CCAP Community Schools in Zambia - June 2020 Update

The CCAP Synod of Zambia is proud of its Community Schools Initiative, and rightly so. Because of the large number of vulnerable and orphaned children in Zambia, there is a critical need for them to access early learning opportunities in order to break the cycle of poverty in their lives.

The synod initially opened daycare centers with feeding programs in 2001 to serve poor communities. In 2004 these daycare centers were transformed into community schools. The community schools educate children who would not have access to school due to financial constraints. The synod now operates 40 community schools nationally, linked with CCAP congregations, that serve more than 6,000 vulnerable children. As the number of schools increased, the synod created a Department for Early Childhood Education and Community Schools.

On March 20th of this year, the government of Zambia mandated that all schools should close to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Not only have the children been affected by the loss of learning opportunity, but the teachers are also struggling to feed their families as their small government stipends also stopped. Some of the teachers may source jobs elsewhere, jeopardizing the instruction at the schools when they reopen.

In May the department began to distribute essential food to families at four community schools within Lusaka. The plan is to continue to purchase and distribute food to the neediest families during the COVID pandemic.

It has been a privilege for The Outreach Foundation to assist the synod’s efforts to educate its most vulnerable children. The schools require funds to supplement teachers’ stipends, provide teaching materials, and purchase and distribute food to vulnerable families.

Thank You, Frank Dimmock
Africa Mission Specialist, The Outreach Foundation

Read more about CCAP Community Schools in Zambia HERE.

THE NEED
The Outreach Foundation is seeking to raise $10,000 for CCAP Community Schools in Zambia. You may make a gift HERE or by sending a check to our office.