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The People & Their Stories: Joy Human Development and Kaombe Kids

The “Joy Human Development” Story
Zambia is a nation in central Africa, surrounded by Zimbabwe, Congo, and Malawi. One out of every five Zambians is infected by AIDS. This statistic makes Zambia one of the top nations in the world ravaged by this disease.

Extreme poverty is another horrific problem in Zambia. Many rural villagers have no means to pay for an education past grade 12. They remain in their villages for the entirety of their life, where there is little if any way to earn a wage.

The toll of AIDS and extreme poverty has left many Zambians orphaned, without family members, teachers, or an income generating source. Many Zambians lack a sense of self worth or hope for a bright future.

In 2004, three extraordinary Zambian men started a venture to reverse this curse. They wanted to educated fellow Zambians on AIDS, and create a way to help their people generate income. They started the “Joy Human Development Center” who’s goal is to promote AIDS education and economic livelihood through creativity.

Out of their venture come the creative buttons, beads, and painted cards that you see before you. The “Joy Human Development Center” founders- James, John, and Morgan, live in the slums of Lusaka, and have worked with local nonprofits to learn how to develop and lead their organization. They have over one hundred Lusaka slum dwelling Zambians involved in the creation of these pieces.

Please buy one of their products and know that you are truly helping to feed, clothe, and promote the dignity of a Zambian through your purchases. These products are unique and life-changing. Thank you so much for your purchase.










The "Kaombe Kids" Story
In 2007, a venture called the “Mango Tree Self Help Arts and Education Center,” was started in Northern Zambia in a village called Kaombe. This center is dedicated to using arts, creativity, education, and income generating activites to uplift Zambian villagers. The center boasts a library of over 3,000 books, a pre-school, a café, a space for self help classes taught by Zambians, for Zambians, and a space for clubs to meet. It also has a women’s sewing project income generating venture, a transportation business venture, along with the “Kaombe Kids” project.

“Kaombe Kids” is a project that allows Kaombe village youth to use creativity as a means to fund youth directed programs at the “Mango Tree.” The kids of Kaombe gather to create these brightly colored, unique, hand-drawn cards. The profits from these cards go back to the “Mango Tree” and are used to continue projects and programs for kids at the center.

Please buy one of these children’s handmade cards and know that you are truly helping to continue educational and creative programs at the “Mango Tree” that are changing children’s lives. These programs boost the self-esteem, knowledge, and dignity of each child. Thank you for supporting such a life-changing project.

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