## **Annual Report** **Footprints foundation for children in Zambia 21[st ] October 2024-30[th ] October 2025** **Table of Contents:** 1.Mission Statement 2.Introduction 3.Project Overview - 4.Achievements and impact - 5.Challenges faced - 6.Strategies and interventions - 7.Collaboration and Partnerships - 8.Financial Summary 9.Future and Recommendations 10.Conclusion ## **1.Mission Statement** Our mission is to reach out to Vulnerable children, particularly those living on the streets, and provide them with support, care, and guidance. We strive to ensure that each child has the opportunity for a brighter future by either facilitating their safe return to a nurturing 1 family environment or connecting them with trusted partner organizations when home conditions are unsuitable. We are pleased to present Footprints ‘Annual Report for 2024/2025, highlighting our ongoing commitment to transforming the lives of children on the move. Over the past year, we have made significant strides in addressing the needs and challenges faced by these children through targeted interventions and innovative strategies. 2 ## **2.Introduction:** In every city, there is a hidden problem: children on the move (children living on the streets). These children face many hardships and do not have the safety and support that most of us enjoy. They are not just numbers; they are young lives full of hopes and dreams. At Footprints Foundation, we believe every child deserves a chance to succeed. Over the past year, we have worked hard to help vulnerable children. We have created programs to meet their basic needs and provide them with skills and opportunities for a bright future. This report shares the story of our work together over the past year. It highlights the challenges we faced, the successes we achieved, and most importantly, the lives we have changed. As we look back at what we have done. We also see the work that still needs to be done. Let us join in to make sure every child has the chance to grow and thrive. ## **3.Project Overview:** 3 Footprints foundation for children in Zambia is dedicated to transforming the lives of street children through a comprehensive and compassionate approach that addresses their immediate needs and fosters long-term sustainable development. Our program focuses on several critical areas: street outreach, substance abuse rehabilitation, community outreach, reintegration, placement in care centers, healthcare support, burial assistance, and education through community schools and other learning institutions. Street Outreach: Our street outreach initiatives are designed to create trust and rapport with street children, enabling us to assess their individual circumstances and needs. Through regular visits and engagements, our outreach team provide immediate assistance, including sanitary pads, clothing, and safety resources, as well as connecting children to supportive services. Community Outreach: Understanding that sustainable change requires community involvement, we work closely with local families, community leaders, and organizations to raise awareness about the challenges faced by street children (Children on the move) Our community outreach programs aim to foster a supportive environment, encouraging collective responsibility and collaboration to protect vulnerable children. Reintegration: Reintegration is critical to preventing children from returning to the streets. We provide tailored support to help children re-establish connections with their families and communities. This includes counselling, mediation, and practical assistance to address any barriers to a stable home life, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for their development. Healthcare: Our commitment to healthcare is vital for the well-being of children living on the streets. We take these vulnerable young lives to hospitals, ensuring they receive the medical attention they desperately need. We do not just stop at treatment; we also provide essential medications and guidance for those living with HIV, by supporting their adherence to prescribed treatments, we empower these children to reclaim their health and their futures. Together, we are not just treating illnesses-we are nurturing hope and fostering resilience in the hearts of those who need it most. Burial Support: In the unfortunate event of a child’s death, we provide dignified burial support to families, ensuring that they can honor their loved 4 ones without the burden of financial constraints. This service is part of our commitment to compassionately support families of street children during their most challenging times. Education Through Community Schools: Education through community schools is a transformative initiative that empowers vulnerable children in the Misis compound. By engaging these young minds in meaningful activities, we provide a safe haven that keeps them off the streets and fosters their potential. Through learning and community support, we are building brighter futures for these children, enabling them to rise above their circumstances and become catalysts for change in their own lives and beyond. ## **4.Achievements and Impact** Throughout the year, we achieved several milestones that reflect our