While many organizations that help orphans in Africa work to address critical issues like clean water, healthcare, poverty, and education, millions of children remain highly vulnerable.
When there is so much to do, it can seem like a long-enduring uphill battle. We have hope, however, because we have witnessed encouraging progress, particularly in our efforts to help orphans in Africa. See what’s been done and how you can help us continue to provide homes, health, and opportunities to children in critical need.
By the Numbers: Orphans in Africa
Bread and Water for Africa supports orphanages in four countries: Zimbabwe, Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia. A huge percentage of these populations are children, and millions of these children face humanitarian challenges like poverty, flooding, drought, and disease – whether they have a family or not. But without anyone to care for and protect them, orphans in these countries face even harsher conditions.
How Many Orphaned Children Are There in Africa?
According to recent estimates, approximately 35 million children in Africa are without parental care. This figure includes children who have lost one or both parents due to various causes, including disease, conflict, and other adversities.
Country-Specific Data
Zimbabwe: An estimated 761,000 children have been orphaned primarily due to HIV/AIDS.
Kenya: Approximately 2.08 million children are orphans, with 32% of them orphaned due to HIV/AIDS.
Tanzania: Approximately 2.6 million orphaned children, with HIV/AIDS being the leading cause of orphanhood.
Zambia: over half of the country’s population is under the age of 18, and it has one of the highest rates of child marriage in Africa – on top of at least 41% suffering from inadequate housing, nutrition, education, and sanitation. Zambia is estimated to have about 1.4 million orphans.
What Do Orphans in Africa Need?
Children without parental care face many challenges beyond just basic survival. To thrive, they require:
- Nutritious food and clean water to prevent malnutrition and disease.
- Access to education so they can build a future and break the cycle of poverty.
- Healthcare services, including vaccines and medical treatment for common illnesses.
- Safe housing and protection from abuse, exploitation, and trafficking.
- Emotional and psychological support to help them cope with loss and trauma.
Through our Orphan Care Program, we ensure children receive this holistic support in the safe and loving environments provided by our partner orphanages.
How We Assist Orphans in Africa
With our partners in Kenya, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, we give orphaned or abandoned children a safe, loving home with access to food, clean water, healthcare, counseling, and education. We take care of their basic needs while providing a platform where they can grow and live a better life when they enter adulthood.
In Kenya, we provide care for children at Lewa Children’s Home. In Zambia, we support Kabwata Orphanage and Transit Center. In Zimbabwe, help the Shinga Development Trust which operates the Lerato Children’s Village, and in Tanzania we support Watoto Wa Africa.
Here are some of our stories of hope and progress:
Zambia
At Kabwata Orphanage and Transit Center, orphaned and abandoned children find a loving home, education, healthcare, and support for a better future. Founded over 20 years ago by Angela Miyanda, the center has transformed the lives of hundreds of children who once faced uncertain futures.
John’s Journey: From the Streets to a Bright Future
John was just three years old when he was abandoned on the streets of Lusaka. With no known relatives, he was rescued and brought to Kabwata Orphanage, where he found a new family.
Years later, his grandfather was located, and John went to live with him in a rural area. However, without access to school or basic services, he spent two years herding livestock instead of receiving an education. Recognizing the barriers to his future, Kabwata helped bring him back to the orphanage, where he could finally start his education.
Today, John is thriving in secondary school, looking forward to a future full of opportunity.
Kenya
At Lewa Children’s Home, abandoned and orphaned children find a safe, loving environment where they can heal and grow. Founded by Phyllis Keino, Lewa has been transforming lives for over three decades, ensuring that every child receives food, education, and medical care.
Three Brothers Given a Second Chance
Wilson, Samuel, and Joseph were abandoned by their mother and left to survive on their own. A neighbor heard their cries and brought them to Lewa, where Phyllis welcomed them with open arms. The boys arrived malnourished and sick, unable to read or write.
With proper care, nutrition, and education, they are now healthy, learning, and looking forward to a brighter future.
Twins Levi and Lily: From Abandonment to Hope
Born to a mother struggling with mental illness, twins Levi and Lily had no one to care for them. After a Good Samaritan stepped in, the local authorities placed them at Lewa Children’s Home at just one month old.
