Located in Lusaka, the Kabwata Orphanage stands as a model of hope among orphanages in Zambia. Founded in 1988 by Angela Miyanda, who served as the Second Lady of Zambia, the center was established as a direct response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic that left a generation of children without parents. For over 30 years, in partnership with Bread and Water for Africa®, Kabwata Orphanage has provided a safe haven for vulnerable children. Read the full story of how Angela Miyanda founded Kabwata here.
Beyond Institutional Care
A Family-Centric Model: Modern orphan care is about more than just shelter; it is about family. While Kabwata began as a transit center, it has evolved into a leader in community-based care. It focuses on family reintegration, supporting children not just within our walls, but also those living with extended families or in foster care arrangements throughout Lusaka
The Scope of the Crisis
The need for supportive care remains critical. While progress has been made in recent decades, Zambia continues to face significant challenges stemming from the long-term effects of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and persistent poverty.
- According to UNICEF, 1.3 million children in Zambia grow up without one or both parents. These children face higher risks of deprivation. Recent data reveals that 70.6% of children in Zambia suffer from deprivations in two or more dimensions of well-being simultaneously.
- 74.9% of orphans in Zambia live in multidimensional poverty (lacking 2+ basic needs). Even more critically, 33.9% of orphans face severe poverty (lacking 4 or more basic needs simultaneously), a rate significantly higher than non-orphans.
- Infant Mortality Rate: The need for early childhood healthcare is urgent. It is estimated that the rate is approximately 35.6 deaths per 1,000 live births
Making a Real Difference
Thanks to our donors, the impact is growing. In 2025, the Kabwata program supported 139 orphaned and vulnerable children in Zambia. This support covers:
- Basic Necessities: Nutritious meals and safe shelter.
- Healthcare: Medical checkups and HIV/AIDS management where needed.
- Education: School fees, uniforms, and supplies.
Stories of Impact
We believe in the transformative power of education. Mumba was brought to Kabwata as an infant born in a prison; he was raised with love and support. Today, he is a university graduate with a degree in Environmental Health Sciences. Read Mumba’s inspiring journey from Kabwata to Medical Graduate.
Partner With Us
The work at Kabwata Orphanage is ongoing. Your support helps Bread and Water for Africa® sustain the daily care of 139 children and ensures that students like Mumba can continue to break the cycle of poverty. Learn more about our wider Orphan Care Programs in Africa.
Poverty in Zambia: Challenges & Real Solutions
Across Zambia, millions of families face the daily realities of poverty. For many, it is not simply a lack of income but a struggle to access clean water, quality education, health care, and sustainable livelihoods. Rural communities, in particular, bear the brunt of...
Transforming Lives: Orphan Care Programs in Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Tanzania Empowering Abandoned and Orphaned Children and Youth
At Bread and Water for Africa®, nothing fills our hearts with joy more than seeing the smiling faces of orphaned, abandoned and other vulnerable children in sub-Saharan Africa who have found loving homes where, thanks to our supporters, they are sheltered and fed,...
Thanks to Our Generous Supporters, Bread and Water for Africa® Orphan Care Program Provides to Some of the Most Vulnerable Children in sub-Saharan Africa
In Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe right now there are hundreds of orphaned and abandoned children who have a warm bed to sleep in at night, are receiving three meals a day and are attending school without fear of being turned away due to a lack of ability to pay...