Our current work in Zambia

It’s been an incredibly busy time at DAFA as we support projects across Zambia to help those most in need. Here are some of our latest updates from our recent visit in July 2022:

St Dominic’s Hospital, Ndola

DAFA is funding the construction of a much-needed intensive care/post-operative ward at the expanding St Dominic’s Hospital near Ndola, Zambia’s third largest city which is located near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The roof going on at St Dominic’s new ward

An essential addition to the hospital, which caters for 75,000 patients annually, works on the ward are well advanced and it’s hoped that the new facilities will open in November 2022. Up until now there has been no dedicated recovery ward for patients needing post-operative care. The support from DAFA has ensured that a critical care ward, as well as male and female recovery wards, will soon be open for patients.

DAFA has previously funded the construction of significant residential facilities for medical staff working at the hospital.

St Luke’s Hospital, Chipata

We’re delighted to announce the official opening of St Luke’s Hospital in Chipata in eastern Zambia is scheduled for October 2022. We’re particularly proud of this project as all funds for the hospital’s construction and its equipment have been provided by DAFA. As one of Zambia’s poorest cities, Chipata is desperately in need of new medical services and the hospital promises to be one of DAFA’s most impactful projects in recent years.

Situated on a hill in a compound of 10,000 of the neediest inhabitants of Chipata, the hospital sits just a few kilometres from the border with Malawi, one of Africa’s poorest nations and as such is an essential lifeline for local people on both sides of the border.

St Luke’s will serve around 36,000 people, not including those travelling across the border from Malawi, and will provide primary care for those most in need.

Yengwe Combined Secondary School

We’re delighted to announce that we’re expanding our feeding programme at Yengwe Combined Secondary School near Ndola. This means that we will be able to feed lunch to all 1,600 pupils five days a week for the full school year. For many of these students, this may be their only guaranteed meal of the day. With research showing that hunger can impact a student’s ability to learn, we are very proud of this project which supports some of Zambia’s neediest children to continue their education.

A classroom at Yengwe Combined Secondary School

Older students assist with the feeding programme at Yengwe Combined Secondary School

St Edmund’s Secondary School, near Lusaka

St Edmund’s is a remote secondary school northwest of Zambia’s capital Lusaka where DAFA are constructing essential housing for teachers within the school compound. Due to the remote location, the school is currently understaffed and providing safe onsite housing is essential if its growing number of students are to receive the full benefits of their education.

Foundatiosn laid for the new resedentail blocks at St Edmund’s Secondary School

Currently 850 pupils attend the school which is far from the electrical grid and is powered by DAFA-funded solar panels. The school’s dynamic head is Elizabeth Moomba who has made the school near self sufficient with large vegetable plots, maize fields and chicken sheds. Her enthusiasm, insight and hard work reaching out to women and families in the region, passing on invaluable agricultural, home economics and hygiene skills and information has made the school the hub of the community.

The new teacher’s housing will be finished in October 2022, with further accommodation due for completion in March 2023. With such a strong local hub already in place, we are confident the new housing and availability of more teaching staff will provide a very positive impact in the local area.