Celebrating our Patron’s Life

While the weight of loss undoubtedly bears heavily on our hearts, Zambia Orphans Aid- Zambia (ZOAZ) joins the family, the rest of Zambia and the world in mourning Dr Kenneth Kaunda, the founding president of Zambia, who died on 17th June 2021.

Though time may take away our loved ones before we are ready to let go, Dr Kenneth Kaunda’s memories, lasting images and warm feelings will remain with us at ZOAZ.

After ZOAZ was registered to support Orphans of Aids, Dr Kenneth Kaunda was the person ZOAZ approached to support its objectives. He was deeply involved in the fight against HIV in Zambia and across Africa. Two years after ZOAZ was launched, Dr Kenneth Kaunda was the keynote speaker at a ZOAZ fundraising dinner and later agreed to be patron of ZOAZ.

He observed in 2009 at that dinner that; “ZOAZ is reaching people in need where some long established organisations do not go. ZOAZ has been helping children towards completing school and it has supported school leavers in acquiring skills that will enable these young persons have vocations and meet various basic needs. Supporting the young ones with education and skills helps build the capacity of families to meet basic needs and live their lives in a manageable manner”.

The Founding Zambian President further acknowledged ZOA’s efforts in psycho-social counselling for orphaned and bereaved family members. In addition, ZOAZ is greatly involved in protecting the girl child from abuse and sexual exploitation. Such support is an important component that all of us dealing with HIV and AIDS should learn from.

His words then still reflect our mission today. We feel privileged that he was a part of the ZOAZ family.

All those connected with ZOAZ send their condolences to his family at this time of mourning.

Issued by the

Zambia Orphans Aid - Zambia Board