Week 5 - Chikumbuso Widows & Orphans Project

I love being able to support the efforts of people in my community. I met volunteers with the Chikumbuso project back in December at a craft fair. They happened to have the table next to ours and I was immediately drawn to the bright colors and beautiful designs of the purses and bags they were selling. Come to find out, these purses were created from discarded plastic shopping bags by widows in the of Ng'ombe compound in Lusaka, Zambia.

Bags made from recycled plastic grocery bags are a micro-industry for the Chikumbuso widows

The success stories of the Chikumbuso project are so compelling and I love the connection between a this New England community and the people of Zambia. The Project began in 2005 to help one widow feed and educate her 7 children. According to the Chikumbuso website, the AIDS crisis in Zambia has left 800,000 children orphaned. This is a staggering number to even wrap my head around. The project has now grown to accommodate 70 widows, 50 young adults, 20 grandmothers, and 300 school children.

Within the Chikumbuso compound, these women and children are offered a safe haven of love and opportunity. They are provided resources and knowledge to generate their own income and learn skills. Their children are given free education and their grandmothers are protected and provided for. The project has also started helping single mothers by teaching them sewing and cooking while providing safe daycare for their children.

"Remembrance of what has been done for you and doing it for others" is the Chikumbuso slogan

These women and children who would otherwise be extremely vulnerable in the slums are being given a new lease on life and hope for their own future as well as the future of their children. For more information or to donate to the Chikumbuso Widows & Orphans Project visit their website www.chikumbuso.com or find them on Facebook. Be sure sure to check out their beautiful purses and bags too.

My donation will be matched 100% by my company.

Happy February all!