Vision of Hope (VoH) works with at-risk girls living on the streets of, Zambia. VoH works to instill self worth in the girls, providing them with educational opportunities and life skills and; connecting them to community resources. VoH focuses on the development of each girl-child in order to protect them from exploitation and further, enable them to realize their rights as children and young wom
en. Our work empowers girls to make informed and transformative life decisions. VoH runs a full time shelter for girls who otherwise would be living on the streets. With residents: 20 girls and 3 babies, the shelter provides a safe space and secure living environment for these at-risk adolescents. VoH also serves as a critical link to increase and promote girls' access to the local health center, community schools and life skills, and ART services. Our vision is to create a safe, stable, and permanent living environment that focuses on the development of each girl child in a holistic manner. Vision of Hope’s long term vision is to prevent “streetism” and to safely and effectively transition each girl back into her family or community with the necessary life skills to enable each girl-child to live in a sustainable and safe manner. History
Chitalu Chishimba, Vision of Hope's Executive Director, has been working with vulnerable children and children living in and off the streets for over five years. As an outreach worker, she worked with children on the streets as well as drop in centres throughout Lusaka. She created 'Girls Together' a weekly outreach programme for girls living on the streets that provided a safe haven and access to food, bathing and life skills workshops. In 2007 the Social Welfare Department opened a refuge for girls living on the streets and Chitalu was asked to be the Director. The 'Hope Foundation' provided protection for girls in Garden compound but closed due to lack of funds in early 2009, leaving girls without access to educational support, medical treatment and a safe place to be. It was at the Hope Foundation that Chitalu first met Meg O'Brien a musician from the USA who had been travelling to Zambia since 2007 running music and art workshops for children in compounds. Following its closure Chitalu and Meg, along with a dedicated group of Advisors, came together to restart the 'Girls Together' programme, providing girls with access to information on HIV and AIDS, personal hygiene, sexual and reproductive health and life skills. The initial collaboration was such a success that they decided to form a new organisation that would eventually support girls full time. With the help of people from around the globe the organisation continues to grown, built on a vision of hope, opportunity and respect for all girls.
