Zambia: Support for Schooling of HIV/AIDS Orphans

AAR Japan carries out income generation activities through which we aim to provide educational support to HIV/AIDS orphans in Lusaka, the capital of Zambia. In this report, we would like to introduce Steri (50) and her grandson Moses (15). Steri engages in maize milling, one of the two income generation activities which we implement.

In Zambia, people daily eat a dish called ‘nshima’, made from maize flour which is locally called ‘mealie-meal’. People dry the maize they harvest in the rainy season and usually have it milled at a milling store or a communal milling machine when available. AAR Japan’s Ng’ombe office, located in the suburb of Lusaka, is equipped with a roller milling machine and people in the neighborhood bring the dried maize to have it milled.

Steri started engaging in the maize milling activity soon after AAR Japan began its income generation activities. Before joining this project, she had never used a milling machine and at first she had reams of trouble every day such as jamming the machine with maize. She gradually mastered the operation and she has now learned how to maintain the machine in good condition- she can even fix most cases of trouble. She has also masters to mill according to the each taste of customers. As each customer has a different taste in how much bran should be left and contained, Steri intently listens to the customers and offers exactly what they want. With her sociable and kind personality, she is very popular among the customers.

Steri lives with one child and 11 grandchildren. Moses (15), one of her grandsons, is in the 7^th grade at a community school in Ng’ombe Compound. He lost his parents at the age of five and was raised by Steri. He used to misbehave with his friends and be rebellious to his grandmother during his adolescence, but now, he takes good care of the younger cousins and helps his grandmother with daily chores. Steri strongly wishes that he could graduate high school and become an independent adult who respects others. 

Moses will start to go to junior high school next year. He will be needed to pay approximately 10 USD a month for a school fee and he will also need new school uniform and stationaries. Students are also required to pay for taking term-end examinations. AAR Japan is currently supporting 47 students and unfortunately we are still unable to cover all the expense of the education by our income generation activities. The donation through GlobalGiving will help to supplement the school fee for each child. Your generous support children will immediately help the students to complete their education which then gives these a strong foundation for a bright future. 

AAR Japan has been supporting schooling of HIV/AIDS orphans in Lusaka, the capital of Zambia. The following report introduces one of the orphans we support.

Violet (age.16) is a 9th grade student at Flying Angels Community School in Ng'ombe Compound located in the north of Lusaka. She lost her father soon after her birth and her mother also passed away when she was 6. Since then she has been raised by her grandmother Petronella who gave her much loving attention. However, the living of two was not too easy to let Violet attend school since Petronella herself has lost her husband years ago and has to earn living utterly by herself. AAR Japan therefore has been supporting Violet's school fee and expenses for school materials.

Violet is always full of carefree and bright smile. Pessimism and pity are hard to be found in her expression despite her loss of parents. She believes and declares that her happy life owes much to her grandmother Petronella, who has showered her with lots of love. "I was very young when I lost my parents and didn't realize what was going on. Now I know that I have been able to live happily because my grandmother was always there for me", Violet said.

Violet's favorite subjects are English and Environmental Science. She is very fluent in English and capable of articulating her thoughts in the language, which is not very easy for other students. In the coming October, she is going up for the National Exam, which is very important for student in Zambia since its result will determine whether one can advance to high school or not. She showed nervousness toward the exam although she is a brilliant student and once got a top score in her class due to her strong wish to continue education. Her dream is to be a journalist and she explains why; "Violence against women and vulnerable people is a serious problem in this country. I want to be a famous journalist in order to convey this problem to many people." The school fee of Violet is covered by AAR's income-generating activities of chicken rearing and maize milling, and also by your contribution.