As a surgeon, our friend Dr. Paul Osteen spends several months each year doing medical missions in Africa. Through this work, he and his family witness God’s miracles of healing performed by compassionate believers: the hands and feet of Christ on earth. This is the story of one of those miracles.
Why World Vision is in Zambia
Zambia’s fluctuating economy is currently on the upswing, thanks to a good harvest year. But Zambians still worry that the weather or natural disasters could change this in the near future. Despite the good year, poverty and violence affect many Zambians. Over a million people live with HIV and AIDS, and thousands of gender-based violence cases were reported every few months. As awareness of abusive behavior increases, more people can report violence and get help. In addition to poverty and violence, a low employment rate throughout the country means few job opportunities, especially for young people. Your support is helping us build strong characters in kids based on the love of God. Community savings and credit groups are allowing families to send children to school and invest in viable business opportunities. As well, we’re giving farmers and entrepreneurs an empowered biblical worldview so they know they’re valued by God and can be transformative agents in their own stories. Increasing parents’ and communities’ participation with their kids is also improving education, and providing better sanitation and water facilities at schools reduces drop-out rates. Overall, healthcare and nutrition, especially for mothers with newborns, are being managed at the community level through in-home counseling about good practices. Together, we’re helping kids transform their communities for lasting change.
We never give up on people
World Vision child sponsorship looks at all the things that prevent children from surviving and thriving in their community, and then works with that community to bring all the pieces of the puzzle together to build a better life for all children. For sponsors, it’s a personal way to show God’s love to a child in need in a life-changing way.
Sponsor a child in Zambia ❯
Progress in Zambia
Thanks to the generous support of donors, we’re making great progress toward the well-being of children and their families.
Child Protection and Care
Boys and girls are safe and valued, well cared for by their families, and participating in their communities as agents of transformation.
- Through a collaboration with the government and communities, campaigns were led to register births and print birth certificates, giving more children access to government services and safety nets.
- Through a collaboration with schools, child protection clubs were facilitated, where children learned about their rights, protection, and safety. They also learned about relevant topics such as child labor, child abuse, and the dangers of early marriage. To support children, parents and other community members also attended training's we facilitated to make them aware of their roles in supporting and upholding children's rights and preventing abuse.
Healthy Children and Families
Children and families are well nourished, protected from infection and disease, and have access to essential health services.
- Community health workers in Zambia were trained on maternal and newborn care, safe pregnancies, breastfeeding, and nutrition. These community health workers then held discussion groups and training's with mothers to provide them with education on these same topics.
- Access to safe clean water in Zambia was increased through drilling news wells and rehabilitating existing ones. By building latrines and hand washing facilities in schools, access to clean water improved, which has the added advantage of encouraging school attendance.
Education for Better Lives
Children have opportunities to learn and to develop their talents, young people are equipped for the future, and families and communities support children's education.
- Opportunities in Zambia were provided to improve literacy skills in schools through a model called Literacy Boost*. It trains teachers to keep students engaged and interested in reading books through games, songs, and stories. The model also gets communities involved in learning by providing books, supplies, and sponsoring reading camps. *Literacy Boost is a copyrighted tool designed, developed, and owned by Save the Children.
Prayer Requests from Zambia
World Vision's staff in Zambia are asking us to join them in prayer for the following:
Our continued partnerships with the government and churches.
God's provision and protection for the refugees who have come to Northern Zambia.
News from Zambia
Voices
Q&A: Olympic gold medalist snowboarder Kelly Clark
U.S. snowboarder Kelly Clark, who won three Olympic and 14 X Games medals, announced her retirement from professional competition. In an interview with World Vision, she talks about retirement, purpose, and her visit to see World Vision’s work and meet her sponsored child in Zambia.
Change Makers
19 reasons to have hope in 2019
Hope shines a light in the darkness. It’s infectious, even healing. But what is there to be hopeful for? Let’s look at the year ahead with 19 reasons to have hope in 2019 — and how to pray them into reality.
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