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Learn about Agness' story and how she contributes to #IMPACTTHATHEALS at KAI.
I have been working for Kids Alive Zambia for 23 years, and I believe my calling from God is to help vulnerable children who do not experience the love of their parents for various reasons. I believe I am called to fill in the missing gap for vulnerable children who need the love of a mother.
Given my experience with Kids Alive Zambia, I have come to be nicknamed 'Granma', a common name that I casually go by in the Kids Alive Zambia community.
In the year 2004, a Kids Alive International missionary couple sponsored me to pursue a short training in tailoring and empowered me with a sewing machine. I have used the sewing machine for 20 years now, and I use it to sew torn clothing materials such as clothes and curtains in the children’s homes.
Our job is difficult. Working with children from different backgrounds is very challenging as they come with all sorts of habits and mannerisms. Some will have habits of getting things without permission, others will use strong language, and others will just not follow instructions. To overcome these challenges, I have learned to adapt and treat each child as a special case by adjusting the care based on how the child is behaving.
We had a little girl who joined us when she was about 7 years old. She had never known her family members. When she came to our facility, we enrolled her into grade 1, and she successfully completed her basic education and pursued a diploma in teaching. She now stays on her own and teaches at a private school. This is one of the many stories that shows how our work creates opportunities and a good, self-sustaining lifestyle for the children that we serve.
Working for a nonprofit organization like Kids Alive is a calling that one has to discern. Without hearing this call from God, serving in the nonprofit sector becomes very challenging. Not all are called to serve in this capacity, and that is ok. I've found this work is about the reward God grants through us and the grace he brings and less about money or what we receive in return.
KAI seeks justice for the marginalized in classrooms and courtrooms, addressing root issues and promoting healing from trauma. We empower children, families, and communities through restorative education, protective care, family strengthening, and justice advocacy. KAI embodies “Justice that Heals. Bonds that Mend.”, walking with vulnerable children towards justice and healing in 7 countries. By being a beacon of hope for these children, they become beacons of hope for their families and communities.
About two years ago, we were having bath time for two twins who were about 5 or 6 years of age at the time. They had just joined us following the arrest of their mother, and one of them remarked, “Our mother never used to bathe us or make us bathe.” This, for me, was a reference point for the healing work that we do for the children. Most children will come without the experience of a caring parent, and when they come here, they feel loved and well cared for.
