HEARTS EMBRACED AROUND THE WORLD
Welcome to Zambia, the 5th poorest country in the world. This is a country located in the southern part of Africa without access to the sea. The unemployment rate is greater than 50% and 83% of the population lives below the poverty line on less than $1.00 a day. Zambia has been hard hit by HIV/AIDS. Greater than 21% of its population is infected with the virus and as a result the average lifespan is only 33 years old. An entire generation of people is being decimated leaving behind over 800,000+ orphans. The country is also suffering from drought conditions. It is dry, the soil is no longer fertile and there are water and electricity shortages.
The country's infrastructure is poor and petrol prices are among the highest in Africa which makes transportation unaffordable, burdening the poor and limiting the people's movement.
In rural Zambia, people survive by farming. Their lives are simple, but surviving is nearly impossible. Crop shortages, rampant disease, limited health care services and every other impediment to comfort make life unbearable. Without electricity nothing is mechanized and so lives are "hand made". Simple huts are scattered around the countryside. They are made from soil and grass. Termites feast on these structures so they are in constant need of repair. These huts have no electricity or running water. With global warming, deforestation, and an increasing population, the country's water supply is becoming quickly inadequate to meet the people's needs.The childrens playgrounds are the earth's ground. The local schools won't allow the children to attend due to a lack of shoes and uniforms.Children embrace life itself by finding joy and happiness in every moment of their day. They share it with others through a simple smile or hug. Their joy reminds all of us how lucky we are to be alive and loved. They say that you can see a person's soul through their eyes. Children are transparent. You can see every thing, every where, every time. What are they saying to you?
The children want so much to learn and to know and understand the world around them. Isolated in rural areas they know little about the outside world, but they do know the only way into it is by reading, writing and thinking thoughts that are bigger than big!
Children sit on rocks and hold their notebooks on their knees, though they still have the enthusiasm to learn!
They say not to judge someone until you walk in their shoes. Can you imagine the journey this child has walked? Such a child would never be too heavy to carry.
Grandmother's hold their heads up high, with dignity, strength and honor, they ask for nothing and complain about nothing. Have you ever had the desire or even the thought, "how can I help or be of service to those less fortunate"? Now you have the opportunity to open the window of unlimited possibilities for the children. Can you tap into the LOVE in your heart and give with JOY, knowing that "I AM making a huge difference in this world"?
The greatest gift we can offer another is LOVE. It is through LOVE that I ask for your help.
Malaria deaths decline by 66% in Zambia
23 APRIL 2009 | GENEVA/BRAZZAVILLE
-- Malaria deaths reported from health facilities in Zambia have
declined by 66%. This result along with other supporting data indicates
that Zambia has reached the 2010 Roll Back Malaria target of a more
than 50% reduction in malaria mortality compared to 2000. On World
Malaria Day, celebrated on 25 April, Zambia's efforts will be promoted
as a model for other countries to follow. Rwanda, United Republic of
Tanzania, and Sao Tome and Principe are the other African countries who
have achieved major reductions in malaria mortality through accelerated
malaria control activities. READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE!!