In Zambia Grassroots works closely with Kabushi Entrepreneurship and Vocational Training Centre (KEVTC) and 5 of the many churches in the very poor region around Ndola. The “Church Action Groups” of each of these churches identify children who are in particular need, interview them (along with their parent or guardian and a representative of KETVC) and visit them regularly. Each child is sponsored for £4.25 per month (£51 per year).
Sponsor a Child
This pays for a simple school uniform, a selection of school supplies and makes a contribution towards school “user fees” (schools come in a variety of different types, all technically free but many set a small user fee, child sponsorship gives an equal amount to every child that covers the majority of the user fee in most cases.). The final part of the sponsor money is put into a fund which is used towards medical fees if any of the sponsored children are ill.
In addition to this the child’s family has help with nutrition with each church running regular feeding programmes. Grassroots raises money for these feeding programmes separately from the child sponsorship with the aim of giving each church £100 per month so they can regularly feed 40+ children.
In addition to the 5 churches Grassroots partners for the child sponsorship and feeding programmes, KEVTC works with another 145 churches across the region. All of these communities (and the churches who serve them) are very poor. KEVTC is doing everything they can to help and train them so they can work their way out of poverty, but the surrounding economy and opportunities are in a terrible state. Grassroots hopes to run child sponsorship programmes in more of these communities but cannot do so until we have more child sponsors and more regular supporters of church feeding programmes. Can you help us?
In each of the communities the church action groups have been working trying to start income generating activities and some are beginning to make money. When Grassroots visited it was clear the communities’ top priority, whenever they made even a small amount of money, was getting the children into school and to get food in their stomachs. But, even with all their efforts there are still many hundreds of children who still need uniform and some help with user fees or they will never go to school, and many children are only eating 3-5 times a week. It seems ridiculous not to enhance the efforts these communities are already making. A little help makes all the difference.
Child sponsorship (£4.25 per month) or sponsoring a church feeding programme (£100 per month) are that help.
To start sponsoring a child in Zambia, click here, and follow the instructions to pay either with credit card or by downloading the printable standing order form.
Alternative Gifts
To give your sponsored child an extra gift or support the local churches organising feeding for the poor hungry children in their communities please consider buying a Zambia Alternative Gift.
To give any amount you wish to the Grassroots Zambia project go to grassroots.org.uk/give and select “Zambia” from the drop down.
