By Brenda Erdahl
Action for Children Zambia, a mission started by Maple Lake native Carol McBrady is looking to make the most of a matching $10,000 grant to get children off the streets in Zambia, Africa, and provide them with a home, food, and an education.
McBrady wrote in a letter recently: “I am appealing to you for help with our general operations and education expenses for 2024. We will have four students attending university and another four students in trade school. That will be in addition to the 70 children that live under our care. It’s the perfect time for giving as we have a match grant under way and your donation will be doubled. With each gift we receive we are able to help more homeless and abandoned children get off the streets. “They receive what is needed to move into productive futures. Children like Cephas, who ran away after his siblings died of starvation and was found living in the sewer. Cephas will be in grade nine next year and can’t wait to go to college one day. With your help, I can make that dream come true for him.”
Specific needs at this time include:
College tuition for four students, vocational training for four students, laptops for college students, tuition for one primary and one secondary student, food and hygiene products for the children, payroll, internet service, medicine for Julius, drivers license fees for three students and comprehensive automobile insurance.
“We are deeply grateful for our donors and for each one of you,” McBrady wrote. “Your support – monthly, quarterly, annually, and more are greatly appreciated. Your giving changes the lives of children.”
McBrady also gave an update on all the good things that happened in 2023.
“In the ebb and flow of AFCZ, 2023 was definitely a year of ‘flowing,’” she said. “We are filled with gratitude for the many great things that have helped us grow this past year. Redemption House is almost complete, and we look forward to having rooms and beds for the seven students from Kulanga Bana that will be entering grade eight. This will open up the beds at Kulanga Bana for new kids from the streets. The New Salvation Home, built on our farm, is working out superbly. We have already received four kids. One of the four has returned to his family and the other three are awaiting their very first Christmas gift ever.”
For more information on McBrady’s work in Africa, visit www.afczambia.org. Donations can be made at that website by clicking the “donate now” button or by mailing a check to: Action for Children Zambia, PO Box 353, Maple Lake, MN 55358.