 Project Zambia is committed to a social ethos, whereby we recognise that extreme poverty exists because extreme wealth exists. The work that we are involved in is not about handouts; in the words of Angela Miyanda (Kabwata Orphanage Co-ordinator);
"Help us to stand and we can walk on our own."
Project Zambia was founded on the belief that all humans are equal and deserving of basic rights. However, we also accept that current economic systems, global powers, governments and other issues, outside of the control of people have denied the majority of people in the world these rights.
We, as community, endeavour, to the best of our collective ability, to right this wrong for as many marginalised people as possible. Rejecting the notion of 'charity' which has overtones of 'giving something extra', we embrace the notion of justice and its indication that we 'do what is right'.
In how we work, Project Zambia will help with funding of projects:
- which will have a long term, empowering impact
- that have a community benefit
- that are sustainable
- that are based on ideas that come from our host communities
In our immersion programmes, we will:
- work in partnership, alongside our host community
- respectful of culture and local tradition
- work with local community leaders and leaders, to allow transparency for the host communities
In formation we will:
- as far as possible, prepare our volunteers for their time in Zambia
- disseminate much needed practical information to our volunteer
- provide education which will help our volunteers to understand more about concepts such as poverty
- create an environment which encourages community
- encourage volunteers to ask questions, keep ourselves available to answer questions, where possible.
- Without discrimination, facilitate volunteers in working with our Project
The main skill which volunteers must bring to Project Zambia is true human compassion, as identified by Martin Luther King: 'True compassion is more than flinging a coin to a beggar; it is not haphazard and superficial. It comes to see that an edifice which produces beggars needs restructuring. |
Project Zambia (registered charity no. XR87823) isn't just about raising money, it's about raising awareness and forging links between our community here in Ireland and the community in Zambia. We believe in a working partnership with the people in Zambia to help, support and empower the host communities to develop solutions to their problems and difficulties.