Capital: Lusaka
Area: 752,614 km²
Population: 9.9 million (December 2000 est.)
Ethnic groups: 70 different ethnic groups speaking a Bantu language, among them the Bemba (34%), the Lozi and the Tonga
Official language(s): English
Religion(s): 2/3 Christians, 20% traditional indigenous religions, minorities of Muslims and Hindus
Currency: 1 Zambian kwacha = 100 ngwee
SOS Children's Villages' activities in the country
After many years of effort it was finally possible to sign an agreement about the establishment of an SOS Children's Village with the Zambian government on 16 July 1996. Only a few months later, the national SOS Children's Village Association "SOS Zambia Trust" was founded. In order to realize the planned project, the government provided a plot of land in Lusaka, about six kilometres from the city centre. In September 1998, the foundation stone was officially laid in the presence of the Minister of Youth, Sports and Children's Affairs and several members of the government.
During the first building phase an SOS Children's Village and an SOS Kindergarten for children from impoverished families in the neighbourhood were established. During the construction period SOS mothers and the village director were trained at the SOS Children's Village facilities in Zimbabwe. In September 1999, the first children were able to move into their new home. In subsequent years an SOS Hermann Gmeiner Primary School, an SOS Social Centre, an SOS Medical Centre and an SOS Youth Facility were added to the SOS Children's Village Lusaka. The main focus of the social centre is a Family Strengthening Programme for the population that has been affected by HIV/Aids, which enables children who are at risk of losing the care of their family to grow within a caring family environment. At the beginning of 2000, studies had already begun about the establishment of a second SOS Children's Village in Zambia and soon afterwards the government provided some property in Kitwe, capital of the Copper Belt Region situated in the north. In March 2004 the new SOS Children's Village was ready to welcome the first children.
At present there are three SOS Children's Villages, two SOS Youth Facilities, three SOS Kindergartens, four SOS Hermann Gmeiner Schools, one SOS Vocational Training Centre, six SOS Social Centres and two SOS Medical Centres in Zambia. Another SOS Children's Village is under construction.
Website of SOS Children's Villages Zambia
(available in English)