THERE ARE OVER ONE MILLION ORPHANED CHILDREN IN ZAMBIA.
While institutions can provide children with life-saving rescue, they cannot replace the love of a secure, permanent family.
Studies show that institutionalized children do not develop the secure attachments needed to form a healthy sense of self and trusting relationships. Instead, institutionalized children face lifelong higher risks of exposure to illness, abuse, and poverty compared with children raised in secure families.
That is why our programs protect families in crisis; restore orphaned children to family; and strengthen communities through economic empowerment and education.
CHILD WELFARE SERVICES
Crisis care
Our staff understand, recognize, and respond to the effects of trauma upon orphaned and abandoned children in crisis care with follow-on case management.
Shelter
Our crisis nurseries give children emotional and physical protection while we focus on identifying permanent and loving families for them.
Reintegration
Whenever possible, we seek to reintegration children with biological family. We create a customized plan to ensure a safe and healthy reintegration process with systemic support to prevent future disruption.
Placement
We recruit, assess, train, and prepare permanent foster and adoptive families within Zambia for children without available biological family. We offer continued support through post-placement visits and family networking opportunities.
LEARN MORE ABOUT FOSTERING OR ADOPTION
FAMILY PRESERVATION AND EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM SERVICES
Food relief
Our monthly supply of emergency food relief includes infant formula, maize meal, cooking oil, ground nuts, and nutritional supplements. With food security, mothers and caregivers can focus on the next steps.
Skills training
ACE Zambia partners with international NGOs and local business owners to teach marketable skills like tailoring, rug-making, and goat farming. We also assist participants in finding employment or establishing their own micro-enterprises.
Savings groups
We help families to develop financial resilience within their local communities. ACE Zambia staff leads community savings groups that introduce healthy financial habits and a structure for families to grow their earnings together.
Seed capital
We provide seed capital to cover the initial expenses of launching a micro-enterprise. Participants receiving coaching from our staff as they establish their businesses and prepare for life after graduation.
EDUCATION PROGRAM SERVICES
Quality education
On average, our primary school students achieve 20% higher national test scores than students in government schools. Secondary graduates boast a 100% pass rate, double the national average, and are prepared to be competitive in their fields of career or study.
Gender equality
Girls are less likely to complete their primary and secondary education due to domestic responsibilities, early marriage, or pregnancy. We champion gender equality and maintain a 50/50 enrollment ratio of boys and girls.
Role models
Students in our schools see their teachers as educators and trustworthy adult figures. Many are single and double orphans who look to their teachers to guide them through their life challenges and help them reach their goals.
Feeding program
We serve our students a hot lunch, which is often their only meal of the day. Receiving a reliable meal improves attendance, focus, and performance in their studies.