Kaoma Chesire Community Care Centre for Aids Orphans

Miracle in the bush - The Kaoma Chesire Community Care Centre.

In July 2005, on one of our regular trips to Africa, destiny and divine intervention brought us to the  doorstep of Sister Mary Moloney and her "miracle in the bush" outside of Kaoma village in  northwestern Zambia. There they were, these neat little huts in the center of a large compound. This was the home to 112 infant and child orphans, legacy of the tragedy of aids.

It is a great and brave undertaking. Sister Mary and her assistants and employees have created an oasis of love, caring and compassion in the heart of the African bush.

In the words of Sister Mary:

“When some years ago, the many problems that were being caused by Aids became apparent here in Kaoma, we felt that we should take some steps to offer assistance. A meeting was called to which the leaders of all denominations, business people and other prominent persons were invited. The purpose of the meeting was to evaluate in which way we could offer constructive help. We wanted this to be a community response to the problem. After much discussion and deliberation, it was decided that care of infant orphans should be a priority.

The Irish Embassy was approached for funds and help with the construction of the buildings. These they gave generously. The centre was opened on the 16th of July 1995.

Our aim is to first help grandparents care for the orphans at home, by providing assistance and food and milk. If they cannot take care of the infant at home, we take the child into care and look after them. Some of the infants are very ill on admission and unfortunately some do not survive. We usually have 39 infants at any given time. At the moment we have 112.

As can be imagined, the care of such a large number of children is very costly. It also requires a large number of staff. The local community is very supportive but cannot offer financial assistance. With monthly expenses close to 4000.00 pounds sterling for the running costs, we depend completely on charity and voluntary contributions from all over the world to cover these.”

 

Sister Mary with infant orphans. What dedication!
Sister Mary is an incredible person. She has dedicated her life to educating and caring for the children. She knows every child by name making sure to spend some time each day with each and everyone. With warmth in her smile, she explains to me that she is not here to change the religious orientation of the children. The children are all registered as Roman Catholic, but they keep their local customs and beliefs with the help of the community elders. A mukanda camp was even built on the land so the young boys would go through their initiation into adulthood. What dedication!

Bath time at the orphanage. One at a time!
We made it our objective to spread the word and assist this magnificent project. We We have had an amazing response. Lots of our customers, here in Montreal and Internationally have responded with kindness by donating clothing, school books, writing materials, toys and money. 
In November 2005 on a return visit to the region, John stopped by the Community to check in on the children, and give a shipment of donations. The children were ecstatic to see him, and rushed to try on some of the new clothing. We were happy to hear that many of our customers had contacted the orphanage directly and donated funds. Sister Mary was away at another center and the head of the Home Rita Tumbila showed John around, pointed out  some of the renovations undertaken, introduced him to the new children who were taken in and also let him know of the loss of two young children to this devastating disease. She also prepared a letter of thanks for all the donations received (which one can read by clicking on the thumbnail on the right). Seeing firsthand the benefit of our efforts reinforced our commitment to continue working hard to assist these wonderful and extraordinary children.

Letter of thanks. 

Click to enlarge.

November 2005 -Rita Tumbila and some of the orphans. 
In August 2006, John returned to the center to visit and give some funds, food and clothing generously given to us by our friends and customers. We also had donations which were collected by a junior school in Montreal, along with hundreds of drawings, cards and well wishes. It was a great experience watching children opening gifts from other children thousands of miles away. Clothing was quickly rummaged through with each child choosing their favorite piece to put on right away. The smiles and excitement were very intoxicating. John spent the day with the children and chatting with Rita and the other assistants. He was saddened to hear of the death of two of the orphans who had succumbed to aids. According to Rita, they died in dignity as they were cared for up to the end with love and tenderness by the staff of the home.
The afternoon's somberness was lifted by the infectious laughter and love of the young children swarming around. John left the orphanage with a renewed sense of commitment to continue in our drive to assist these wonderful people and children.

August 2006 - Going through clothes with the children!

August 2006 - Children already wearing some of their new clothes.

Rita made sure that when John left he would take the people who have assisted the center over the years. You may view them by clicking the images below.

Click to enlarge!

Click to enlarge!

Letter of thanks to both John and Basil - August 2006

Letter to all our customers who helped - August 2006
Sister Mary, Rita and all the children need continued assistance. We have sent some shipments to Kaoma and will continue doing so. Here is how we can work together to keep assisting this project and its needs.

1 – For financial aid you may contact Sister Mary and the community centre by mail or phone to find out how to send the funds:

      Sr Mary Mahoney
 Coordinator
      Kaoma Chesire Comm. Care Centre
      P.O. Box 940133
      Kaoma
      Zambia
     
      0112607-360235 office hours.
      0112607-360040 evenings/after hours (7 hours ahead of EST).

Please do not send any funds to Masks-etc. It is preferable you deal directly with Sister Mary and Rita Tumbila of the Community Center when it concerns financial aid.

2- Material aid in the form of school supplies, books, crayons, coloring books, blankets, sheets, and clothing for children 0-12 years, educational toys and other needed supplies are gladly accepted. You can send them directly to the Chesire Centre or you may send them to Masks-etc to be incorporated into our shipments to the Centre (thus saving you shipping expenses)! If you decide to send them to us you may advise Sister Maloney that your contribution is being sent with John Kolovos and Basil Katsivalis.

Call us at 1-877-636-8422 or email us for further information.

 

We can all help!

Read how a local Junior school in Montreal, and it's pupils helped the orphans of Kaoma!