Support Children at the Lubasi Trust Orphanage in Zambia

I am writing to ask for your support of the Lubasi Trust Orphanage, a residential home for 42 orphans and vulnerable children in Livingstone, Zambia. It is one of three projects begun under the umbrella of Grace for Families by Antony Ranja, a Sri Lankan businessman in Livingstone who witnessed the terrible impact of poverty on the community where he works.

In September this year, while volunteering as a teacher in a community school in Zambia, my fellow volunteers and I also volunteered at Lubasi. In a word, it was heartbreaking. Right now, the orphanage is really struggling financially. A devastating drought has impacted all areas of life in Zambia and has led to “load-shedding,” where the government turns off the electricity, often for 17 hours or more a day. Everything was being rationed, and volunteers themselves often bought food and other items badly needed by the orphanage.

One of the sources of income was raising chickens on the orphanage grounds that could be frozen and sold to stores. Because of the power outages, they had to be thawed, which reduced the price that could be fetched. A fish farm onsite has also suffered as a result of the drought.

The Lubasi Orphanage needs virtually everything - cooking oil, "mealie meal" -ground corn used to make nshima -a basic staple dish in Zambia - toilet paper, diapers, beans, cooking oil, eggs, soap and more, along with educational materials for the children.

I know that many of you volunteer your time and contribute to a number of worthy organizations. There are so many compelling causes around the world that ask for your support. However, you can make a difference in the lives of these children - at this orphanage, in the city of Livingstone, in the country of Zambia, in the continent of Africa - if you will join me in making a gift. You will never meet the children, but I can assure you, as one who has been to this special place that cares for them, that their lives will be better because of your generosity.

Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of the children at Lubasi.

Julie Lichtenberg Stern