Orphan Empowerment Program

It is an all too common sight across Africa, children caring for children because their parents have died of HIV/AIDS, disease, war, famine, and other causes.  They face lives of loneliness, hardship and hunger.  Many of the children end up begging for food, living on the streets, or worse.

ZOE Ministry works to break this cycle of poverty, and give these children hope. ZOE goes into communities where the orphans are already living, and brings them together in supportive groups. We then connect them with local churches and offer them resources and training which empower them to pull themselves out of poverty in 2-3 years.

Moving beyond traditional relief models, ZOE provides a comprehensive approach to transforming the lives of African children.  The first step is to have local African ZOE staff work with community leaders to identify the most vulnerable children in their area. These orphans and child-led families are then united with one another in mutually-supportive Working Groups of 60-80 children. Working Groups often become an extended family, supporting one another in their journey out of poverty. With the help of adult mentors, ZOE staff, and local leaders, these orphans are given access to the resources and training needed to improve their lives.

The program addresses six areas needed to permanently transform the lives of orphans by breaking the cycle of poverty and moving them from dependency to self-sufficiency:

• Food Security
  ZOE equips orphans with the resources and training to grow their own food and care for farm animals. The goal is to provide orphans with the means to obtain a nutritionally balanced and stable source of food for themselves in the first six months of the program.
• Health & Hygiene
  ZOE helps orphans live healthier lives by teaching basic health and hygiene practices. These include activities such as: boiling water before drinking it, keeping their homes and dishes clean, washing their hands before eating, and the proper use of mosquito nets to prevent Malaria. Orphans are not only taught about HIV/AIDS, but also are encouraged to form anti-AIDS clubs to educate their communities.
• Small Business Training
  ZOE Ministry equips orphans with skills to earn their own money. Orphans are trained to select and manage small businesses that generate income for their families. Many orphans also receive vocational training in professions such as hairdressing, tailoring, and construction. ZOE’s aim is to provide the training and resources for orphans to generate enough sustained income to meet their needs without relying on charity or handouts.
• Cultivating Faith
  At the heart of ZOE’s program is a focus on sharing the love of Christ. Orphans engage in worship and Bible study during their weekly and monthly gatherings. ZOE also connects orphans with local churches where they can grow in Christian community.
• Providing Homes
  Many orphans in ZOE’s program do not have access to adequate housing. In response, ZOE provides grants and materials to build homes. The orphans themselves then decide which children are most in need of a new home, and often assist in its construction.
• Community and Education
  ZOE Ministry helps restore community and build new relationships for orphans. Orphans are united with other orphans in a Working Group of approximately 60-80 orphans, guided by ZOE’s staff and a volunteer adult mentor from their community. ZOE also works to help orphans reunite with relatives, enroll in school, and learn about about their rights, including property ownership, inheritance and freedom from abuse.

In three years or less, these children are so empowered that they no longer need our support.  Members of Working Groups who have completed the program often reach out in ministry to other orphans who are suffering.  In this way, the program has a ripple effect in the community transforming lives beyond the original Working Group.