Nurture. Love. Grow.
Healthcare
We recognize the importance of instilling good hygiene practices in our children to break the cycle of parental neglect. Our dedicated team is committed to teaching the children at LOHA about basic practices for maintaining good health.
To ensure the well-being of all the children, we have a thorough onboarding process that includes a comprehensive health check to ensure vaccinations are up to date and any potential viruses are addressed. Once admitted, we prioritize cleanliness and teach the children the importance of maintaining a clean environment.
At LOHA, we also place great emphasis on the mental health of our children who have experienced the absence of parents. We focus on nurturing their individual desires and, most importantly, we teach them about the profound love of Jesus and reassure them that He deeply cares for each and every one of them.
72% do not have basic sanitation.
100% of our children practiced open defecation before coming to LOHA.
85% of rural Zambians do not comprehend basic hygiene practices.
1 in 5 children are orphaned in Zambia.
67% do not have clean water.
85% of our children had never seen “water they could look through to the other side”.
Statistics to support LOHA’s protocol
Our welcome process
Ensuring the well-being of our children is our top priority. Each child undergoes a comprehensive wellness examination and a series of tests conducted by a respected ambassador of the Zambian Ministry of Health in Lusaka. This thorough assessment helps us identify any health issues the children may be facing and enables us to provide the necessary treatment and care.
Weight, height, and vital signs are recorded, allowing us to track their growth and development. The children also undergo testing for HIV, malaria, and cholera, and receive appropriate treatment if necessary. Additionally, they are administered vitamin A and deworming pills, and any infections are identified and treated with prescribed medications. We understand the importance of regular monitoring, which is why we record each child's growth chart every three months.
If diagnosed, we waste no time in tending to the children's needs. Our dedicated team ensures that each child receives prompt treatment. Through this comprehensive approach to healthcare, we aim to restore their health and provide them with a solid foundation for a better future.
Once cleared, the children enter their new homes at LOHA, where we foster a supportive and family-like environment. Each home accommodates 10-12 children of the same gender. Equipped with new clothes, warm beds, and bathrooms stocked with essential supplies, our children feel safe and cared for. They also have a gathering room where they can come together, bond, and create lasting friendships.
Ongoing hygiene at LOHA
We understand the importance of cleanliness and good hygiene. Thanks to the construction of three clean water wells, our children now have access to warm and clean bathing water. We provide them with soap, toothbrushes, and toothpaste, giving them the tools and knowledge to maintain proper hygiene practices. Through this emphasis on cleanliness and regular handwashing, we aim to promote good health and prevent the spread of diseases.
Our teachers, housemums, and male staff members take it upon themselves to educate the children about cleanliness and personal hygiene. They teach the importance of maintaining a clean and healthy environment and taking personal responsibility for their physical care and presentation. The children also participate in group lessons, learning to live together harmoniously with care and unity as a family.
All of our children at LOHA have been taught safe sanitation practices, including the strict rule of not defecating in open areas. This important rule aims to eliminate soil-borne diseases within our community.
In addition, we take measures to tackle the issue of standing water, which can become a breeding ground for malaria-carrying mosquitoes. We drain standing water whenever possible and ensure that any water sources that cannot be removed are rotated every two days. This strategy helps to reduce the hatching of mosquito larvae and minimize the risk of malaria transmission. Our commitment to a clean and healthy environment reflects our dedication to the well-being of our children at LOHA.
The children engage in various physical activities to stay active, such as long-distance running, soccer, weight lifting, and playing basketball. They also participate in playful group activities led by short-term mission teams and are assigned chores to keep them on their feet.
Throughout the week, the children receive a Christ-centered education from Monday to Friday. Their evenings are filled with organized bible study and scripture memorization, helping them deepen their understanding of their faith. The Sunday service at LOHA further enhances their knowledge and relationship with Jesus.
Future hopes and dreams
Build and maintain a medical clinic to aid the family of LOHA and the surrounding village.
Short-term mission teams with specific goals of sports camps, athletic training, cooking classes, composting, music, sewing, knitting, quilting, woodworking, drama, dance, pottery, and art classes.
Playground equipment
Gym for strength and conditioning
Volleyball net and court
Science lab
Kitchen appliances to reduce outdoor cooking emissions