SOCH

The Zambian Orphans Appeal (ZOA)

ZOA is a charity dedicated to improving the lives of orphans in Serenje, Zambia through providing an education, basic amenities and specialised healthcare. St George’s has been supporting ZOA since 2008, raising money for projects such as solar panel installation and a bore hole for clean water. As of 2022, the Zambian government has made it their aim to place orphaned children with their extended family. This has shifted the purpose of the organisation as a whole, requiring multiple changes to be made in terms of how much money we need to raise and the level of influence we will have in Serenje.

From ZOA to SOCH     

Zambian orphanages are closing because their government has aimed to integrate orphans with their extended families. At the same time, the number of orphans has decreased enormously due to HIV parents now surviving because of free antiretrovirals. SOCH (Serenje Orphans Children’s Home) is converting into a primary school with boarding facilities for children with disabilities. School infrastructure construction has started and has a goal of a final target enrolment of 240 children by January 2025. The former orphanage facilities will become the boarding school hostel for 24 children with disabilities and by December 2024, all SOCH orphans will have completed their Primary School education. The project will now be called ‘Serenje Outreach for Children’s Help’ (SOCH).