History

In 1923 the territory of Northern Rhodesia (Zambia) was taken over by UK and during the next years it advanced in mining of copper and cobalt, which encouraged development and immigration. On 24 of October 1964 the country received its independence and changed its name to Republic of Zambia. The first president became Kenneth Kaunda, who was re- elected in 1968 and 1973. The main problems existing at that time were uniting the population of Zambia which had a diverse origin, and reducing the European control over the economy of the country. To do that, more
Zambians were trained to take higher working positions.

In the late 1960s, different opposition groups were protesting against the concentration of power in the hands of Kaunda. As a result, in 1972 most of the political parties were outlawed and Zambia became a one party state. During the 1980s and 1990s the country experienced a long drought and declining prices of the main resources copper and cobalt, which affected the economy in a negative way.

After 1993 the economical situation improved as a result of the relations and donations from international units, but Zambia continued to have th large international debts. By the end of the 20 century, the living standard in the country dropped drastically. The rates of inflation and unemployment went really high and the country was threatened by the infections of HIV/AIDS. In December 2001, a new president was elected, Levy Mwanawasa, who started an anti-corruption campaign in 2002 and brought to court the former president Chiluba, as well as many of his supporters.

Estimations from 2003 show that the number of people living with HIV/AIDS is 920 000, and the deaths caused by the disease count for 89 000. This number has increased during the years and nowadays almost one-fifth of the population is infected by HIV/AIDS. Another main problem the country has to cope with is the level of poverty among the population.
In 1991, 69.7% of the population was officially classified as being poor. By
1998 this number has grown to 73.2%.

Economy
In 1991, 69.7% of the people in Zambia were classified as living in poverty. By 1998, the number has grown to 73.2%. Since 1998 the unemployment rate has grown even more, especially in the capital Lusaka, which means that the poverty rate has reached even a higher level. Zambia has big amounts of copper and cobalt resources, which
could have made the country one of the richest in Africa. Unfortunately, those resources have been developed and used for the profit of important corporations and banks.

The population of Zambia has not experienced any benefit from the resources of the country. Basically, the whole economy of Zambia is based on exportation of copper. When the prices of the copper collapsed, the economy of the country was lead by the IMF and the World Bank. In 1999 the president of Zambia Chiluba privatised the
copper mines, which resulted in mass unemployment and caused strikes called by miners and workers. The strikes were brutally stopped by police and soldiers.

The unemployment in Zambia has grown from 14% to 30%, and the rates are especially high in the capital Lusaka. The unemployment has grown even in the copper belt, where it has risen from 17% to 25%. The majority of people in Zambia have an income that is almost a dollar per day. In order to reduce the death rate caused my AIDS, people need to receive anti-retroviral drugs and different kind of treatments. Countries like Zambia, with such a low income cannot afford even the basic treatments and drugs against the disease. People are too poor to buy them, which has a fatal impact on people’s health and lifestyle.

Health
Poverty and spread of HIV/AIDS are two of the main factors that affect people’s life in Zambia. HIV/AIDS has an influence on life expectancy, fertility rate, mortality rate, education, infant mortality rate, raising and development of children. Zambia has the lowest life expectancy in the world, which in 1990 was 44 years, and in 2000 was estimated to be 33 years. This is a result of the poverty and the spreading of HIV/AIDS. Since the average income in Zambia for a year is around $380, the majority of the population cannot afford to buy the anti-retroviral drugs they need for the disease. People cannot even afford a hospital treatment or an adequate diet. The fertility rate has also fallen compared to the fertility rate ten years ago. Women nowadays are bearing fewer children, which is a result of the higher rate of being exual abused by older men.

Statistics from 2000 show that in average, one in five people in Zambia lives with HIV and almost half of those people have developed AIDS. This means that 18 to 20% of the population (about 2 million Zambians) is HIV-positive. The number of the infected is higher in urban areas. Every day AIDS is killing 200 people, and as a result, around half a million children lose their parents and become orphans. This number is increasing and the predictions for 2010 show that the orphans will be as many as
one million. Even though the government is trying to implement different strategies that can help people receive free counselling and testing for HIV, as well as giving free AIDS treatment, the number of people being infected is still growing.

