The Mwandi United Church of Zambia Orphans and Vulnerable Children Project was established in 2004 to support the orphans and vulnerable children of Mwandi Village educationally, nutritionally, socially and spiritually.

The Project seeks to be inclusive of all children without prejudice of religious affiliation, background or illness. The project aims to welcome vulnerable children from all parts of Mwandi regardless of their background or history.

There are a number of different programs run by the Project and most are based around the Drop-In Centre. The Feeding Programme Garden and School Support are among the major programs run out of the OVC Centre. Over 100 children are provided with one balanced meal six days per week; 750 children are supported in school; the Garden provides fresh produce to the feeding programme and will, in the future, provide income to the Project.

Mwandi Village

Mwandi Village is situated on the Zambezi River in the Western Province of Zambia - Barotse Land, 150km west of Livingstone and 70km east of Sesheke Town and Katima - border town into Namibia.

Inhabited by the very traditional Lozi tribe the village has a population of approximately 10,000 people. The people speak both Lozi and English depending on the age group. The village is well known for fish and its royal establishment. Senior Chief Inyambo Yeta of the Lozi tribe resides in the Mwandi Royal Establishment.

One in four people have HIV/Aids and life expectancy for men is 32 and for women 37. Due to this high occurrence of HIV/Aids there are around 2500 orphans in the village. The community has access to antiviral medication. The main source of income is fishing and agriculture. Women have an average of 7.5 children. There are 10 different denominations of churches in the village as well as many traditional healers (Witch Doctors).