Support Vulnerable Children in Monze, Zambia

It’s exam time at Pizz School in Monze and all the children are studying hard (we hope)! But it isn’t always easy to study when you have other household chores to do when you get home from school. Then when things go quiet and you have time to get your books out, it’s already too dark to read or write…

The light fades early evening every day in Zambia and it gets very dark. With no streetlamps and many homes without electricity, the children at Pizz school in Monze, struggle to study in the evenings. We’ve heard stories from children who have had near misses with candles, like falling asleep with the candle still burning. Solar lamps provide a safer alternative.

Last year we raised funds to purchase over 100 solar lamps for children in Zambia. Due to school closures and lockdowns, it took some time for our partners at Pizz School to purchase and distribute these. But thanks to your support, children like Matthew (pictured above) will be able to study in the evenings now. The reach of this support extends much further than one child though - many children study together and other family members in the household also benefit from the lamps.

Making it possible to study at home is another way that we can support children to reach their full potential.

If you would like to find out more about this initiative and how you can help, please contact jane@hatw.org.uk.

Thank you as always for your interest and support.

It was a delight and a relief when pupils were able to return to school after the first Covid 19 lockdown in Zambia as it had been a real challenge for staff and volunteers to keep in touch with all the children and continue to offer care and practical help. A feeding programme had been implemented to supply basic foodstuff to those children most at risk of malnutrition. Sadly, many pupils are HIV positive and receiving treatment, it was particularly important that these children maintained access to adequate nutrition and antiretroviral drugs. The school also aimed to keep in touch with those children thought to be most at risk of abuse and early pregnancy. Learning and good exam results are not the only advantages of school attendance.

It was therefore of great concern to learn that schools have once more been required to close following an increase in Covid cases and consequent worries about the overwhelming of medical facilities. However, as has been the case throughout the pandemic, staff and volunteers at the school remain available to encourage, guide and support, helping to keep the children safe and cared for wherever possible. HATW staff and volunteers have maintained contact with the school, sharing the load with the local Monze team. Behind these people are you, our donors and supporters who give generously to enable Pizz School to continue to offer hope and life chances to vulnerable children in Monze.