Zambia

Background of Zambia 

The Republic of Zambia is in south-central Africa. It is potentially one of the richest countries on the continent, but is now amongst the world's poorest. The average person lives on less than $1 a day. Zambia gained independence from the UK in 1964, and subsequent socialist policies wreaked havoc on the economy. Today the economy has opened up and the government seems dedicated to tackling development issues. Providing anti retrovirals to people with HIV/AIDS is a high priority. Zambia is a peaceful country, more stable than many of its neighbours.

There are an extremely high number of children in need in Zambia, either orphaned or neglected. Family breakdown is becoming more regular due to both the rural exodus in search of employment, which is destroying the traditional concept of extended families, and because of the AIDS epidemic. At least 50 per cent of Zambia's population are expected to die of HIV-related diseases in the next three years. Life expectancy is 38 years. 10% of all children have lost both parents.

In addition to this, there is wide unemployment in Zambia, and the current world wide recession has not helped. In Kitwe and Ndola, where our partners work, many people relied on the copper mining industry to provide their livelihood. The picture depicts children in front of the mines in Kitwe. More and more of these mines are now closing down, and the adults in the compounds are finding themselves without any means of supporting themselves.

Children in Zambia

Given the high occurrence of family breakdown and either single or double orphans in Zambia, it is no surprise that there are many children living on the street.  Poverty pushes children towards the street. Families may not be able to provide the money they need to send the children to school, so the children feel the need to go to the streets and try and earn the money they need.  Some children are asked by their families to beg during the day to help supplement the family income.

The use of drugs, in particular glue, is rife among the street children in Zambia.  It is easy to obtain in the markets and surrounding compounds, and is made out of a mix of petrol and jet fuel, which makes for a very potent mix.  When asked why they sniff glue, children point out that it suppresses their hunger and takes away the cold in the evenings.  It also takes them out of their own reality, a form of escapism from street life.