A New Dawn for Mercy and Her Community: How Child Sponsorship Transformed Lives in Isoka district, Northern Zambia

Life in Kapililonga community of Isoka district, Northern Zambia,  was once a cycle of hardship, especially for families like Mercy Nachande’s. At 31 years old, Mercy recalls how difficult it was to meet basic needs. 

"Water was a challenge," she says. "The clinic had no water, so we used the maternity annex without any water supply. We used to fetch water from shallow wells where animals also drank. Food was hard to find because we lacked knowledge on farming and nutrition."

Mercy’s family struggled daily, often going for days without enough to eat. 

"Sometimes we only ate once a day, and even simple chores like washing plates were a challenge due to lack of strength," she explains. "We would do piece work to try and earn money, but it was never enough." The lack of clean water and proper sanitation led to health issues, and maternal health was a constant concern. Mercy admits, "Before the Safe Motherhood Action Groups (SMAGs), we faced many challenges. Some women lost their lives because we didn’t access antenatal care."

Child protection was also a serious issue. 

"Because of hunger, children were vulnerable. Some parents married off their daughters early, and we had many cases of gender-based violence in our home," Mercy shares with a heavy heart. Children like her daughter, Foster, now 12, were affected by these hardships.

Everything changed when World Vision Zambia stepped into their community. “When our children were registered with World Vision in 2020, we felt very happy because we knew change was coming,” Mercy says with a smile. The organization introduced water projects, helping to drill boreholes and install piped water systems. “Now, we have water right at home, and we no longer fetch from unsafe sources,” she adds.

The community was also empowered with business skills training. Mercy proudly shares, “We now have poultry businesses, and we are saving money in savings groups. This has helped us provide for our children and improve our homes.” She emphasizes that “men are now giving us respect because we can support ourselves.”

12-year-old Foster appreciates how the program has improved their lives.

“We learn about reading, writing, and even the Bible. The teachers taught us how important school is, and I want to become a teacher someday," says Foster. "Our school also has running water brought by World Vision Zambia.

Mercy also speaks about the community’s progress: “We now have savings groups that help us buy food and pay school fees. We are taking better care of our children, and life is becoming better.”

Looking back, Mercy feels hopeful. 

“Thanks to World Vision, our lives have changed. We are no longer living in fear or hunger. Our children now have a future to look forward to.” Her story is a testament to the power of child sponsorship, transforming lives, restoring hope, and building stronger communities.