How Child Hope Began

The inspiration of establishing Child-Hope Zambia came from the community in Chief Mwanachingwala`s area in Magoye, southern province, Zambia. They realized that most of their children were vulnerable and the number of orphans was increasing without knowing exactly the main cause of deaths for the parents.

The community also realized that most of its children lacked education, health, nutrition and protection. It was during the first weeks of mobilization when the community realized that most of the children’s parents were dying as a result of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Because of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, most of the children in the community became AIDS victims.

The community desired to support orphans and other vulnerable children but did not know where to start from. One day Mr. Chim Mvula, (who is now known as the coordinator of Child-Hope), was in this community with his brother, who normally went into different villages spreading the word of God.

One day, Mr. Mvula decided to take a walk around to see how one of the villages looked. As he was walking around, he met some older men who were talking about the vulnerability of children in the villages. Mr.Mvula just listened to their conversation as he was following them from behind. When these men realized there was somebody following them, they reduced their step and greeted Mr.Mvula as per culture in the rural areas. One of them said, “It looks like you are the one who came with those men preaching the word of God. I might have seen you organizing things.” Mr. Mvula responded saying they were right.
Another one said, “You could be the right person to talk to.” We are discussing how we could get some help from somewhere in order for us to help the orphans and other vulnerable children because there are a lot of problems affecting them.

The one who had approached Mr. Mvula first said again, “I thought of you because I believe with what you are doing currently, you meet a lot of people and it could be easy for you to talk to some people that could help.” Mr. Mvula said, “I heard your conversation as I was following you, I equally have a passion for the children.”
Mr. Mvula went on to say several times he had visited different villages and had seen that rural children were really in need. Most of the community members when asked said a number of children had one or both of their parents die due to the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

Mr. Mvula went on to say, most of the time he traveled to the rural areas, he equally saw children with big bellies, swollen faces and most of them looked hungry. Mr. Mvula also narrated a story of one family he had visited in the village which had not eaten for two days. When he heard the story of the family and how children looked, he was prompted to go to the nearest market to buy some dry fish (kapenta) and pre-packed mealie-meal for the family to prepare something to eat.

Mr. Mvula also discovered that the children in that family did not have blankets and covered themselves with sacks in the night. He could not believe that some families went without food and covered themselves with sacks until when he saw this with his own eyes. It reminded him how some people in town had excess food and blankets which could help the orphans and other vulnerable children.

He told the old men that they were sharing the same vision. He assured the men that he would go to different places to look for support for orphans, AIDS victims in Zambia and other vulnerable children especially those in the rural areas.

When the men heard this from Mr.Mvula, they embarked on community awareness campaign. The community responded very well and formed a committee that looked at the activities that were taking place. Mr. Mvula went a major campaign of soliciting for donations from individuals, businesses, churches and well-wishers in and out of Lusaka. The response was good.

With the assistance from individuals, well-wishers, churches, charities, foundations, volunteers, donors, other charitable organization and the Government of Zambia, Child-Hope has been growing and spreading to other villages. Because of this, a lot of children’s dreams have been realized. We are thankful to all who have joined us in fulfilling the work of Child-Hope Zambia!!!