Orphan Care
The statistics are staggering. We have been told by an employee at the Children’s Welfare office in Kalomo that approximately 15 thousand orphans live in a 90 km radius around Kalomo. Africans use the term ‘orphan’ to define the loss of one parent; ‘double orphan’ defines the loss of both parents. We do not know how this statistic reflects ‘orphans’ versus ‘double orphans’, but we know that the loss of either parent presents significant problems for children in Africa.
The loss of a father brings economic hardship and often means that the oldest son has to remain home to farm and feed the family. The loss of a mother often results in children being shifted to relatives for care.
In addition to HIV/AIDS robbing children of parents, there remains for women a fairly high risk of dying during childbirth. To help in these situations, “Kasensa” House was completed in 2005 and provides care for approximately 16 – 20 babies and toddlers. Most arrive as newborns whose mothers have died in childbirth, and leave as healthy toddlers to grow up with their relatives.
In 2006, “Tendai House” became home to five older children whose families are not able to care for them. Today, there are two dedicated orphan homes at Seven Fountains Mission and four at Namwianga Mission.
We are grateful to the many donors who contribute to the running of Kasensa, Tendai and the Haven (Namwianga Mission). ‘Pure, unstained religion, according to God our Father, is to take care of orphans and widows when they suffer…’ James 1:27
Infant Formula
In addition to providing formula for babies in full-time care, formula is also given to families who are willing and able to care for their baby in the village. These families come each month to collect tins of baby formula and must show the health card for the baby they are caring for. In this way, the growth of the baby can be monitored. Formula is provided until the baby is one year old.
As maternal care improves in Zambia we hope to see fewer deaths in new mothers….and fewer babies needing care. For now, however, this need is still great. Over the past twenty years hundreds of babies have been given a chance to live!
