Keep Us Warm-Over 500 Children.

UP Zambia conducted Christmas outreach activities across Zambia from December 2025 to January 2026, as part of its continued commitment to supporting children in conflict with the law.

During this period UP Zambia visited several correctional and rehabilitation facilities to celebrate the festive season with children in detention. Through these visits, approximately 450 children received support, care, and a strong message that they are remembered and valued during the festive season.

The Christmas outreach programme was made possible through the generous support of corporate partners, individual donors, and well-wishers. In total, K93,788.70 was raised to support the programme. These contributions enabled UP Zambia to provide essential items including soap, lotion, Vaseline, washing soap, face cloths, T-shirts, hoodies, toothbrushes, toothpaste, toilet paper, as well as meals and refreshments. The support also created opportunities for meaningful engagement with the children.

Facilities visted this season:

• Lusaka Remand Facility: At Lusaka Remand Facility, the children enjoyed a live performance by Barefeet Theatre, creating a vibrant and uplifting atmosphere. The interactive dance sessions and engagement between the children, UP Zambia team, and partners fostered joy, laughter, and a sense of normalcy during the festive season.
• Livingstone Central Prison, Nakambala Approved School & Katambora Reformatory School: At Nakambala Approved School and Katombora Reformatory School, the outreach focused on one-on-one interaction and emotional support. The team spent time encouraging the children and engaging them in moments of reflection. At Katombora, management commended UP Zambia for its consistent commitment and continued support to children even after release, highlighting the importance of such initiatives in the rehabilitation and reintegration process.
• Mwembeshi Remand Facility: At Mwembeshi Remand Facility, UP Zambia, together with Stanbic Bank and Kingdom City Church, joined foreign children from Ethiopia and Burundi to celebrate Ethiopian Christmas. The celebration featured traditional music, dancing, and cultural expression, offering comfort and a sense of belonging to children far from home.
• Kansenshi Correctional Facility & Kamfinsa Correctional Facility: At Kamfinsa Correctional Facility, the children took centre stage through performances that included plays addressing the dangers of drug abuse and poems focused on love, faith, and hope. The event concluded with reflections, motivational talks, and a prayer led by one of the children, making the experience deeply meaningful and memorable. At Kansenshi Correctional Facility, the team conducted a successful drop-off of essential items in support of the facility’s needs.

Across all facilities, the children expressed overwhelming gratitude and joy, sharing how meaningful it was to be remembered during the festive season. Many appreciated the visits, particularly those with limited contact with family members. Facility administrations also acknowledged the initiative, noting its positive impact on the children’s morale, emotional well-being, and the overall rehabilitative environment.

Thank you for your support to continue this special tradition that impacts and brings hope to so many!

Thanks for your support in our previous campaigns, children in correctional facilities have not walked through the year alone. Your generosity has brought dignity, and emotional support to hundreds of teens in correctional facilities across Lusaka and Southern Province. You have shown them that even in difficult places, compassion can still find its way.

This festive season, we invite you to partner with us once more as we launch our Operation Christmas Box Campaign, reaching over 500 children in correctional facilities. This year marks a significant step forward: we are expanding our outreach to Eastern and Muchinga Provinces, ensuring that even more children are supported by your generosity.  

Your support reminds these teens in correctional facilities that they matter, that they are seen, and that someone still cares. Your act of kindness can turn their lonely Christmas into one filled with hope.

With your support we will be able to provide a Christmas box with: Bath soap, Tissue, Face cloths, T-shirts, Toothbrushes, Toothpaste, Socks, Slippers, Board games, Pens, Exercise books, Food and Drinks.

Thank you for your support, we look forward in partnering in this Operation Christmas Box Campaign.