Zambia

Zambia is a diverse, land-locked country occupying an elevated plateau in south central Africa, with eight countries along its borders: Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo and Zimbabwe.

It has the largest water resources in the whole of southern Africa; with five massive lakes, 18 magnificent waterfalls, including the spectacular Victoria Falls along the Zambezi River, attracting an abundance of wildlife. Widely acknowledged as one of the safest and friendliest countries in the region, it’s sparsely populated by more than 70 ethnic groups, many of them Bantu-speaking.

Sadly Zambia has moved from being a major copper producer and potentially one of the continent's richest countries at independence in 1964, to one of the worlds poorest. A colonial legacy, mismanagement, debt and disease are said to have contributed to the country's tribulations.

The country ranks low in the UNDP's 2007 Human Development Index, at 165 out of 177 countries. Two thirds of the country (7.5 million) still live below the poverty line. Infant mortality rates are amongst the worst in sub Saharan Africa and it has one of the world's highest prevalence of HIV infection. AIDS is still a leading cause of adult deaths with 65% of hospital beds occupied by people with HIV/AIDS related infection and one in five mothers is HIV positive.

The other main causes of death are Malaria (50,000 children under 5 each year), Tuberculosis, Diarrhoea, Pneumonia and other preventable or treatable infections. Overall poverty levels have improved, with significant gains in urban areas, enrolment rates for primary education are rising, literacy is increasing, immunisation coverage is more widespread and child death rates are falling.

Bwafwano

Lusaka, Zambia

Bwafwano Home based Care and Community School was established as a community response to the increasing number of HIV and AIDS, TB and Orphaned and Vulnerable Children.

Children with Future in Zambia

Kitwe, Zambia

The NGO is involved in education and care of orphans and vulnerable children in Zambia.

Copperbelt Health Education Project

Kitwe, Zambia

The organisation aims to inform and educate local people about HIV and AIDS and encourage them to adopt healthy, safe behaviour.

The EduSport Foundation

Lusaka, Zambia

The EduSport Foundation is tackling issues like HIV/AIDS, poverty alleviation, and child rights in underprivileged communities in Zambia.

Friends of the Street Children

Nkana West, Kitwe, Zambia

The community organisation works with street children in the communities of Kitwe.

Kaloko Trust

Ndola, Zambia

The charity works to relieve poverty and raise livelihoods in rural communities in Zambia.

Salem Children's Village Project

Mindolo North, Kitwe, Zambia

The organisation is offering care, support, educational opportunities, skills training and HIV/AIDS prevention services to vulnerable groups living with HIV/AIDS.