President Levy Mwanawasa denies that the rates of the infection have reached such a level. He made a statement in India that the infection rate was just 15% and soon it would be reduced down to 2%. The government is also claiming that there are affordable options for treatment, such as diets and providing access to clean water. Despite the efforts, there is much more that needs to be done in order to get the
disease under control and to improve the health conditions of the population.

A study performed by the World Bank shows that HIV/AIDS affects the quality of education in Zambia. Very often teachers are absent from the classes and in 60% of the cases the reason for their absence is the illness of the teachers or a member of their families. This in its turn has an impact on the level of learning at schools. Most of the parents on the other side are not able to give their children knowledge from school, either because they do not have time or because they lack skills. If the impact of
HIV/AIDS is not stabilized, the education in Zambia can be seriously affected. As a result, this can decrease the opportunity for children to receive an education. Less education on the other side leads to increasing the level of poverty in the country and fewer people will be able to receive an appropriate medical treatment. It is believed that the developed countries should help the financing and funding of the low-income countries through raising funds or cancelling debts. In this way, the countries will receive the opportunity to use their resources for the stabilization and improvement of the learning institutions.

Salvation Army in Zambia Territory
In 1992 emigrants from the villages on the north bank of the Zambezi River working in mica mine near Urungwe were converted. They carried home the message of salvation to their chief, and established meeting places in their villages. Two years later, Commandant Kunzwi Shava and Lieutenant Paul Shumba were appointed to command the new opening. The Zambia Division in the Rhodesia Territory became the Zambia
Command in 1966. In 1988, the Malawi Division was transferred from the Zimbabwe Territory to form the new Zambia and Malawi Territory. The Zambia and Malawi Territory became the Zambia Territory on 1 October 2002 when Malawi became and independent region.

The Salvation Army has given a high priority to trainings and seminars, which turned out to be very successful. Women’s Ministries in Zambia have also focused on trainings through divisional and district seinars. Such events include open and frank discussion on the important moral, social and religious issues facing the nation of Zambia.
Evangelism is also high on the priority list. In the eastern province, ten years ago, there were not any corps, and during the last years several corps have been established at Nyimba, Petauke and Katete. Another important issue is development. Three mission teams have visited the territory during the last year.

The Personal Department’s Medical Service brought a team of highly qualified nurses to work in Chikankata Hospital and to teach in the Nurses’ Training School. They also made a significant donation to the work. Another team from Visby Corps, in the Sweden and Latvian Territory, made two visitations, which purpose was to understand better the respective cultures. The Zeal and Mission Team from the Canada and Bermuda Territory made its second visit to Zambia and engaged effectively in a wide variety of activities, from evangelism to building.

Ministries of Youth have a high priority in Zambia. The Territory gives God the glory for continued quality growth in Zambia.

(From “The Salvation Army Year Book")

Chikankata mission
Chikankata mission is aiming to provide help for people and to meet their physical, social, spiritual, economic and psychological needs. Since these needs are growing everyday, the only way people can be helped is by working together and involving individuals, families, communities, government institutions and organisations. Some of the work in Chikankata includes the following issues:

*Taking care for all the sick people
*Assisting and supporting the orphans
*Providing counselling and prevention
*Integration with a broader community development work, Working together with governments and community groups

*Serving the local community
*Work concerning not only health issues but also general development questions
*The church is encouraged to take a servant role in the community

Chikankata Hospital
Chikankata Hospital is a 150-bed general hospital with training schools for nurses, midwives and laboratory assistants. The hospital includes also a rehabilitation centre, and in addition, there are five rural health centres. A mobile community health team operates in the surrounding areas. The hospital is initiating different health programs. There is an associated leprosy control program, and since 1987, an AIDS care, prevention and control program has been developed. Another program, a four phase
nutrition program is also conducted.

Through sponsors like the Salvation Army and UNICEF, Chikankata hospital is able to response to the AIDS pandemic through the community. The hospital started its first life skills workshop for children who had become orphans because of the sickness. Different lessons included variety of important topics, such as teenage sexuality, children’s rights and child abuse. The goal of the program is to develop and increase the community’s responsibility and protection of the orphans. It aims also to support the orphans by teaching them income-generating skills and basic agriculture.

