Central
Where we work in Central Province
We work with two partners in Central Province, in Kabanana on the outskirts of the capital city, Lusaka, and in Bwacha Township in Kabwe, the capital of Central Province. 100km north of Lusaka, Kabwe is in the heart of what is known as the Copperbelt. Above all, Kabwe has the dubious reputation of being named the world’s most toxic town by pollution experts due to a century of lead mining and smelting. Although the mines closed in 1994 the dusty soil in the surrounding area still has extreme levels of lead.
More than one third of the population of Kabwe live in lead-contaminated townships and this can cause many problems. For instance, children exposed to lead contamination can experience reading and learning challenges and can lead to a range of disabilities. Human Rights Watch research found that lead contamination in Kabwe has a disproportionate impact on those living in deprived areas.
We know that education is a proven route out of poverty and gives children the potential to transform not just their lives but the lives of their family. Each extra year of education raises lifetime earnings by around 10%.
Our Work
Through our partner in Kabwe, Angelina Tembo Girls School, we are supporting girls to attend tertiary institutions to gain vocational qualifications that will help them to access reliable employment.
ZOA wants to break the cycle of poverty and improve social mobility in Zambia. That’s why we aim to equip particularly disadvantaged students with vocational skills to help them access good jobs in professions like teaching or in healthcare, enabling them to earn an income that could lift their entire family out of poverty
The next generation of teachers
Monica, 21 years old
“I want to continue my education because I believe education is the key to success, hence I’ll succeed in life. I will get a stable job after college. I will also donate to ZOA so that through me others are educated.”
[Monica is now in her third year at Kabwe Institute of Technology. She is studying for a Diploma in Education. ZOA supports her college costs. She is pictured helping out at Angelina Tembo Girls School, to give something back to the community.
Empowering students with disabilities
Live, 26 years old
I wanted to study medicine because I want to serve my community by saving lives and contribute to the development of my country.”
[Live is a second year student training to be a Clinical Officer at Agape Nursing School, Kabwe. Live’s parents are both dead and he and his younger sister are albino. There are more than 30,000 albinos in Zambia who face widespread social prejudice.
Help change a child's future
Your help can support children through primary and secondary school, provide nutritious school meals so pupils aren’t learning on an empty stomach and support those that can through tertiary vocational training. We provide a holistic approach so also provide mental health support and other inputs where needed.