Though Hands at Work operates in 12 communities in Zambia and each project is distinct and community owned and operated, operations divide naturally into three distinct geographic regions: Kabwe, Luanshya, and West Zambia. The projects are at various stages of development and regularly support one another with exchange visits and guidance.

Kabwe Area, Zambia

Kabwe, population 180,000 is located 135 km north of Lusaka in the central part of Zambia. A once prosperous area, Kabwe’s economy was devastated by the rapid shut down of mining industry activity in the area in 1991. High levels of poverty and HIV soon followed. Today Kabwe struggles under the weight of alarmingly high—and growing— numbers of orphans and dying adults. Lack of education for all children, especially including orphans and vulnerable children is a significant issue in the country. For many Zambian orphans attendance at community schools is not only their only opportunity for education, but also the only contact they have adult caregivers.

The Projects
There are six community-based projects operating in the Kabwe region engaged in home-based care among the sick and dying in the community as well as orphan care and feeding for orphans and vulnerable children. Twelve community schools have also been established, providing education, psycho-social support as well as nutritional food.

Expansion Plans
Keeping pace with the growing number of orphans being registered in the project, Kabwe community school teachers and orphan care volunteers are in significant need of preparation and training. Office staff also require project management training. Plans are in place to equip schools with better buildings and adequate school supplies. A number of income-generating activities are also being considered.

Luanshya Area, Zambia

North of Kabwe, the Luanshya area also suffers from the economic and subsequent social and health crisis of the collapsed mining industry. HIV rates, orphan numbers and lack of education have reached critical levels.

The Projects
Three community-based projects are operating in Luanshya, providing home-based care among the sick and dying in the community as well as orphan care and feeding for orphans and vulnerable children. Six community schools have also been established. Luanshya is also the location of a prototype model for Hands at Work, the Wakefield farm, a previous farm facility being renovated and developed into a holistic community intervention village hosting orphan camps, and training seminars and offering training facilities, income-generating activities, accommodation, and offices for community-based project staff.

Expansion Plans
Preparations are underway to provide life skills empowerment to community widows and orphans, as well as income-generating activities based on the Wakefield farm and in the community. Further renovation and development of Wakefield farm facilities is ongoing; project offices are planned for the end of 2007. Plans are also in place to better equip community school facilities and to provide clean water at school sites.

In addition, a new project site only 40 km from the Wakefield farm site named Mulenga has been identified as a community in severe need. Local project leaders have been identified in the area and teams of local volunteers are being mobilized in service for the community’s most vulnerable.

West Zambia Area

Located in a low-lying, regularly flooded, and, thus, often isolated river basin region, the Western Province is one of the hardest areas to reach in all of Zambia, one of the least developed countries in Africa. A 2004 study carried out by UNICEF in the area estimated at least 103,000 orphans were already present. With many other adults sick and dying, the current numbers are estimated to be significantly higher.

The Projects
In 2006 Hands at Work connected with Zambia Project to begin working among the orphans and the dying in three Western Province communities.

In Namshekendy, a committee of local leaders is in place appointing volunteers and training them to begin home-based care and orphan care work.

In Kalabo, located an often-treacherous boat ride across the Zambezi River from Namshekendy, volunteers are working in a small home-based care team and supporting patients starting ARV treatment for HIV/AIDS.

In Sefula work has begun challenging local churches to begin fulfilling the mandate to care for orphans and widows in their community as a team of local volunteers is being gathered to begin their training.

Expansion Plans
Growing numbers of home-based care volunteers continue to be appointed and must continually be trained in properly caring for the sick and orphaned. Assessments to determine numbers of orphans and child-headed households are beginning in the communities. As well, land is being secured for a training and meeting base, as well as a place to begin developing orphan gardens.