Welcome to the CONTESA charity website. Please browse the site to find out how you can get involved with many of the projects and fund raising events that Contesa are involved in..

CONTESA was incorporated on 16th December 2004 as a company (No.5314471) limited by guarantee with no share capital and approved by The Charity Commissioners as a registered Charity (No.1109311) on the 4th May 2005. CONTESA is prohibited by its Memorandum of Association from making dividend payments or other distributions i.e. all CONTESA’s income must be used in compliance with its Mission and Vision.

CONTESA'S MISSION

To help alleviate the suffering of (aids) orphans and disadvantaged children in Zambia through the provision of basic shelter, food and primary education and training, regardless of their background, religion or race.

CONTESA'S VISION

To build basic shelters to accommodate Aids orphans and other orphans, providing at least one basic meal a day and working with institutions and volunteers to provide support and education.

CONTESA'S VALUES

To protect children’s rights and to alleviate social injustice and achieve sustainable results.

'GIVING SANCTUARY AND HOPE WITH LOVE, COMPASSION AND RESPECT'

CONTESA'S KEY QUALITIES

To be accountable, transparent, professional and to contribute and participate with enthusiasm and passion.

Esnat writes:

"I initially visited Zambia in April 2005 for three weeks on a research/study visit during which I explored and visited projects and orphanages with a view to deciding how best CONTESA should commence its work. This was a very sad time for me as the conditions I saw first hand were just heart breaking.

One immediate impression from my visit is that there is great urgency to assist in the feeding and provision of shelter for orphaned and disadvantaged children by all those who are able and willing to do so.

The agencies and support services are totally overwhelmed, I saw centres that struggle to provide even the basic needs for the children, due to a lack of funds and facilities. I visited one centre that could just manage to provide the children with one meal a month, so what do the children eat for other 29 days of the month? This Centre cooked the meals in an open space and the children sat down on the ground in the open to eat. Maybe this is acceptable in the warm and dry seasons but I can only imagine how terrible the conditions are in the rainy or cold seasons. This is just one example from many of the devastating and sad conditions and situations that I saw during my visit.

After visiting quite a few charities and children’s refuges I identified two centres that it is proposed CONTESA will support. These are the Chainda Centre, in Lusaka and the Church Mission, in Kabwe."

Since my April 2005 trip I have led a number of trustee accompanied visits to Zambia and to the CONTESA supported projects. The visits have all been reported in the CONTESA newsletters as have .the visits led by Margaret. 

Please read the November 2007-January 2008  and April - June 2008 Newsletters for the latest reports and feedback and some really emotional articles and photos, the photos have also been uploaded to the GALLERY