User:Topnova/CONTESA

CONTESA is a UK registered charity (reg no 1109311) established in 2005 to 'Support AIDS orphans in Zambia - Giving Sanctuary and Hope with Love, Compassion and Respect'. CONTESA initially concentrated on feeding programmes but with progress and expansion now has complementary educational programmes as well as health and home care based programmes and has a philosophy of 'Feeding the body and mind'. CONTESA is registerd with the UK Charity Commission and also the sister charity CONTESA Hong Kong is a registered charity in Hong Kong. CONTESA is also a member of BOND (British Overseas Non-Governmental Organisations).

ORIGINS

CONTESA was established out of friendship and love and the name is a combination of CONnie Tatum and ESnat Avon. Connie was a missionary in Angola in the 1950's and also worked in Zambia to fund her passage home. Although due to ill health Connie never returned to Africa, she mantained her love of Africa and hope for it's people. Esnat was born and raised in Zambia, having attended in colonial times the famous Chipembi Girls School. Connie was a close friend of Esnat (nee Phiri) and on Connie's death in 2004 Esnat decided to devote a small legacy from Connie and some of her own funds to a very emotional issue close to her heart, AIDS orphans in Zambia.

PROGRAMMES and PROJECTS

CONTESA initially established feeding programmes in Kabwe and Lusaka. However as CONTESA grew these programmes were supported with educational programmes and with several building projects (school blocks, kitchen/dining rooms, water, ablution blocks etc). CONTESA works with local voluntary and self help groups and organisations. CONTESA does not have any paid employees in the UK or Zambia but does make allowances to organisations for cooks, teachers etc. Currently CONTESA feeding programmes assist 750+ orphans and vulnerable children including 50 malnourished under 5's at the Chawama Clinic, the educational programmes support 2000+ orphans & disadvantaged children. CONTESA also supports 40+ families (food and care) through it's Home Based Care Programme at Kabwe and is funding for 2 years (2011 and 2012) the Childrens Clinic at Our Lady's Hospice, Kalingalinga Shanty Compound, Lusaka and a special programme at the Youth Development Organisation, Choma.

RECONITION and AWARDS

CONTESA was recognised when it's founder Esnat Avon won the UKZambians Excellence Charity Award at the Zambian High Commission on 17th December 2010 and has also been recognised through the attendance at it's charity events by the Zambian High Commissioner in London and by the Ambassadors to China and Malaysia (to HK events).