We'll soon be on the Road to Africa... Zambia, Africa!
For three weeks this July, our mission team will be traveling in Zambia with Alliance for Children Everywhere (ACE). Founded in 1969 by Virginia Woods, the mission of ACE is to demonstrate the great love of Jesus Christ by helping children in crisis. Christian Alliance for Children in Zambia (CACZ), was established in 1997, and works to carry out the mission of ACE in Zambia.
Zambia is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. It is bordered by the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north; Tanzania to the north-east; Malawi to the east; Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Namibia to the south; and Angola to the west. The capital city of Lusaka is located in the south-central part of the country.
Zambia became an independent republic in 1964. Zambia has experienced strong economic growth in recent years, but poverty remains a serious problem with reports of over 68% of the Zambian population living below the nation's poverty level.
In Zambia, Africa, one-third of the children are orphans, many as a result of the HIV/AIDS epidemic; almost one-half of the children are so malnourished their growth is stunted; and more than half of the children are not in school.
And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you,
as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'
-Matthew 25:40
For three weeks this July, our mission team will be traveling in Zambia with Alliance for Children Everywhere (ACE). Founded in 1969 by Virginia Woods, the mission of ACE is to demonstrate the great love of Jesus Christ by helping children in crisis. Christian Alliance for Children in Zambia (CACZ), was established in 1997, and works to carry out the mission of ACE in Zambia.
CACZ operates two homes for abandoned children,
AIDS orphans, and children in crisis.
At present there are 31 babies and toddlers in one home and 23 children
ages 2-6 in the other, but this varies as new children are brought in
and families in crisis are helped and reunited with their children. CACZ also provides assistance to
extended families and advocates for adoption.
In addition, CACZ runs programs to provide sustenance to families with young children and free education to children who cannot afford to attend school. The Milk and Medicine Program in the compounds (slums) around Lusaka provides infant formula and supplements to babies at risk of malnutrition and starvation and food staples to their families. Education is provided at no cost to 2500 children in 7 faith based schools; lunch is also served in several of these. A high school provides a first class education for 350 students. The last two years saw the first graduating classes and a remarkable achievement of all graduating students passing the exam required by Zambia in order to graduate.
While in Zambia, our team will be the hands and feet of the Lord. We will rock the babies, play with the toddlers, teach the school children, and serve those who need it most. We will open our hearts, give smiles and hugs generously, and we will demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ to those we meet, both big and small! We can't wait!
In addition, CACZ runs programs to provide sustenance to families with young children and free education to children who cannot afford to attend school. The Milk and Medicine Program in the compounds (slums) around Lusaka provides infant formula and supplements to babies at risk of malnutrition and starvation and food staples to their families. Education is provided at no cost to 2500 children in 7 faith based schools; lunch is also served in several of these. A high school provides a first class education for 350 students. The last two years saw the first graduating classes and a remarkable achievement of all graduating students passing the exam required by Zambia in order to graduate.
While in Zambia, our team will be the hands and feet of the Lord. We will rock the babies, play with the toddlers, teach the school children, and serve those who need it most. We will open our hearts, give smiles and hugs generously, and we will demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ to those we meet, both big and small! We can't wait!
We welcome you to join us on our adventure!
You won't need a passport (or any shots!) to learn more about ACE and CACZ, to meet our team, or to hear what we're up to when we touch down in Zambia. We'll keep you updated right here on our blog - provided the Internet in Zambia cooperates, it can be a bit temperamental!
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