About us
Project Zambia is a registered charity and has had a group based in Cassidy’s Bar since 2004. A group of local people were inspired by the charitable work which St Mary’s CBGS carried out during the few years prior to this. Since then, each summer, an adult group of volunteers has fund-raised and travelled to Zambia with the aim of affecting positive change and building relationships with host communities. We have grown considerably and gained much local support. Today, we continue to fulfil the aims of the original group but we now operate on a larger scale; currently supporting seven communities. There have been many great achievements and challenges in this time. It is a testament to our volunteers that after all this time; we are still successfully supporting the communities who we are committed to.
The Christian Brothers, whose founder is Edmund Rice, have had an established presence in Zambia for many decades. They were kind enough to allow us to make use of their local knowledge and organised initial introductions; particularly Br Mc Court and Br Kearney. They highlighted areas which were in great need of support and introduced Project Zambia to trusted associates who we continue to work with to this day. The Christian Brothers and the wider Edmund Rice Network (ERN) continue to be a great support to Project Zambia.
Zambia is a sub-Saharan country which is extremely poor. Poverty affects every aspect of life. The average life expectancy is only 48 years old. Many people live in sub-standard accommodation; effectively slum conditions. School can be too expensive for families and diets can be very poor. The country has high rate of HIV/ AIDS and as a result, a high proportion of the child population is orphaned. Therefore grand-parent led households and child-led households are common.
Despite the difficult circumstances, Project Zambia has affected positive progress with impoverished communities. This is only possible with the support of the communities and trusted associates who represent them.