Seven-year-old Paul had to stop attending school to help his family eat. But thanks to Excellence Christian Academy and Project Joseph, he was able to return to class! 

Paul normally attends classes at the Caleb Center for Children with Autism, but during the COVID-19 pandemic, he had to help his sister sell goods at the market to help his family eat. 

Our partners at Excellence Christian Academy under the leadership of our partner, Eugene Kalunga, regularly support Caleb Center by supplying them with needed supplies for the children.

“Raising a child in Zambia with a disability, speaking from experience has been very, very difficult,” says Nellie, whose son, Caleb, is autistic. “Especially where people do not want to associate with you because they fear your disability is actually contagious.”

Children with disabilities and their families commonly face social disgrace and ostracization in Zambia. Myths about disability being a curse and contagious prevent social connections that would offer crucial support.

“Stigma did not just come from the community, but even...members of my own family wouldn’t accept my son. He was too weird for them.” Nellie said, “...When people came to visit it would be worse, they would even suggest locking up my son in my bedroom.”

Many parents can't handle the challenge.

It seems parents, bowing beneath the heavy weight of  the financial burden, social stigma and lack of resources face overwhelming temptation to tap out. Sixteen-year-old Nala's mother left her with her grandmother because of Nala’s disability.

Nala’s mother remarried and began a new life. Enoch's father, too, left after learning that his first-born son had a disability.

Mapaso's father began noticing differences in his son when Mapaso was about two years old. Unable to handle the challenge and social shame of having a child with a disability, he abandoned his wife and son. 

But Caleb's mother didn't tap out. In 2016, Nellie started the Caleb Center for Children with Autism. Then, there were just 3 students. Now the center serves 25 families, offering in-home support and on-site education.

These families that face unthinkably difficult challenges, only exacerbated by the pandemic, were introduced to Jesus and his care through Project Joseph.

In addition to sharing provision with the families of the Caleb Center, ECA also reached out and provided for families in Kabowa. Kabowa is the rural village where Eugene is constructing a second Christian School to bring Jesus and education to this area.