All the children come from very poor backgrounds and most are double orphans. With medication and good food, their physical condition has improved fantastically and they have settled down well at Lubasi. They started at a local primary school in July 2002, many never having been to school before. Uniforms and school fees were provided through a church agency that helps orphans in Livingstone.

One of the children is very educationally retarded, and is being sent to a boarding school in Choma (180 km from Livingstone) for children with special needs. He will be at Lubasi in the school holidays.

Selection of children is done by the officers of the Social Welfare Department, who interview the remaining family members or whoever is looking after the child if at all, and ascertain that there is no one in a position to support the child. Children are recommended for selection by various community organisations working with AIDS victims and orphans. One of the children had been living on the street for 4 years. Boys and girls are admitted. If family members who can care for the child are later found, the child may be released to the family, as happened in the case of one boy who left us to live with an uncle in Lusaka.

Although Lubasi Home has no religious affiliation, the members of staff are all Christians from various churches and the children are being brought up in a Christian atmosphere.

In 2004 we are taking in 40 more children and the selection process is under way.