commitment to transforming the lives of the children on the move (street children): - Outreach Engagements: In our commitment to uplift the children on the move (street children), We conducted 174 outreach sessions during the 2024-2025 period, directly engaging with the children on the move (street children) and assessing their unique needs. These sessions allowed us to connect on a personal level with the children on the move, providing vital support and resources to those who need it most. 5 During these interactions, our dedicated team not only offered immediate assistance, such as providing first aid, purchasing prescribed medicine, Prenatal care registrations treatment, HIV testing, but also took the time to listen to the stories of each child, understanding their challenges and aspirations. We reached a total of 1000+ children, each with their own journey marked by resilience and hope. By addressing their physical and emotional needs through compassionate care, we aim to foster a sense of safety and belonging, demonstrating that they are not alone in their struggles. 6 - Feast of the Holy Cross Celebration with Street Children - The Holy Cross Sisters marked the Feast of the Holy Cross in a deeply meaningful way by celebrating with children living on the Streets. Together with the Mission Direct volunteers, Footprints trustees, and the Footprints team, the sisters shared the story and significance of the feast, reflecting on its message of love, sacrifice, and hope. In the true spirit of the Cross, they hosted a shared meal at Hungry Lion, Levy Mall, where more than forty children were welcomed and treated to a warm meal and joyful fellowship. The atmosphere was filled with laughter, gratitude, and a sense of belonging. This celebration beautifully demonstrated the power of faith in action uniting partners, children, and the staff at Hungry Lion in showing compassion and dignity to those often forgotten. 7 - Reintegration and Support - Throughout the year, we successfully reintegrated forty-one children back into their families, providing them with the support necessary to transition into stable home environments.3 boys were placed at fountain of hope, two boys were placed at Mthuzi Centre for the boys. Our team also focused on the critical health needs of vulnerable youth. During the year, seventy children who were seriously ill received the medical care and emotional support they needed. Our team played an active role in attending to each case, including taking the children to hospitals, purchasing prescribed medicines, arranging X- rays, and providing care for those who were admitted. Through these efforts, the children received timely treatment and compassionate care, helping to improve their health and well-being. 8 We have successfully empowered twenty families by transforming challenges into opportunities. During reintegration, some home visits revealed environments that were not conducive to supportive family structure, in response, we implemented initiatives that equipped these families to establish small businesses, enabling them to generate income and foster a nurturing home atmosphere. This innovation not only provided financial stability but also allowed parents to be present and engaged with their children, reinforcing the family bond and ensuring a brighter future for the next generation. By turning adversity into empowerment, we have made a lasting impact on these families, cultivating resilience and hope within their communities. - Participation in the Launch of Street Outreach Guidelines and the Blue-Ribbon Campaign In response to the growing number of children living and working on the streets, the Ministry of Community Development launched the street Outreach Guidelines and the Blue-Ribbon Campaign. Our director’s participation in this landmark event reaffirmed our strong commitment to working hand in hand with the Government of Zambia and other key stakeholders to safeguard vulnerable children. Through this collaboration, we continue to contribute to sustainable solutions that promote child protection, inclusion, and social reintegration. - Capacity Building and Staff Development - Our commitment to continuous learning remains strong. This year, Vasco and represented Footprints at a workshop held at African freedom mission, The workshop aimed to explore effective ways to work together and integrate volunteers into our existing programs. - Honoring the Lives That Inspire Our Mission We carry in our hearts the profund loss of four children Eunice, Mogollo, Ken, and Jack whose passing reminds us of both the fragility and the immense value of every young life. Their memory fuels our determination to expand and 10 strengthen our health and protection programs, driving us to reach more children with greater urgency and compassion. 