Breaking All Barriers to Success for Every Child
Our VISION is a world where children do not have to live in fear, hunger or hopelessness
About Us
We are a Zambian non profit, led by a dynamic team of young women ,working towards creating a safer and brighter future for marginalised children
Our Goal
We breathe life into our vision through:
- Championing the rights of children in Zambia
- Establishing secure learning environments at the community school under our care
- Promoting awareness about the challenges faced by children in Zambia
Our Mission
Breaking Barriers to children’s Access to quality education
What we do
We are dedicated to promoting and advocating for the rights of children, while specifically addressing and working to dismantle barriers faced by marginalized children in Zambia. Our approach involves various strategic activities, including the provision of educational services and free meals. Through these initiatives, coupled with research and policy advocacy, we work tirelessly to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all children.
Educate
Benign oversees the St. Charity Community Education Centre where Marginalized children are prioritized. This center which is located in Ibex Hill, Lusaka caters to the most disadvantaged children in Bauleni and Mtendere East communities, adopting an inclusive approach to leave no child behind.
We provide essential services such as
- comprehensive literacy programs
- child counselling
- skill development opportunities.
The commitment is to ensure that every child, irrespective of their background, receives the essential support and resources needed for their well-being and success.
Grow
At Benign, prioritizing the fight against child hunger is central to our mission. Operating a specialized children’s food bank, we understand the obstructive impact of hunger and poverty on education, especially for those lacking regular meals. Our commitment to holistic child development is reflected in our school feeding programs, which provide essential nourishment to students, ensuring they have the energy and nutrients for focused learning. Our research highlights the positive correlation between regular meals, academic performance, and attendance. Through supplying meals, we actively contribute to creating an environment that supports learning and overall development.
Why we do it
We are passionate and this is why we do it
Why we educate
In Zambia, vulnerable children face an alarming lack of access to quality education. This is due to a variety of factors, such as a lack of educational resources and infrastructure, poverty, child hunger, and violence against children. Unfortunately, the country's education system is underfunded and unable to provide quality education to all children. In 2023, the total expenditure allocated to education is 13.9% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product, which is well below the 20% recommended by UNESCO to meet Sustainable Development Goal 4 to ensure inclusive, equitable education and promote lifelong learning opportunities.
Why we feed
Poverty is a major contributing factor to child hunger in Zambia, one of the least developed countries in Africa. It is estimated that more than half of Zambian families live below the poverty line, making it difficult to afford enough food to sustain a healthy diet for their children. This lack of nutrition leads to a decrease in attendance and concentration in school, resulting in poorer performance that could have been avoided. Quality education is an essential part of a child’s development, and poverty-stricken families must have access to this.
Why we protect
Child neglect and violence against children, especially the girl child, is an alarming issue in Zambia, resulting in a high rate of school dropouts and poor academic performance among children. According to the Zambia Police Service, in the second quarter of 2022, 8,790 gender-based violence cases were reported, of which 2,101 involved child victims. Moreover, 78.1% of these child victims were girls and 21.9% were boys. This highlights the prevalence of violence against girls in Zambia and the need to take steps to protect them.
Our Projects
Our organization has provided quality education to over 500 vulnerable children, promoted children’s rights to food and nutrition, reduced violence against children, and empowered 500 school girls with skills on how to make reusable sanitary towels.
Take a look at
Our Partners
You can use your knowledge and skills to mentor and support children, build relationships with the community, and contribute to the growth and development of your community.
Together, we can help make our community a better place for everyone!
