Zambia Orphans of AIDS

Zambia is one of the African countries hardest hit by HIV/AIDS. About 19 percent of children under 18, or 1.1 million, are orphans, most of them due to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. About 70 percent of the population earns less than US$1 per day, so families, communities and schools are overstretched in their efforts to care for children. Many households are now headed by children, as young as eleven, who are forced to forego the education they need to prepare for a harsh economic environment, as they struggle to care for their younger siblings.

In response to this crisis, Zambia Orphans of AIDS (ZOA) was formed by concerned Zambians and now has members from across the world. It is registered in the United States of America, the United Kingdom and Zambia.

The projects supported use the funds in income- generating activities, in skills enhancement and direct provisioning of food, school and medical needs of the children. In all, about 4000 orphans are reached and assisted through ZOA’s efforts.

Zambia Orphans of AIDS touches close to 7000 children

Zambia Orphans of AIDS UK held a very successful launch party at the Irish Embassy in London on June 14, 2007. See ZOA-UK page for more details.

Zambia Orphans of AIDS partners with Counterpart International, a US-based global development NGO that operates in 37 countries.

The World Bank Community Connections includes ZOA among the non Washington NGOs and PVOs it raised money for.

St. John the Beloved Catholic Church, McLean, Virginia, through St. Peter Claver Society for African Orphans and tithing, raises funds for ZOA for the third year running.

The International Monetary Fund’s Helping Hands continue to support ZOA.

Stanley and Rhoda Fischer donate to ZOA for the fourth year running.

Significant contributions from members and supporters (over $4500).

Derek Serpell, born in Zambia, and his wife Amanda Brosch Serpell, generously donate to ZOA.

	that 78% of orphans in Zambia were orphaned by AIDS
	that it is estimated that by 2005, there will be almost 2 million orphans in Zambia.
	that Zambia will rank first among sub-Saharan African countries with a large orphan population by 2010.