The Republic of Zambia is an oddly shaped, landlocked country in southern Africa. With an area equivalent to that of the UK and France combined, it is bordered by ten countries, including Nambia, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It has a tropical climate and largely sits on a gently undulating plateau between 900 and 1500 metres above sea level.

During the period of British colonialism, which brought with it the exploitation of natural resources, mainly copper, 40 per cent of the population moved to the capital Lusaka and to the other principal towns, including Ndola, Kitwe and Chingola in the Copper Belt. This led to very low population densities in rural areas, where subsistence farming is still the norm.

Zambia has never been able to shake off its indebtedness and about 68 per cent of the population generally live below the poverty line, 78 per cent in rural areas. It is one of the world’s poorest nations. The average daily wage is 9,000 Kwacha, about £1.20. The average life expectancy is 38 years; infant mortality is about 10 per cent.

Primary education is free in principle, but for many school is a luxury. The cost of uniforms and books is prohibitive for many children. The fees for secondary education are beyond many families. 80 per cent of people over 15 years are illiterate.

Clean water and power supplies also present a challenge for many. In many cases family life has broken down as a result of the terrible consequences of HIV/Aids. In excess of one million Zambians live with HIV/Aids, nearly 1 in 5 adults aged 15 to 49. Transmission is generally mother-to-children and through heterosexual relationships. A generation of adults of working age is missing, their lives cut short by the disease. Babies are born and soon after become orphans. 710,000 children have lost one or both parents; 46 per cent of the population is under 15 years old.

Extended families provide the usual pattern of living for many people in Zambia and three or four generations live together or in adjoining hamlets. However, in many instances grandparents are now the carers of their young grandchildren due to Aids-related deaths.



It is hard to imagine the pain and heartache of losing one or both parents and for such children life continues to be a daunting struggle as their extended families strain to cope. Children suffer from many different things including:-

• Poor nutrition
• Poor housing or homelessness
• Illness and lack of health care
• Limited schooling
• Risk of abuse and neglect
• Emotional and psychological trauma
• Stress and depression

Map of Northern Zambia.

Open cast mine in the Copper Belt

Roadside poster.

Zambia. A country of such beauty and potential