ZOA

A solution to the ‘orphan problem’

The children most at risk are those below the age of 10. They need to receive a balanced diet, care and a basic education. With a balanced diet, their bodies may be able to fight infection more easily; with loving care, they can be happy again; with a basic education, they can have hope for the future.

At the 'Serenje Orphans School Home, 35 children are already being fed, washed and educated (at local schools) during the school week (Monday to Friday) and then going home to guardians on weekends. This arrangement means that the link to their natural guardians is not being severed by institutionalising the children, and they are receiving a balanced diet, care and education.

How can we help?

Fortunately, we ‘1^st Worlders’ can do an enormous amount to help these poor children. We can assist the local people who wish to look after the orphans by providing donations which can assist initially in the feeding and education of these vulnerable children, and which ultimately should also assist the institutions caring for the children to become self-sustainable (e.g. growing enough food for themselves and to pay their workers etc). A lot of wonderful work has already been done in the rural area of Serenje, in Central Zambia, simply through well-directed donations by individuals and by international church groups and schools.

What does it cost to help?

Very little, in terms of our Western currencies…

To feed, care for, and educate one child at either orphanage costs about €30 per month, or about £25 per month, or about US$50 per month. These small locally-run orphanages are non profit-making, and do not support the large bureaucracies of the traditional Aid Organisations.

Of course, the donation of large funds (e.g. €10,000 etc) towards particular specified items, like a small vehicle to assist in the procurement of foodstuffs from town or to take a sick child to the local hospital, or a tractor to help the orphanage towards self-sustainability…these special donations can help enormously!