UP Zambia:Free Legal & Social Support for Children

Thank you for your generous financial support and additional funding sources, Undikumbukire Project Zambia (UP Zambia) has made a significant impact in 2023. A total of 331 children have benefited from legal services, and 155 children have received therapy in custody and surrounding communities in Lusaka.

Throughout the year, UP Zambia diligently handled children's cases using the recently enacted Children's Code Act No 12 of 2022, that supports the welfare of children in Zambia. Working tirelessly from January to December 2023, we collaborated with various stakeholders, engaged in letter-writing, visited prisons and families, and ensured the implementation of the rights of children in conflict with the law.

With your continued financial support and additional funding sources, UP Zambia and our legal fraternity stakeholders have provided crucial legal services. Specifically:

Legal services were extended to 331 children.

90 children received free legal representation from UP Zambia Staff Attorneys.

46 children were successfully released on bail.

21 cases were withdrawn.

30 children's cases were discharged.

Recognizing the complex challenges faced by children in the criminal justice system, UP Zambia has offered group counselling sessions, one-to-one support, and family support groups. These initiatives create a safe space for children and guardians to express their emotions and embark on a journey toward positive behavioral change.

Your financial support has also enabled us to provide essential social services to children in custody and families in surrounding communities in parts of Lusaka. The breakdown of the social services provided is as follows:

155 children in custody and communities received therapy.

42 guardians and child offenders received family therapy.

38 children were successfully reintegrated into communities.

18 children have returned to school.

As we continue to advocate for imprisoned children through legal and social services, our primary focus remains on reducing the time children spend in correctional facilities while awaiting court cases and facilitating their discrimination-free reintegration into communities. Looking ahead to 2024, we are committed to engaging various stakeholders in the child justice system to find solutions in the best interest of the child. Your continued financial support will enable us to extend our assistance to more children, nurturing them as future leaders.

We express our gratitude for the invaluable financial support received in 2023, which has empowered children to access legal services and reintegrate into communities through social services.

Success Stories

Chad, who had endured more than three years in custody without contact with his family while awaiting a court date, finally had his day in court and was discharged. The reunion with his family was made possible with the assistance of UP Zambia, we played a crucial role in facilitating his successful reintegration into his community.

 Mwenda, who had spent over two years at Kamwala correctional facility, received a release order with counselling. The UP Zambia social support team accompanied him home and played a pivotal role in reestablishing a connection with his parents. Following his release, Mwenda expressed a desire to engage in the freezit making business and pursue his education. UP Zambia intervened, urging the child's parents to offer him another chance, and thankfully, they agreed. This allowed Mwenda to contribute to the family business and set him on the path to return to school. The team assisted in finding a suitable school for him and ensured he had the necessary resources to commence his educational journey.

With your financial support and additional funding sources, from January to June 2023, UP Zambia provided free legal services to 215 children appearing in court proceedings in Lusaka. Among those children, 38 were assisted with bail applications and 37 had the cases against them withdrawn.

UP Zambia has been working tirelessly on children’s cases from January to June 2023 while utilizing the Children’s Code Act. We have partnered with various stakeholders, written letters, and presented these cases in child justice forums and initiatives.

With your financial support, additional funding sources, UP Zambia and our stakeholders; 5 children who have waited for over 2 years have finally appeared before the Children’s Court, were released from prison, and reunited with their families.

The Children’s Code Act has been impactful in our work and has assisted us in mitigating the best solutions for the children’s cases.

UP Zambia’s aim is to protect the rights of Zambian children who are in conflict with the law, strengthen the child justice system, and harmonize the applications of procedures that apply to children.

These are the number of children UP Zambia has provided free legal services with your financial support and our additional funding sources from January to June 2023:

• Children provided with legal services – 215
• Children released on bail – 38
• Cases withdrawn – 17
• Cases discharged – 20

As we continue to advocate for imprisoned children, our main concern is to shorten the time children spend in correctional facilities while waiting for their court cases. UP Zambia will continue to engage with various stakeholders in the child justice system to find solutions that are in the children's best interest.

We thank you all for the support you have given to this programme through you’re your financial support.