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Some of the villages will be built on larger plots of agricultural
land. This will allow for the training of youth in good agricultural
practices such as; principles of irrigation, crop rotation, vegetable
production, compost making, post harvest processing, integrated pest
management, crop selection and marketing, and record keeping. The
crops harvested will be used to make the villages self sustaining
and to help support other orphans who are not residing in the villages.
Of primary importance is the goal to help the orphans grow into creative
and fulfilled Christian citizens who will return to their villages
as strong ambassadors for Jesus Christ. This will be accomplished
by instilling in them a strong Biblical foundation and Bible based
Christian morals. In addition to a Christian based education, they
will receive Bible teaching and modeling of a Christian life style.
The Biblical education will be accomplished by the leadership of the
village, the Christian volunteers and employees at the village from
the local churches in Zambia, and through short-term volunteers visiting
the village from their sponsor churches. The modeling of a Christian
life style will come through these same sources.
In time, the village will grow most of its own food. This will include
grains, corn, soy, winter peas, and other produce. Meat will come
from animals raised on the farm. These will include goats, cattle,
sheep, and rabbits. Milk for the children will come from the goats
and cows. The project will work closely with local tribal and governmental
authorities. Children will be screened and referred by tribal or governmental
social services sources.
Health Care
A core service need of the children is quality health care. Many AIDS
orphans are HIV-positive themselves. AKCLI's experience is that at
least 20% of the children are HIV positive. Their immune systems have
been compromised, and they often need special care for the opportunistic
diseases they contract. The Institute of Human Virology, is a division
of the University of Maryland Medical System, and a world-class center
of excellence, focusing on chronic viral diseases (HIV) and on malaria.
Zambian President Levy P. Mwanawasa visited the Institute in June,
2005 and has contracted with the center to provide treatment for HIV
in his country. Dr. Rob Sheneberger, the Senior HIV doctor in Zambia,
is the medical advisor to AKCLI.
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