At the Kabwata Orphanage and Transit Centre in Lusaka, Zambia, orphaned and abandoned are cared for in a loving environment, and thanks to the supporters of Bread and Water for Africa®, are ensured of getting three healthy meals every day.
Founder and director Angela Miyanda reported in January that “the continuation of the infection of COVID-19 has continued to create unforeseen challenges. However, the program is managing the day-to-day issues that come up unexpectedly.”
And this is despite the fact that rampant inflation is causing significant increases in the prices of basic food staple items, and the demand for housing and food is growing “due to the poverty that has been created by the lack of employment of parents because of COVID-19 in the country,” says Angela.
In addition to the 40 girls and 26 boys living at Kabwata last year, 32 more living in extended family situations or foster care are also provided with boxes of food every month.
Among them are Mwila and his young brothers who were left abandoned in their village after the death of their mother with no one to take care of them.
“The food was never enough,” Angela told us. “Each time it was time to eat, Mwila gave his food to his brothers while he remained without food most of the time – until he became malnourished himself.”
Over the course of our more than 20-year partnership with Angela and Kabwata, our joint mission has been to make orphanage more and more self-sufficient, especially when it comes to providing the children with fresh, healthy food.
To that end, thanks again to our generous supporters, we have been able to provide Kabwata with grant funding for capital projects including a banana plantation, dig and stock ponds for fish farming, building chicken coops, plant vegetable gardens, and most recently, construct a greenhouse.
“This is happening as the vegetable farm is supplementing food for the home, and some is being sold to generate income,” says Angela, noting that the garden includes strawberry plants providing a sweet, healthy treat for the children.
Regardless of the situation that brought them to Kabwata, all the children living there, or supported through its outreach program, are grateful to Angela, who they refer to as “mommy,” in recognition of how fortunate they are given what their previous life was like.
“Most families are in poverty because most companies that employ people for casual or daily jobs have closed down,” she said. “There is a lot of violence in the homes because of the lack of food” with many children forced to search for food to steal due to the dire hunger.
For now, despite the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, Angela can report that “the children have enough food from the garden and fish farming.
“We will continue to strive to do our best as Americans through Bread and Water for Africa® have provided funding for the program for the little helpless children in our care.
“Though challenges have been experienced, we are determined to overcome them.”