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.
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.