GHR Foundation envisions a world where all children—especially those at risk of losing or without parental care—are living in a stable, positive, long-term family or family-like environment. Members of the GHR staff, board and committees recently visited Zambia to meet with grantee partners and the children and families they serve, as well as community representatives, government representatives and Catholic sisters working with vulnerable children. Over the course of five days, visitors witnessed the work of our partners and participated in the important conversations being had in Zambia. The visit allowed GHR to deepen our engagement in the region, strengthen our reputation and offer personal support to those working to change the lives of families and vulnerable children.

The first day was spent visiting families and children in Kabwe with Catholic Medical Mission Board and engaging a circle of mothers who have formed a savings group. Each member contributes 50 cents per week to provide emergency grants and small business loans for members. These efforts help families meet basic needs and keep their children at home. The following morning was spent supporting families with community volunteers in the suburbs of Lusaka, followed by an emotional meeting with two families who have been reunited with their children.

GHR staff, board and committee members also had the opportunity to visit two foster families in the process of finalizing the adoption of children placed in their care. Both families are becoming strong advocates for adoption, and advocate for other parents to foster or adopt. Participants also spent time with the GHR working group, a cohort of grantees with aligned programming which highlighted a clear, strong commitment to collaborative processes and hope for significant progress on the national stage. GHR's investment in partnership is showing returns in this group, which has promise as a model for other grantees as they coordinate their efforts to develop a culture of trust and transparent communication. 
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The site visit to Zambia demonstrated great momentum around the critical issue of children living outside of family care, and we are excited by the possibilities for progress in the country. The aspirations and commitment of those driving change on the ground was clear. To learn more about how GHR's Children in Families funding supports child protection interventions that strengthen families, respond to children without family care and drive further evidence of innovative, pro-family approaches, contact us.

GHR Foundation's Children in Families funding is currently supporting child protection interventions in Zambia, a country with an estimated 8,000 children living in 190 institutions. Program staff recently participated in a Zambia National Consultation facilitated by our partners and attended by more than 40 representatives of the Zambian government and other stakeholders in the welfare of children outside of family care.

The three-day consultation drew constructive engagement and discussion from everyone present, and concluded with the issuing of a call for action by the Ministry of Community Development and Social Welfare, titled “Accelerating Child Care Reform in Zambia.” The document encourages other ministries, cooperating partners, civil society and other stakeholders to support actions including the establishment of a national technical working group on child care reform, the development of a national alternative care framework and the undertaking of research and evidence building.
 
Other takeaways include the focus on supporting children with disabilities, which was well-addressed by the government and the call for action, and the necessity of strengthening the social welfare workforce by improving training and accreditation. In the country of more than 14 million people, there are only 274 social welfare officers—actors key to our work. The next step after the consultation will be the formation of a technical working group on alternative care. This group will incorporate expertise from the current group of GHR partners and broaden participation to a larger number of stakeholders in Zambia.
 
To learn more about how GHR is working toward a world where all children are living in a stable, positive, long-term family or family-like environment, contact us.

GHR’s Children in Families Initiative is focused on supporting child protection interventions that strengthen families and respond to children without family care. Recently, GHR staff spent time working with partners in Zambia. Updates from the field include:

• Research. GHR partner Better Care Network presented preliminary findings to the working group on living situations of vulnerable children in Zambia. The research found that 17 percent of Zambian children do not live with parents, though for a majority of these children, both parents are living.
• Results. Bethany Christian Services, a GHR demonstration grantee in Zambia, has recruited 85 potential foster or adoptive families. Many of these families have completed assessments and several children have been placed in foster care.
• Connections. GHR’s Children in Families and Sister Support staff spent time in Zambia and Uganda exploring potential connections between initiatives. Program staff are exploring ways to equip sisters with the skills necessary to navigate the movement towards family care.
  

We are pleased to collaborate with organizations around the world to achieve the objectives of our Children in Families Initiative as we work to realize a more promising future for all children. To learn more about GHR’s approach to supporting children and families, contact us.

GHR’s Children in Families Initiative funds child protection interventions that strengthen families, deinstitutionalize children and build evidence for innovative approaches. GHR’s aim is to develop a proof of concept model that engages pro-family initiatives at all levels – from government to grassroots – and builds upon global best practices.

One current geographic focus country is Zambia where 1.2 million children under the age of 15 have lost one or both parents. GHR is launching a collaborative effort with multiple Zambian partners to strengthen families and protect children throughout the country.

GHR’s approach has already demonstrated significant progress. GHR Children in Families staff recently convened a meeting in partnership with local government and NGOs to share resources and discuss a national child welfare plan. The results included: 

• Valuable collaboration between government, local non-profits and international experts
  
• Leadership from government and shared investment by UNICEF Zambia 
  
• Shared resources from global alliance partners Better Care Network and Family for Every Child
  

To hear more about this remarkable convening, view this brief interview with UNICEF Zambia Child Protection Specialist David Lamin. If you are interested in collaborating to strengthen families and increase stability for children in Zambia, contact us today.