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Zambia's forgotten children

CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

IN THE ZAMBIAN CONTEXT

Disability is often viewed as a stigma in many parts of Africa, including Zambia, leading to exclusion from the social community, as people are ashamed of those with disabilities. This mindset stems from traditional cultural influences. As a result, children with physical or mental impairments are often hidden away at home and receive no individual support. Only a very small percentage of children with disabilities in Africa attend school. Many older individuals with disabilities live in extreme poverty, are isolated, discriminated against, and often even abused. The situation for these people is extremely complex. We aim to counteract this by partnering with a school for children with disabilities to offer individual support and assistance, while also providing love, acceptance, and appreciation in a special way.

Through the roof

Our partner, Through The Roof, offers school programs and support for children with disabilities and their families. Just like the biblical story in Mark 2:1-12, where a paralyzed man was lowered through the roof by his four friends to reach Jesus, the goal of the team is to serve the children and families entrusted to them in a holistic way.

At Life Trust, we share a similar vision: We want to serve vulnerable children and their families in Zambia, offering them hope for a better future through education, discipleship, and the principle of “helping people help themselves.”

In small groups with two caregivers, the children at Through The Roof receive individual attention and a warm lunch. They also receive medical care, which often requires a three-hour drive to the capital, Lusaka. In weekly meetings, guardians (mostly women) can ask questions, exchange experiences, and pray together. These meetings teach them that God loves and values their children (contrary to the cultural viewpoint).

Our Life Trust social workers are present at the school and are happy to take on the new challenge of providing individual support to these special children and their families.

All of this is independently organized by the leadership of the partner school.

STRONGER TOGETHER

In practical terms, this means that it is possible to sponsor a child with a disability at our partner school, Through The Roof, through Life Trust. These special sponsored children will receive the same services as, for example, the children at Life Trust School Waya. This will help ensure that children with disabilities also have a chance at a better future, experiencing love and care along the way.

SPONSOR A SPECIAL-NEEDS CHILD

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