Caring For Children

I am a 1971 graduate of Burge School of Nursing in Springfield, MO. I received my BSN from Southwest Missouri State University in 1981. My experiences are varied ranging from community health to critical care. I have 30 years of nursing experience.

In 1996 I traveled to Belarus, one of the former Soviet Union countries. I spent three weeks there on a medical mission. I thought I could do my good works and then return to life in the USA, as I knew it. Little did I know that my life would be changed forever.

From that time forward, no matter what I did, I felt a lot of unrest and dissatisfaction. In 1999, I contacted the International Mission Board and said, “I am a nurse, can you use me?” Within six months I arrived in Zambia, Africa, a country unknown to me. I spent one year in the bush of Zambia, working as a nurse, doing healthcare, teaching and working in makeshift clinics. During this time, I developed a great love for the people of Zambia. I also became very aware of the plight of the orphans in Zambia. Fifty percent of the population is under the age of 15, with 50 percent of those being orphans. One in three people is HIV positive and the life expectancy is 30 years of age. Amazingly enough there have been some informal studies done to indicate that if an HIV positive infant is given proper nutrition, good health care and a loving environment that 80 percent of those will convert to negative by 18 months of age. AMAZING! What an opportunity we have to make a difference, if only one life at a time.

Being aware of these statistics, Zambia was never far from my mind after returning to the states. I felt a true calling to assist in the plight of the orphans. Realizing it was not something I could do alone, I formed a non-profit organization called “Caring for Children”. The sole purpose of this organization is to raise funding by individual donations, grants or corporate sponsorship to assist in the crisis facing Zambia. After a lot of paperwork and a lot of letter writing, “Caring for Children” became a reality. In August of 2001, I traveled to Zambia to begin the formalities necessary to begin work there. In 2002, I spent three months in Zambia again laying groundwork. In December of 2002, I arrived in Zambia with plans of staying at least five years. I am currently working with an orphanage in Ndola, where we have 25 babies (all dumped babies, with no parents, and some are HIV positive). “Caring for Children” is providing full support for this orphanage. I am also working with a project in Kitwe, Zambia. We are building housing for 240 orphans, ranging from ages of 5-18. We will provide housing, emotional and spiritual counseling, education and medical care throughout their time with us. We have a school, grades 1-6, with plans to expand to further grades. Currently enrolled are 450 students (half are orphans). Those who can pay, pay a fee of 50,000 Kwacha per term (equivalent to 10 USD). The orphans are provided education at no charge. Their school uniforms are also provided at no charge.

As you can imagine, this is all a huge task. We are constantly searching for ways to generate sustainable income. Currently we have set up a tailoring class. Students pay a small fee for one year of tailoring instruction. We are also in the process of establishing a bakery that will be an excellent income-generating project. Of course these projects require some funding up front to begin. A few of our current needs are listed below:
· Feeding Program – to feed 125 orphans a nutritional meal three times a week costs $250 per month.
· Medicine – We need about $50 per month to provide antibiotics, vitamins, etc., to the orphans in our school
· School fees and uniforms - $15 per term
· Wall & Security Fence - $10,000 to complete.
· Housing for the Children - $20,000 to complete one section.
· Proper chairs and desks for the students in the school - $5000.

Many days, just as in the USA, are subject to constant interruptions such as a sick child requiring medication or time spent teaching the parents or caretakers. There are also many other problems that require immediate attention. Some days it is tempting to say, “I quit, I am only one person what difference can I make,” but then a child comes to thank you for the medicine you gave them that makes them feel so much better. Or, you see the children eating, as a part of the feeding program, knowing that it will probably be the only nutritional meal they may have for 2-3 days. Any small sacrifice on my part is negated by the knowledge that I have made a difference in the lives of these children.

For more information about this project contact me at voonthego@zamnet.zm. Tax-deductible monetary contributions are always welcome! Building or medical teams willing to travel to Zambia are also needed please contact me if you would be interested in coming. Contributions may be sent to “Caring for Children” P.O. Box 1542, Ava, MO 65608. If you would like to be placed on our mailing or e-mail list send your mailing/email address to voonthego@zamnet.zm or lstafford@getgoin.net


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