11 - Trustee Visits Overview This year, our trustees visited Zambia from late August to 22[nd] September. During their visit, they guided and supported the Mission Direct volunteers for the September program, which ran from 7[th] to 20[th] September. The trustees concluded their visit and departed the country on 22nd September. We are pleased to share continued progress on our transitional housing project for vulnerable children in Zambia. Building on the foundation established in 2023/2024, our team and volunteers have remained dedicated to preparing the facility to serve as a safe and supportive temporary home for children in need of care and stability. During the 2024/2025 period, our efforts have focused on maintaining and improving the property while planning the next important phase-the construction of a wall fence. This development will significantly enhance the 12 safety and privacy of transitional housing, ensuring a secure environment for the children once it becomes operational. The borehole, tank, and pump installed the previous year continue to provide reliable access to clean water, contributing to the long-term sustainability of the facility. Although the transitional housing is not yet open, we are encouraged by the steady progress being made. With the upcoming construction of the wall fence, we are one step closer to realizing our vision of providing a safe, supportive home for vulnerable children in Zambia. ## **5.Challenges Faced:** As we reflect on the past year, it is important to recognize the challenges that have hindered our progress and impacted our mission. Addressing these issues 13 is critical as we strive for excellence and work towards our goals in the coming years. Here are some of the key challenges faced during 2024/2025: - During the 2024/2025 period, load shedding continued to pose major difficulties, disrupting daily operations and delaying planned activities. The intermittent power supply affected productivity and created additional logistical challenges for our team and volunteers. - Home tracing remained a challenge during the 2024/2025.Ideally, home tracing should be conducted before reintegrating children back into their families to ensure that each placement is safe and sustainable. However, due to resource constraints, our team has often had to combine the home tracing and reintegration processes. This approach, while necessary under the circumstances, limits the depth of family assessments and follow-up support that can be provided before reunification. Despite these challenges, our team remains dedicated to strengthening these processes and prioritizing the safety and well-being of every child in our care. - Family Situations: Some reintegration efforts were complicated by unfavorable home situations, necessitating additional support services for the children and their families. - Stigmatization: Cultural stigma associated with children on the move (street children) sometimes led to community resistance against reintegration efforts. - Case follow ups after reintegration has been a challenge due to lack of funding. ## **6.Strategies and interventions:** In response to the challenges encountered during 2024/2025, we have devised a series of targeted strategies and interventions aimed at enhancing our operational effectiveness and achieving our goals. - Comprehensive Team Development Programs: Implement training that focuses on building strong interpersonal relationships and collaborative skills within our team. This could include conflict resolution training and workshops on effective communication. 14 - Peer Recognition Systems: Establish a peer recognition program to promote a supportive work environment. Encouraging team members to acknowledge each other’s contributions can strengthen bonds and improve morale. - Conduct planning sessions at the beginning of each outreach initiative to set clear objectives, identify target audiences, and delineate roles and responsibilities within the outreach work. - Impact Reporting: Develop a reporting system to assess the outcomes of outreach efforts regularly, highlighting successes and areas for improvement. Communicate these results to motivate and inform all stakeholders. - Strengthened fundraising efforts through partnership, grants, and donor engagement to secure additional resources. - Comprehensive Family Support: Developed programs targeting families who are unstable, offering counseling, and financial support to improve home environment for reintegrated children. - Awareness Campaigns: Launched community awareness campaigns aimed at reducing stigma and encouraging community support for children on the move (street children). - Developed a comprehensive case management approach to meet the specific needs of each child. - Collaborated with local authorities and community organizations to promote inclusivity and social acceptance. - Established a monitoring and evaluation system to track the progress and impact of our interventions. ## **7.Collaboration and Partnerships:** **F** ootprints Partnered with several organizations to broaden our outreach and effectiveness. Collaboration continues to be at the heart of our impact. