Cam’s Orphanage is based in Mkushi, a remote rural town 5 hour’s drive north of the capital Lusaka. Here, 75% of children under the age of five have stunted growth, making it the fourth worst town in Zambia (World Bank 2021).
There is free basic healthcare system for all, but complex illnesses, operations and emergency treatment has to be paid for. HIV drug treatment is free.
Living Conditions at the Orphanage
Beds are bunk beds and will need to be upgraded as the children grow. There are currently two children’s bedrooms, one bedroom for the Mama, a kitchen, dining room, sitting room, two toilets and two showers.
In Zambia 48% of the population are unable to meet their minimum calorie requirements.
Through good diet we can overcome the problem of malnutrition. With added medical check-ups and a vaccination program we should be able to ensure that the children are protected against most diseases in Zambia.
Additional problems can be burns due to cooking on open fires and a general lower standard of health and safety than we are used to. Snake bites are also a possibility so access to a clinic with anti-venom will be needed.
We plan to build an extension in 2023 to add an extra bedroom and then build a new building in 2024 to have further bedrooms as the children get older.
Currently there is a small garden, we plan to extend this during 2023/4 to allow for chickens and growing more vegetables.