Every September children all over the United States are back in school.  Every child in the U.S., regardless of their financial situation, has the opportunity to attend school. The school year in Zambia starts in January, but many children in Zambia will not have the opportunity to attend school.

The HIV/AIDS pandemic in Sub-Saharan Africa has left thousands of children orphaned.  Many orphans end up living with grandmothers who may be caring for several children.  Other orphans end up living on the street. Children as young as 9 years old have had to become the “head of household” and care for several younger siblings because their parents are dead.  
In order for a child to attend school they must have a school uniform, shoes, and pay school fees.  This costs each child about $55 U.S. per year. 

When Ranchhod Hospice and Children’s Centre opened in 2003 they started a daycare program for orphaned and vulnerable children.  These children receive food, medical care, and a pre-school education.  In January of 2006 they graduated their first group of 21 children to First Grade.  Ranchhod Hospice paid for these children to attend school that first year. 

Since Ranchhod Hospice receives no government funding and must rely on grants and donations for all of their funding, the additional expense of the children’s school fees created an extreme financial hardship. 

A program was started in 2006 to insure that each child that graduates from Ranchhod Hospice and Children’s Centre will have the opportunity to attend elementary school.  This is where you can help!  For the cost of $55 you can sponsor a child to attend school for a year.  The people who have sponsored a child in the past will have the first opportunity to continue their support, but there is no annual commitment.  For only $55 you can make a world of difference in a child’s life. 

If you feel that you can not afford $55, donations in any amount are welcome or you can go in with a group to support a child.  Without an education these children will be lost forever.  With an education these children are the future of Africa.  You can make the difference.

Checks should be made out to

“HSI-Zambia Partnership” with

“School Fees” in the memo line. 

Send to Hospice of Southern Illinois,

204 Halfway Road, Marion, IL 62959.

For further information contact me at 618-997-3030 or aplumer@hospice.org.