The Salvation Army Humanitarian Aid Västeras
In 2005, the Salvation Army in Västeras sent to the Chikankata hospital an ambulance with a container full of medical equipment, including wheelchairs and walking frames. A truck was also sent and has been received with a huge gratefulness. The truck is going to be used for the mobile clinics, which will give the possibility to reach many areas even during the rain season. Because of the rains, it was not possible before to reach some of the areas and to provide help to the people. The truck will be used for the Mother and Child mobile clinic, as well as for the HIV/AIDS mobile clinic. Tents have also been provided and received by the Community Health and Development Team with a great delight. The tents arrived in Zambia just on time to be provided to some people in need.

The equipment is going to be put to good use and is going to make a huge difference for the hospital and for the people. Due to the help provided, the hospital is now a better place and has the possibility to provide a much higher standard of care.

The president of Zambia, Levy Mwanawasa visited the Salvation Army’s Chikankata Mission and was welcomed by the Zambian Salvation Army headquarters personnel, as well as by the health service personnel, student nurses and students from the high school. The president was informed about the programs initiated by the Army, and was also met with the needs of the hospital, the school and the centre. Mr Mwanawasa was impressed by the work of the Army and how the mission has grown and developed so much. The challenges facing the centre include:

• replacing the donated computer equipment
• rebuilding the student nurses’ home and staff house
• rebuilding the girls’ dormitory

The president was shown the Chikankata Hospital, where he donated two million Kwacha to two new born babies. After visiting the high school, he became impressed with the work of the Salvation Army, and donated two million Kwacha to the school.

Women’s Ministries in Zambia
Women’s Ministries in Zambia are engaged actively in variety of projects, such as development through training courses, which include computer training and driving education. Other projects are established in order to support people in need by bringing up chicken and farming cotton and groundnuts.

The members involved in the Women’s Ministries are often engaged in home isitation, as well as visiting sick and poor people in homes and hospitals. The women in the ministries are also involved in taking care of orphans, widows, victims of AIDS/HIV and their families. Since the disease has taken many people’s lives, a great care is needed for those who stay alone and need to cope with the loss. Especially increasing is the number of children losing their parents and needing a special care to manage with the trauma and all the consequences on their lives and well-being.

There is a large number of orphans in Zambia due to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Money is raised in order to send the children to school and provide them with clothes and food. One of the Home Leagues in Zambia has planted a vegetable garden, with the purpose of selling the production of the garden and using the money for the needs of the orphans in this area.

Youth Ambassadors’ Initiative
People in Africa face a lot of difficulties in their life as a result of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, the poverty and the political instability in the country. The Salvation Army is aware of the possibility that young people have to change their life and to make difference in their society. The Salvation Army is aiming to encourage the youths to see the chance they have to raise hope among people who have lost it, and to use all the
opportunities to reveal the love and power of God.

Because of the passion for and the faith in young people the Salvation Army has, a Youth Ambassadors’ Initiative has been established. The idea and concept was first started in Zimbabwe in 2002, as a result of a small group meeting held at Masiye Training Camp. The idea was presented for the Salvation Army African Leaders’ Consultation on HIV/AIDS in May, and it was accepted and encouraged for further development. Through the Youth Ambassadors’ Initiative, young people are able to share their experiences and skills with ach other, as well as discussing relevant
issues and important problems, which the major part of Africa is facing with.

The first Youth Ambassadors’ Team included two men and a woman, representing Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa, who have been travelling across Africa, sharing different issues and problems. Attention has been given to such topics as supervision and accountability, team life, community counselling approaches, reporting and documentation. During this period, the participants shared their vision and ideas, and experienced a spiritual impact. One of the issues the teams were involved with was to
encourage and give advice to schools about how to speak about HIV/AIDS. They spent time with a widows’ group and a kids club, as well as helping programs for building a house for the orphans.

