Zambia

Zambia

In recent years Zambia has been deeply affected by HIV/AIDS. The average life expectancy has dropped to around 33 years and there is an enormous increase in the numbers of orphans and vulnerable children.

We came to Zambia in 1956 and our first mission was at Chilonga in the Northern Province. At present we have missions in Kasama and Mbala in the north and in Lusaka, the capital. Many of the projects which we initiated over the years have been handed over to either local Congregations or Community Groups.

At present Sisters, Associates and Co-workers collaborate in our different ministries, including:

Zambia is one of the poorest countries in Africa
80% of the population live below the poverty line and 58% are classified as being ‘extremely poor’.
This year Zambia is suffering dreadfully from the heavier than expected rains which have deluged parts of the country.

Education and skills training for children/young adults with special needs.

We work with children with varying disabilities in school settings and through our Home Based Education programme we seek to reach those children whose disability is so severe that they cannot attend formal classes.

Education for orphans and vulnerable children

Thousands of Zambian children receive a basic education through Community Schools as it is not always possible for them to attend formal schools.

Sunsuntilla Day centre for orphans and vulnerable children, Mbala.

Through our work we seek to address the impact and consequences of HIV/AIDS on local communities.

Training Day - Sr Elizabeth Mooney with Army Personnel

We are committed to HIV Awareness-raising/ Prevention within all sectors of local communities, such as youth groups, schools, army personnel, women’s groups, etc. This includes awareness of basic HIV/AIDS facts, preventative measures, availability and importance of counselling and ART, training of counsellors etc.


	Home based care of chronically ill people (this involves caring for people in their own homes or at a specified location in their villages). Local volunteers are trained and work alongside a nurse who co-ordinates the programme in each area. This allows some of the very poorest people access to at least basic nursing care.


	Food security and nutrition projects.


	The Village Orphan Support Groups are helped with seeds which enable the villagers to grow food to support the orphans and vulnerable children and their carers. The availability of donkeys has helped villagers increase cultivation.


	Dairy goats have also been introduced in some villages as an alternative to breast milk for children who are orphaned at an early age.


	Skills training and development courses aimed at empowering young adults who have left formal education to gain a skill which will help enable them to earn their own living.

Young people can utilise their skills and talents through a variety of courses available to them. These include:

Tailoring, knitting and sewing
Carpentry
Agricultural skills
Catering
Computer and business skills

These courses assist many people to set up their own small business.


	Income Generation - sustainable development is the key to survival and growth for most of our projects.

Local participation is a must in the planning and development of income generating activities. This enables communities to identify local needs and utilise available resources. Activities such as vegetable and fruit growing, maximill (for grinding maize), fish farming, bakery, brick-making, guinea fowl, chickens, rabbits and pigs.

In most of our projects we strive to have income generating activities which will support the educational and skills training side of the project.


	In all of our projects, we work in conjunction with the local Diocese and relevant Government Ministries in Zambia such as Education, Health and Agriculture and collaborate with other NGOs and local community groups.


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