May 15th is recognized by the United Nations as International Day of Families, stating that: “This day provides an opportunity to promote awareness of issues relating to families and to increase the knowledge of the social, economic and demographic processes affecting families.”

One of the major issues faced in the Copperbelt, Zambia, has been access to education, particularly for orphans and vulnerable children. When surveys were conducted by our community health worker colleagues in 2009, this was the biggest need identified by caregivers. Since then, we’ve been building schools and programs that provide equitable education, consistent meals, grief support for orphans, advocacy for girls, and much more. These issues would not have been addressed without advocacy from families.

We are thrilled that still, twelve years later, the parent and caretaker committees (PCSC) at our sister schools are active and meet each term to discuss the needs and issues children are facing. Today we celebrate the many families who continue to advocate for children in the communities that we serve and across the world!