Who is Zambian Mission Project? (See also Board Bios)
ZMP-US is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit all-volunteer US based organization that works as a sister organization to an all Zambian board located in Lusaka, Zambia (ZMP-Zambia). We raise funds in support of our sister board who is working to establish an Orphan Care Center that will provide support to orphans and vulnerable children in a rural community west of Lusaka in the Central Province of Zambia.
How did we get started?
In the summer of 2015, a young man named Sandwell Zgambo (Zē am bo) from Eastern Zambia came to Minden, Nebraska to serve an internship at the Minden Evangelical Free Church. The internship was part of his masters program at Moody Bible Seminary. During his time in Minden, he became good friends with several church members at Minden EFree. He shared with them his story of being orphaned at the age of 9 when his mother, who had been divorced and left with 3 young boys, died from HIV. He also shared with them the vision he had of returning to Zambia to start a gospel ministry to orphans in Zambia. Inspired by this vision, in Spring 2016, a small group of these friends formed a non-profit organization and named it Zambian Mission Project (ZMP-US). The founding purpose of this organization was to partner with Sandwell in starting a compassionate care ministry to orphans in Zambia. When he completed his degree and returned to Zambia, Sandwell and a group of his friends started a Zambian Mission Project-Zambia (ZMP-Zambia) that began to partner with ZMP-US to develop a vision of orphan care ministry and a plan to carry it out.
What is the need?
Zambia is a country in Southern Africa that has rich natural resources but significant poverty. In 2014 the average per capita income in Zambia was just over $4,000. This puts the country at the lower end of the low middle category of nations in the world. In other words, it is not among the very poorest countries, but just above the poorest. It has a population of about 16 million with about a million orphans many of those due to HIV deaths. Many of these children do not have access to education and vocational training and are at high risk of perpetuating the cycle of poverty.
What is our Vision?
ZMP (US and Zambia) desires to develop a new kind of compassionate care ministry for orphans and at-risk children in the Nangoma region of Central Zambia. This ministry will help to meet the immediate needs of food, clothing and school supplies. Also, we will also work to address the critical need for quality academic education and vocational training of these children. Our main departure from traditional orphanage care will be that residential care will only be provided by a parenting couple (mother and father) as needed for at-risk children. This will usually be provided on a temporary basis, limited to a healthy ratio of children to adults (~8:2 adjusted as needed). Most of our care and outreach will be to children in the local community. We believe that children who are mentored in the gospel and life skills will be able to grow into self-sufficient adults who can mentor children themselves as productive members of the community. We also believe that is the best way we can help children in Zambia break out of the cycle of poverty and dependency.
How do we plan to carry out this vision?
By establishing and developing a care center for orphans and at-risk children called the ZMP Community Care Center. The center will identify and reach out to at-risk children in the community. This center will develop sustainable conservation agriculture, livestock husbandry, and artisan craft making as a means of becoming a self-sustaining center through entrepreneurial enterprise. To develop the agriculture at the center, we will partner with Agrihope Inc. (agrihope.org), an organization with a proven track record of helping many African farmers develop their land into highly productive farms. The center will be organized and managed by ZMP-Zambia who will care for and provide training for children from the surrounding the area.
Currently we have accomplished the following steps toward developing this Center:
- We have begun regular outreach to and help for over forty at-risk and orphaned children.
- Purchased 17 acres of land about 1.5 hours west of Lusaka, Zambia in Nangoma region of Central Province.
- Installed a deep water well and water tower.
- Installed a fence completely around the border of the property.
- Hired on on-site manager for the facility and provided a house for him and his family.
- Built the first building that provides a meeting area for orphans and ZMP leaders who meet with them regularly. It also provides some living space.
- Installed irrigation for the corn crop.
- Established a chicken house and started raising chickens.
- Purchased a milling machine to make nshima, the staple food of many in Zambia. This is already providing food for children.
How You Can Partner With Us For Specific Projects
The following projects are in the order of importance for the Zambian Mission Project in Zambia to become self-supporting.
- Vehicle for Transportation ($30,000): A reliable vehicle is essential for transporting supplies and products to markets. It enhances safety, accessibility, and efficiency in daily operations.
- Oil Cold Pressing and Filtering Machine ($2,000): Investing in this machine will allow the orphanage to produce cooking oil for internal use and commercial sale. It is a low-cost, high-impact project that diversifies income streams.
- Fish Farming ($8,500): Establishing a tilapia fish farm will provide nutritious food for the children and generate income through surplus sales. It is a sustainable agricultural project that supports both health and financial stability.
- Layers Project ($30,000): Poultry farming for eggs will supply a steady source of protein for the children’s diet and create revenue from egg sales. This project promotes food security and income generation.
- Orphan House Project ($25,000): Building a dedicated orphan home will provide a safe, stable, and nurturing environment for children. This investment ensures proper shelter, security, and a sense of belonging.
- Daycare or Preschool Structures ($40,000): Establishing daycare and preschool facilities will generate income while integrating orphanage children into structured learning environments. This project supports early childhood education and community engagement.
Together, these projects offer a holistic approach to caring for children while building the orphanage’s financial independence. Your support will make a lasting impact on the lives of vulnerable children and the sustainability of the center.