CONTEXT: A CHALLENGE FOR ALL CAREGIVERS IN ZAMBIA
Located in Southern Africa, Zambia has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in the world, at fully 20% of the population. By 1999, it was estimated that 870,000 people were living with AIDS and the country is now witnessing a huge rise in the number of AIDS affected children. Many are orphaned and are often pushed out onto the streets to fend for themselves or to bring money in for their families. In some areas of Zambia, more than 70% of households care for one or more orphans. The girls Problems For young girls, the situation can be even more difficult. Zambian girls are often the target of sexual violence, both on the street and in their own homes. It has become a prevalent local belief that sexual contact with a virgin girl will cure HIV/AIDS. As a sad consequence, many girls living with HIV positive fathers face threats to their safety at home. The streets are often seen as the only escape, but rarely present these young women with a safer environment. UNICEF estimates that in Lusaka alone, there are 35,000 children living on the streets. For girls on the streets, living in a safe environment is the most basic necessity and education certainly a remote possibility. Even for girls living in homes overcrowded and economically stretched by orphans, education is nearly impossible. Like many other countries in the South of Africa, Zambia's high national poverty rates affect nearly 80% of the population in some areas. They are also facing food shortages this year that will only exacerbate the country's other problems, including a decline in the productivity and profitability of the county's copper mines, which are the main source of the country's revenue. With conditions like these, caregivers are finding it increasingly difficult to pay for school fees, uniforms, and books needed to send children to government schools. Over 30% of orphans in urban areas and 68% in rural areas are not enrolled in any type of formal education.
NHO FACES THE CHALLENGE
New Horizon Orphanage was founded by Juliet Chilengi in 1999. Juliet, an ordinary citizen, was so deeply moved by plight of orphaned girls living on the streets that she took action. Through her extraordinary work, she provides food, shelter, counseling, and education to girls from the streets of Lusaka. The organization has grown to incorporate education, micro-enterprise training for caregivers, and healthcare referrals into the services it provides. The 25 girls she now shelters (ranging in age from 4-18) were referred to the NHO by the Zambian Red Cross, the Department of Welfare, and other organizations working to get children off the streets. NHO offers a network of mutual support for these traumatized children as they work to rebuild their lives. Under constant pressure to expand to include more girls, Juliet runs NHO with a staff made up largely of volunteer women who come to help with the cooking, cleaning, training, and supervision of the girls. NHO receives technical training from Project Concern International in order to strengthen its operations and increase its capacity to expand its services.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE: WHY SUPPORT NEW HORIZON ORPHANAGE?
The answer is one child at a time. NHO fills a critical need for special care. Juliet lives and works closely with the girls in her care; every aspect of their lives and every struggle they face is part of her life too. This kind of attention and care is what makes the difference in the long run. With a small budget and a tight ship, Juliet is making sure that she is meeting every essential need of her girls, from adequate clothing to education and practical skills. Close monitoring will also keep the girls in school, and numerous studies have shown that with every additional year of schooling they are better able to protect themselves and their children against diseases such as HIV/AIDS and poverty, a critical need in Zambia. NHO functions with extremely limited funds; the project requires only $15,000 to support the girls for three years. Every dollar of your commitment brings us closer to realizing this goal. Your contributions can make an enormous and immediate impact in this small project. This is a great opportunity to change the world, one child at a time. You can help!
SECOND OPINION FROM FRIENDS
It was fortunate that God gave a chance to Mrs Chilengi to watch TBN Christian Network programme "Putting a smile on a face of a child". The programme opened up Mrs Chilengi's mind. Instantly God spoke to her heart to say, "just with what you have at hand you can initiate this programme" Without any hesitation she surrendered her own well-furnished house and turned it into NHO. Best, Juliet.
This site was updated on 29th September 2003
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