Schools in Zambia begin their calendar year in January. This time of year is busy at Chikumbuso buying school supplies, double checking our enrollment and getting everyone settled for the new school term.
It’s also the time that we do our major role call anticipating our big purchase of health scheme cards.
This year, however, the new government has increased the budget in the health sector and now Zambians can go to their local clinics for free primary care! This will help tremendously with folks that would put off going to the doctor because they don’t have the money for fees. It will also encourage check-ups for children under 5, a very vulnerable group.
This is fantastic news and we are all very thankful.
However, we have been raising funds for the purchase of this year’s cards. We plan to ‘bank’ that money for the purchase of medications and treatments for our project members. Even though everyone can go to the doctor and find out what is wrong – they may not be able to afford the remedy. Banking money now will allow us to help our widows and students if and when they become ill.
A big Thank You! to everyone who has participated in caring for the health of our widows, orphans and grandmothers! God bless you in 2012!
Click here for more information on Zambia’s announcement regarding this big change!