Zambian AIDS Orphans
Located in the center of southern Africa, Zambia is among the nations most affected by AIDS. Nearly 20% of Zambia’s four million children are now orphans, mostly as a result of AIDS. Without outside support, many of these children would not be able to attend school. Although tuition is now free through 6th grade, each child must purchase uniforms and supplies that total $125 per year, in a country having a per-capita income of $300.
By
providing that support, First Parish Church has made school attendance
possible for many children. Since 2001, First Parish has worked with other
area churches through the Communities Without Borders (CWB) charity to
sponsor several dozen vulnerable children in Lusaka’s “shantytown”
compounds. This program allows children to get a few meals a week, and
to pay for their schooling and their school clothes and shoes. $100 per
year will give a child a chance for a decent education. The fundraising
for this is typically done in the spring but a donation can be made at
any time to CWB. In 2005 four congregants made a service oriented trip
to Zambia to see the conditions first hand and establish personal connections
with our partner communities in Lusaka. Two congregants visited in early
2006 as well.
Contact: Al Jacobson, Rodney Lowe, Chris Kyle, or Cris
Carter
Below are pictures taken by Al Jacobson on his recent trip to Zambia in February, '06. First Parish members are supporting the children in the photos.
