The Zambia Project

While I'm in Africa, with the exception of the first month which I will spend in Capetown SA, my time will be spent at The Zambia Project in Mongu, Western Zambia.  I thought you might be interested in knowing a little bit about it.  So here's some information (most of which can be found at The Zambia Project's website).
Fast Facts about Western Zambia:

• Population is estimated at roughly over 1 million
• Literacy levels in rural communities are <8%
• Less than 1% of Western Zambians have a flushing toilet
• Most communities don't have a clean water source
• HIV/AIDS, TB, Malaria and Malnutrition commonly take children  or leave orphans
• 3 out of 5 children do not survive to their 5th birthday
• The average life expectancy is 29
• The authority (headman/chief) in a village is called the Nduna
• The main spoken language is Silozi
• Many villages still have witchdoctors
• Most people in this region have never heard a clear presentation of the Gospel!

The Zambia Project's vision is to have a Christ-centered church in walking distance of every community.  They work to implement sustainable growth in communities that will last even if they're gone.  Their projects include:

• Well-digging
• Church-planting
• Discipleship
• Village of Hope orphan school
• Save-A-Life: a program to prevent severe malnutrition
• Medical Outreaches
• Community Development (i.e. planting gardens for better nutrition)
• Hope Art: a program that employs widows while also creating revenue for the VOH orphanage