The Youth Ambassadors’ Initiative has had a great success in Africa, which gives the program a great possibility for expanding all around the world. Since the potential of the young people who take part in it is really great, the potential of the program itself is also enormous.

Junior Home League in Zambia
The Junior Home League has a high priority in Zambia. The purpose of this initiative is to help girls by giving them the possibility to grow and develop Christian values and standards. The Junior Home League is aiming to give the girls a good foundation and support in growing in the Christian faith.

Statistics show that there are more cases of misbehaviour, unwanted children and fast marriages at places where the Junior Home League does not exist, which shows the need for this initiative.

Through organizing meetings every week, the Junior Home League is aiming to provide the young girls with both practical and spiritual benefits. In order to teach the girls in an easier for them way, different dramatic presentations are performed, which attract their attention and interest.

Many lectures are also given, which discuss a wide variety of relevant issues and important subjects. The girls learn about personal hygiene, housekeeping and hospitality skills, how to grow plants and vegetables, as well as the importance of visiting and taking care of the sick people and people in need. The girls receive the opportunity to learn how to sew and how to make other different crafts through which they can earn some money for the helping-hand scheme. The teaching that the girls receive at the Junior Home League has a very important impact for their lives. Many
of the girls are or become orphans, and they should take care of their siblings. Because of that, the skills they obtain from the meetings are of a great help for them.

The Bible says: “Train a child in a way he should go, and when he is old,
he will not turn from it”, Proverbs 22:6. Praise the God that the number of
Junior Home Leagues is growing!
(Information used from an article by Vince Chigariro)

  Zambia National Facilitation Team
In the capital city of Zambia (Lusaka), where the population is about 2
million people, there are over 300 000 deaths per year as a result of
AIDS. The loss of people has a negative impact on their families and
causes also loss of community memory, which includes not valuing the
past, not celebrating the present and loss of hope for the future. What is
needed for people to grow and develop in such a situation is care, respect,
and capacity for change. This on the other side can be achieved by
participation, relationships, understanding, mutual learning and response.
In other words, a good community involvement is required.

National Facilitation Team
The work with people infected with AIDS, as well as the work with their families and close people shows that something more than just the usual public health is needed. There is a main focus on technology and access to ndrugs, rather than a focus on giving scope for human capacity for care, change, better relationships and development.

Based on this need, the National Facilitation Team has been established as a tool for achieving and stimulating an active partnership of communities. The team is an
approach, a function and a way of working. It is a team of people who meet together and who combine their abilities to work together. The National Facilitation Team is an expression of Human Capacity Development, which responses to people’s needs in terms of relationship, culture, community, and thereby based on the resources that already exist.

Purpose and vision
The purpose of the team is to establish and stimulate local responses, and to encourage different organizations to connect in order to response to the needs of the community. The team aims encourage community responses and to facilitate knowledge transfer between the communities. The core element of the vision is care, which is not based on provision but mainly on participation with the situation of suffering. This can be achieved by belonging and establishing positive relationships, by support and servanthood, by hope and relationship with God.

Way of working
The team responds to invitations from different districts and local communities. The work involves facilitation and participation approaches, such as home visits, community discussions, clarification of concerns and resource mapping. The impact of HIV/AIDS in people’s lives is enormous and leads to many problems, which do not finish when the person infected by AIDS goes to a clinic and receives a treatment. These people have
those problems all the time because they have to live with the epidemic. That is the reason why something more than just a medical care is needed.

There is a need to establish an experience and connection with those people and to provide an ongoing conversation about the loss and the hope for the future. It is no longer a question of technology or drugs; it is a matter of faith and spiritual situation where people can find God.

Teams need to work in an integrated way by responding to local situation with information, care, counselling, clinical care, equipping and training of local people. There are group meetings where intimate and interesting for the group issues are discussed. Such issues are relevant for all the people since they have the same problems and experience the same situation.

Hospital, clinics and churches have also an important role. There is a need that people working in these institutions show more concern, care and involvement, not only within but also outside their work. The National Facilitation Team meets each month to discuss, think and plan together. After each visit, the team discuss what has been learned and what can be improved.


Pictures from Zambia!