The houses are built with blocks made from the local sand. These houses are not very strong because most of the blocks used to construct them are weak as they lack cement, which is essential to make good and strong blocks used for household constructions. The roofs for houses are made from the grass. Some residents keep livestock like goats, pigs and chickens.
Recent accomplishments include:
- Instructing parents on children's rights, improving the well-being of children.
- Supporting chronically ill people by doing household chores and meal preparation, improving their health.
- Paying the school fees of orphaned and vulnerable children, enabling the students to continue their education.
- Distributing chickens and roosters to 3,300 children, improving food security and generating income.
Educating farmers in cassava growing, improving food security and generating income.
- Drilling borehole wells, increasing access to safe water.
- Distributing local language Bibles and hymn books to churches, offering tools for spiritual nurture.
Zambia is bordered by Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Namibia. The country is named for the Zambezi River, which flows from its source in northern Zambia to the Indian Ocean. Natural resources include cobalt, zinc, lead, coal, gems, precious metals, and hydropower.
The population consists primarily of people of Bantu origin. English is the official language, but Bemba is most predominantly used. Most people are involved in agriculture to provide family food. Crops include corn, rice, peanuts, vegetables, cotton, and coffee.
Rural Zambians usually live with their extended families in houses that are clustered together. A spirit of cooperation prevails as family members share work, assets, and the experiences of daily life. A large family means more hands to help on the farm and assures that parents will be cared for as they age.
In Zambia, cousins are sometimes referred to as “brothers” and “sisters.” For this reason, the number of siblings that your sponsored child writes about might change from letter to letter.
Currently, 86 percent of people throughout Zambia live below the poverty line, and 50 percent are unemployed. Almost half of the population lacks access to safe water, leading to medical problems and a poor quality of life for entire communities. Recurring droughts also threaten the food supply.
Malaria remains the biggest killer of children under age five and poses a major health problem for the rest of the population.
The HIV and AIDS pandemic is widespread with 1.1 million Zambian people living with the disease. According to UNICEF, more than 700,000 children have been orphaned due to this devastating disease. Coupled with economic challenges and food shortages, this has left half of Zambian children suffering from malnutrition.
Through sponsorship, World Vision is partnering with families and communities to help meet immediate needs and promote lasting changes that will strengthen communities and move families toward self-reliance.