Orphaned Children

Sioma is located in the Western Province of Zambia. It is made up of dense woodlands, riparian forests, shallow wetlands, and settlements.

76.7% of the population in Sioma live in poverty with lack of access to basic needs, income and employment opportunities. Majority of the population are small-scale farmers and fishermen. However, the area is often affected by drought and floods resulting in loss of livelihood. However, the area is often affected by drought and floods resulting in loss of livelihood. 

School infrastructure and teaching resources are lacking resulting in low quality education for children. There is overcrowding in classes, high teacher-pupil ratio. Pupils have to learn under trees and sit on the floor in the classrooms. Children have to walk long distances to schools. Thus, about 25% of children between 7 and 9 years are not attending school due to parents’ concerns for their children’s safety.

Healthcare access is another major challenge, as the people in the community often have to travel long distances—up to 29 km—to reach healthcare services, due to insufficient health centers, staff, and equipment.

In Sioma AP, only 49% of households have access to a clean and safe water supply. Many people rely on streams and shallow wells for water. However, these water sources are contaminated. Families are susceptible to water-borne diseases due to contaminated water sources and open defecation.

In Funyula, 64% of the population lives in absolute poverty and children are also at severe risk of abuse and exploitation from negligence, inadequate protection and education. 

In Mpalo, children and families have limited to no access to clean water, quality education, healthcare, proper nutrition and child protection.

In Dornod, the lack of access to quality healthcare, education, stable livelihood opportunities, and child protection measures leaves children and families exposed to vulnerabilities that aggravate the levels of poverty and familial struggles.

Sindhuli is one of the poorest and most deprived areas in Nepal, ranking 56 out of 75 districts in the national poverty deprivation list. World Vision began an assessment study into this area in April 2012 and found the needs of the mainly minority ethnic groups here compelling. Hence, the Sindhuli AP began its work in Oct 2013.

The majority of the people in the AP are dalits (untouchables) and indigenous Janajati. These groups are among the poorest people in Nepal. They depend on agriculture, manual labour and seasonal migrant labour for their livelihoods.

In terms of education, the illiteracy rate in the AP is 60%. Parents of poor families do not value the education of their children. Rather, they send their children to work at an early age to supplement the family income, and it is common for children to drop out of school at the primary level.

Children from Dalit and Janajati communities are also more vulnerable to malnutrition and childhood illnesses, which hinder their growth and development.