Livingstone

SOS Children’s Villages supports individual children, young people and families so that they can thrive (photo: SOS Children’s Villages Zambia).

Livingstone is in Zambia’s Southern Province and near the borders with Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia. It has a population of over 136,000, and its proximity to Victoria Falls makes it a popular tourist destination. The region is often affected by severe drought, which leads to food shortages. Most recently, in 2019 there was widespread crop failure. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has meant there is extra need for support, especially for vulnerable children who are at risk of losing, or have already lost the care of their parents.

Since 2008, SOS Children’s Villages has been supporting children, young people and families and advocating for their rights in Livingstone.

66%
Of people in the Southern province are poor

Poverty

Around 66% of people living in the Southern Province, where Livingston is located, are poor. While the city of Livingstone does better due to tourism, many of the poor families live in rural areas of the province. They survive off farming, which is dependent on the climate and livelihoods can be destroyed through crisis like droughts or flooding. Efforts are already underway to empower families to learn new skills and find more stable ways to make a living, but these need to be further strengthened in the future to support families and children in the long-term.

1.2M
Zambians live with HIV/AIDS

Health

Zambia’s Southern Province, where Livingstone is located, has one of the highest number of people living with HIV/AIDS in the country. This affects thousands of families where adults cannot make a living and children’s needs cannot be met. In many cases, children will have to drop out of school and find ways of getting food and other necessities for the family. Girls are more likely to drop out of school than boys. The government is working hard to ensure that girls can stay in school to receive training and broaden their chances in life.

Your support makes a difference for children in Livingstone

SOS Children’s Villages works with local partners and communities to offer a wide range of support that is adapted to the local context. We always work in the best interest of the children, young people and families.
510
Families
Can stay together
3,040
Children and adults
Are supported in the community
140
Children and young people
Grow up in our care
SOS Children’s Villages cooperates with education authorities, schools and community organizations. Together they ensure free and equitable access to quality education that equips children with values and skills (photo: SOS Children’s Villages Zambia).

How your support helps in Livingstone

Strengthening vulnerable families and communities
When parents face hardships, they can sometimes struggle to give children the care they need. SOS Children’s Villages works with local partners and communities. Each family needs different support so that they can stay together. This support can include workshops on parenting and children’s rights. We also run training so that parents can get the skills they need to get a job or start their own businesses. Likewise, we ensure that children can get medical help and go to school.
Caring for children who cannot live with their families
Some children cannot stay with their families, even with additional support. When this happens, they can find a new home in SOS Children’s Villages. Here the children can build safe and lasting relationships. All the children in our care have access to education and healthcare. Wherever possible, we work closely with the children’s family of origin. If children can return to live with their families, we help them adapt to this change.