Zambia, a country in Southern Africa, has been devastated by poverty, AIDS and other diseases.  It is estimated that Zambia has over one million orphans and many street children. 20% of all children in Zambia have lost either one or both parents.  The impoverished state of the nation often hinders the extended family members from providing for orphans.  Many children have been left to care for themselves.

CHILDREN'S HOMES

Our goal in Zambia is to provide a safe, healthy environment for orphaned and needy children.  Some are placed in our children’s homes where they receive food, clothes, health care, education, life skills and spiritual training in a family environment. The homes are located in Ndola:

·Garment Of Praise Home established in 2001

· Oil Of Joy Home Established in 2003

Each house provides for eight children, a house mother and a manager. We are in the process of opening new homes. We like the set up of a small unit as it provides for care and attention to the children.

 CHILD SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM

Children who are not able to come into our homes due to space, but have family members who are able to look after them are sponsored within their extended family to go to school. This is a program where we sponsor orphaned and disadvantaged children in the community. This Christian sponsorship program provides for school needs and Bible study. The sponsorship is $40 per child.

FEEDING PROGRAM

 Mercy Touch operates a feeding program in the area where the homes are located.  Working with a local clinic Mercy Touch identifies malnourished children under five years and puts them on a feeding program until they increase to normal weight.