UP Zambia:Free Legal & Social Support for Children

Thank you for the support you have shown to Undikumbukire Project Zambia (UP Zambia) during the first quarter of 2025. Your generous financial contributions and continued partnership have made a tangible difference in the lives of children in conflict with the law.

Thanks to your support, 276 children received legal services in Lusaka Remand Correctional Facilities and police stations. These efforts would not have been possible without your belief in our mission and your commitment to justice for every child.

In Q1, UP Zambia provided legal services at the Lusaka Remand Correctional Facility and six police stations across Lusaka. Our team worked tirelessly to:

• Trace and reconnect children with their families ready for trial,
• Divert eligible cases away from the formal court system,
• Conduct educational sessions on children's rights, conflict resolution, substance abuse, and anti-violence initiatives to better prepare them for reintegration into their communities.

Here’s what your support helped us achieve:

• 244 children aged 15–18 accessed legal help through our help desks,
• 32 children aged 13–18 were successfully diverted from the criminal justice system (Diversion refers to directing children away from the formal court system. Its main benefit is that it offers children a second chance while protecting them from the harmful impacts of the justice system).

Quarter Highlight:
One of the most powerful stories this quarter is that of a 17-year-old boy charged with trafficking narcotic and psychotropic substances. Arrested alongside an adult, he was identified and assisted through our legal help desk at Lusaka Remand Correctional Facility. Represented by our Staff Attorneys, his case was heard in the Children’s Court during the concluded Children’s Criminal Session. On February 24, 2025, he was acquitted and released after spending more than two months in custody.

Today, he has the chance to rebuild his life and that second chance was made possible because of you.

At UP Zambia, we remain deeply committed to ensuring that every child receives fair representation and the opportunity to thrive. Your continued support is the foundation of this work, and we are truly grateful.

Overview
In 2024, Undikumbukire Project Zambia (UP Zambia) advanced its mission to support children in conflict with the law through free legal and social services. By providing vital aid to both children and adults, UP Zambia contributed significantly to improving access to justice, reducing detention times, and protecting children's rights in Zambia.

Key Achievements

In this reporting period, UP Zambia provided legal aid services to 489 Individuals (100 children, 389 adults) while at court, in the community, and through the legal help desks. 4 Children were legally represented by UP Zambia's staff attorneys and were successfully reintegrated back into their communities and families. 

Looking back to the year in review, UP Zambia provided free legal aid services to 572 children while 59 children were legally represented. 1419 adults were given legal advice through the established legal help desks in the facilities.

Through these strategic inteventions, the child justice system saw a 60% reduction in detention periods for children, ensuring timely resolutions and minimizing the harm of prolonged detention.

On the other hand, UP Zambia also engaged in community sensitization and awareness campaigns where 432 Individuals were reached through sensitization campaigns, empowering communities with knowledge of legal rights and processes.

 It was also encouraging and hope strengthening to see so many stories of impact and hope for children in the system. Some notable stories of impact were: 

1. Securing Freedom and Reuniting Families
   A young man, detained at 16 and accused of a serious offense, maintained his innocence throughout his four-year detention. In collaboration with the Legal Aid Board, UP Zambia secured constitutional bail, and he was reunited with his family. He celebrated his 20th birthday at home just one week after his release.
2. Advocating for Age Accuracy
   An 18-year-old girl was wrongly charged as an adult due to a police error in recording her age. UP Zambia successfully applied for an age determination examination under the Children’s Code Act. The court ruled in favor of the child, setting a significant legal precedent that medical assessments should prioritize the child’s best interests. The case continues in the children's court, ensuring her rights are safeguarded.

 Conclusion

As we reflect on 2024, we are proud of the strides we have made in restoring justice and protecting the rights of children in Zambia. Through your generous support, we have not only provided legal aid to hundreds of children but also advocated for systemic changes that will leave a lasting impact on our justice system. Together, we have reduced detention periods, reunited families, and given children the chance to grow and thrive with dignity and hope.

It is for this reason that we extend our heartfelt thanks to you our esteemed supporters for standing with us in this mission. Your contributions have been the lifeline for children who might otherwise have faced injustice alone. Yet, the need remains great, and the challenges ahead require even greater resolve.

As we enter 2025, we humbly invite you to continue walking this journey with us. Your generosity can enable us to reach even more children, advocate for broader systemic reforms, and ensure that every child in Zambia has access to justice and the opportunity to fulfill their potential.

May 2025 bring you joy, prosperity, and fulfillment. From all of us at UP Zambia, we wish you and your loved ones a Happy New Year filled with peace and hope. Together, let’s make 2025 a year of even greater impact and shared achievements!