Introduction
In 1926 the Dominican Sisters founded Kasisi Orphanage. Two years later they handed it over to the Little Servants of Mary Immaculate, a Polish Catholic order.
Since then, it has grown to become the largest and best known orphanage in Zambia. In 2002 the name was changed to Kasisi Children's Home.
Today the children's home has a separate wing for babies and younger children, a small house for older girls, a house for street kids, and two wings for children living with HIV/AIDS, the House of Hope and Martin's Room. Seven Polish Sisters, eight Zambian Sisters and around fifty Zambian housemothers run the children's home.
Mission
The mission of the children's home is to provide the children with basic needs, spiritual care, love and protection, and to ensure that these children will be self-supporting once they reach adulthood.
All children of school age go to school, and after secondary school Kasisi supports them in further education or in finding a job.
Location
The children's home is situated 37km from Lusaka's city centre and 7km from the airport, out in the countryside.
Funding
Kasisi Children's Home is funded purely through donations from individuals and organisations throughout the world. Kasisi has no access to any central funding.
How the children find themselves at Kasisi
Children are brought in from all the provinces of Zambia. They're sometimes referred by the Social Welfare Society, the police victim support unit, refugee centres, hospitals, the streets, and their own communities.
Facilities at Kasisi
Kasisi is divided into four areas: a wing for babies and younger children, a house for older girls, a house for street kids, and two wings for children who are infected with HIV/AIDS.
There is also a pre-school, two playgrounds, gardens, a classroom, a library and a small computer room.
As the family is the best place for a child, Kasisi tries to find solutions to reunite children with members of their extended family, and continues to support them with some of their basic needs afterward.
Activities
The children's home has two playgrounds, a main ground where all the children gather and play, and a smaller one for pre-school-age children. Any items that can be used for play are always appreciated.
Medical requirements
A small clinic is managed by two nurses, with doctors from the Coptic Church Hospital visiting monthly. Children who get sick are treated on-site, and serious cases are referred to larger hospitals. Ongoing needs include antibiotics, multivitamins, IV cannulas, needles, syringes, oral rehydration salts, examination gloves and cotton wool, and any other medical supplies are a great help.