Today, Levi and Lily are thriving, attending school, and growing up in a loving, stable home—one they might have never known without Lewa’s support.
➡️ Read Levi & Lily’s full story
Zimbabwe
The Lerato Children’s Village in Zimbabwe is operated by our longtime partner, Shinga Development Trust. Their mission is to provide orphaned and vulnerable children with a safe and loving home, meeting their basic needs while empowering them to reach their full potential and become self-sufficient.
Under the leadership of founder and director Margaret Makambira, Lerato Children’s Village offers food, shelter, healthcare, education, and emotional support. Beyond providing necessities, children are taught life skills and receive mentorship and counseling to prepare them for a brighter future.
Melissa’s Journey from Rejection to Hope
Melissa’s story is one of resilience in the face of unimaginable hardship. After losing both her parents, she was passed from one relative to another until her own family falsely accused her of witchcraft and refused to feed her. At just 10 years old, she survived by begging for food.
Thankfully, the government intervened and brought her to Lerato Children’s Village, where she was welcomed with open arms. Though initially withdrawn, Melissa received counseling and gradually adjusted to her new home, forming friendships and starting school for the first time.
Today, she is thriving in a supportive environment, receiving an education, and working towards a better future—all made possible by the care and commitment of Lerato Children’s Village.
Tanzania
In 2022, the founder and program director of Watoto Wa Africa (Children of Africa), Josephat Kirutu reached out to Bread and Water for Africa® for urgent help in preventing the orphanage he operates in Mwanza, Tanzania for 86 children from being closed by the government due to several noted deficiencies.
Among the issues was a lack of proper beds and bedding for the children in the youth, which thanks to the supporters of Bread and Water for Africa® not only were we able provide new mattresses, fix the broken bed frames that were repairable, and purchase additional ones along with new sheets and pillowcases, but we also outfitted each bed with mosquito nets to protect children from contracting malaria.
With our new partnership established and the number of children and youth residing at the orphanage since increased to 108, along with the fact that Josephat had informed us of the loss of a longtime benefactor of the orphanage had put severe financial strain on its operations, we are once again turning to our supporters for help in keeping the children housed and fed.
“Our aim is to improve the welfare of vulnerable children and provide for their basic needs – shelter, food, clothing, education, medical care, etc.,” says Josephat. “We aim to promote an environment for the most vulnerable children in which they can play and positively develop to reach their full potential.”
He explained that the issue of orphans and those he refers to as “street children” is “acute due to urbanization and industrialization” and that a “recent drought in our area has aggravated the situation further.”
While most countries around the world have mitigated what was once known as the AIDS epidemic through education, medication and treatment, such is not the case in Tanzania as the numbers of orphaned children continue to grow in the country of 21 million due to AIDS deaths, as well as unplanned and unwanted pregnancies and a general “absence of love.”
“These orphans and street children are left without care and support,” says Josephat. “These children are involved in ‘rag picking’ (searching through trash in hopes of finding something “valuable” to sell for a few cents), pickpocketing and participating on other antisocial and criminal activities.”
Among those who have found a loving home and hope for a brighter future are Josephina who arrived at the orphanage at age 10 in 2014 with her then-4-year-old brother Julius who had lost their parents to AIDS.
“They were living with their very old grandmother who could not take care of them,” explained Josephat. “The local government authorities intervened and notified social welfare officials who brought them to us from a neighboring village.”
Josephina, now 19, is on the verge of completing her secondary school with dreams of becoming a nurse, while Julius, now 13, is attending primary school.
Join Us in Helping African Orphans Thrive
These are just a few stories that show the power your support has to make a very real and lasting impact on the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable, at-risk children.
Fulfilling the basic, needs of these orphans – providing shelter, food, medical and mental healthcare, and vital education – is such a worthwhile and noble mission. We hope you can help us continue supporting these orphanages in Africa.
How You Can Help Orphans in Africa
Donate to Provide Food, Shelter & Education. Your support ensures children receive essential care. Here’s how donations help:
- $25 – Provides school supplies for one child.
- $50 – Covers meals for a child for a month.
- $100 – Supports medical care for a child.
Together, We Can Change Lives
The orphan crisis in Africa is urgent, but solutions exist. By supporting african orphanages, you can provide children with hope, safety, and a future filled with opportunity.
🌍 Make a difference today!
