for them.
Zambia is one of the poorest countries in Africa and many people are sick. Yet it is a peaceful country. Most people are trying to help themselves and their communities; they are amazingly resourceful in the ways they manage to do this.
How does the Charity help?
In Kantolomba, the Charity has set up a school and community centre, which is attended by more than 200 children a day. The children receive an education, food, clothes and medical attention. Their carers and families are offered practical help and support.
A second project has been established in Misisi Township in Zambia’s capital, Lusaka. This is attached to a community school and home based health care project and currently supports over 350 families, children and their carers.
A third project is based in Chilanga, just south of Lusaka. It was set up by a Zambian woman and a group of volunteers who care for the poorest, most difficult and most abused children. They have recruited local people to help run the project and to foster children, African style. More than 70 children flock to this small house every day and here they find help, food and comfort.
The Charity also offers support to other projects in Zambia which meet their aims, for example a small community school in Misisi township, Lusaka and a school for disabled children in Kasama in the north of the country.
How is this Charity different?
The Charity sends virtually all their funds directly to the people in Zambia with whom they are in partnership. They work closely with small groups of people who are already trying to help themselves, offering low-key help and support where this is needed, to help them develop independence. Children are kept within their own communities and the Charity supports and builds upon the networks that already exist in Zambia to help protect orphans and vulnerable children.
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How Ngoko Contributes
The Ngoko team feel very strongly about the valuable work the Charity is doing in Zambia and support it in any way we can. In terms of financial contribution, we donate US$10 to the Charity for every trip booked with us. Additional contributions from our guests are always very welcome!
Families for Children Zambia is a UK registered charity (number: 1098258). More information can be found at www.ffczambia.org.uk.
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