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to our partners for their consistent support and shared Vision. Collaborations included: - ✓ Eneless Patmos Community School - ✓ Nsansa Village - ✓ Vision of hope - ✓ St. Lawrence 15 - ✓ Kasisi Children’s Home - ✓ Mthunzi - ✓ Family Stone Church - ✓ Grace Ministries Church - ✓ CFM Foundation - ✓ CoLaborers International - ✓ African freedom mission - ✓ Mission Direct - ✓ Mother’s union St. peters Anglican church - ✓ Fmdm sisters - ✓ Holycross sisters Together with the dedicated volunteers from African Freedom Mission and Mission Direct, these partnerships have enabled us to reach a greater number of children in need of care and support. Together, we have touched lives, built capacity, and expanded our reach to more Vulnerable children and families. ## **8.Financial Summary:** Our financial summary reflects a year of careful resource management and strategic investment. We remain committed to transparency and accountability, ensuring that funds are directed towards direct program services. Footprints Foundation for Children in Zambia Charity No 1151710 Annual Accounts Year End 31st March 2025 Income £22,451.95 Expenses £23,686.70 Opening Bank Balance, £10,543.89 01/04/2024 Closing Bank Balance, £9,309.05 31/03/2025 16 ## **9.Future and Recommendations** Looking ahead, we plan to: - Transit Home for Street Children: We plan to build transitional housing facilities specifically for children on the move (street children), providing them with a safe environment where they can receive care and support as they reintegrate into society. This initiative will initially focus on urban areas and may expand to other provinces in Zambia. - Community Awareness Campaigns: We plan to visit different churches to raise awareness about street life and the support services we provide. These sessions will help communities understand the challenges faced by vulnerable children and encourage involvement in our programs. 17 - Geographic Outreach: Develop strategies to reach more underserved children in various provinces, ensuring that our services are accessible to those in greatest need. By partnering with local organizations, we can identify areas with high populations to street children and tailor our approaches accordingly. Our strategic goals for the upcoming year focus on sustainability, enhancing program quality, and increasing community involvement. - Local Fundraising Initiatives plan to engage communities I local fundraising activities, such as church collections, community events, and partnerships with local businesses, to generate resources for supporting street children and expanding our programs. - Our future strategies are guided by innovation, sustainability, and a deep commitment to our mission. We will continue to empower children, restoring their hope and potential, in collaboration with all our stakeholders. - Community Awareness Campaigns in Community Schools: Launch campaigns to raise awareness in community schools and the community on the issue of street children and the importance of providing support at community level, which can foster greater engagement and collaboration. - Advocacy for Policy Change: Engage in advocacy efforts aimed at influencing national policies to better support the needs of street children. - Staff Development: Recognizing the importance of a skilled and motivated workforce, the organization plans to invest in staff development programs. This will include training sessions, workshops, and seminars to enhance the knowledge and skills of the staff members. Recommendations - Build stronger partnerships with churches, schools, and health facilities to improve early identification and support of children on the streets. - Prioritize consistent home tracing, reintegration, and follow-up to ensure safe and sustainable placements for children. - Encourage local communities to actively participate in awareness and fundraising efforts, increasing both support and sustainability for street children’s programs. ## **Acknowledgments:** 18 We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of our programs over the past year. Our deepest thanks go to our dedicated volunteers, trustees, and staff, whose tireless commitment and compassion make it possible to reach and support vulnerable children every day. Together, we continue to make a lasting difference in the lives of children. ## • **The Impact of Your Support** We extend our heartfelt gratitude to you- our donors and sponsors-Who are the driving force behind our mission. Your generous financial support has been instrumental in transforming the lives of countless children. This past year, your contributions have enabled us to reunite children with their families, offering them the safety and love they so desperately need. Your support has also provided vital medical attention for children living on the streets, ensuring they receive essential prescription medications to reclaim their health and well-being. In moments of profound sorrow, your generosity has been a light of compassion and humanity. Because of your support, we have been able to honor the lives of the children we have lost with dignity and care-providing a full service at St. Ann’s that includes a casket, blankets, bedsheets, clothing, and essential items for a respectful farewell. Furthermore, your assistance has facilitated crucial services such as providing shoes, haircuts, clothing, and showers for children transitioning back into their families, helping them start anew with dignity and hope. Importantly, your contributions have empowered families of vulnerable children to start small businesses, enabling them to support and feed their children while remaining at home. This initiative not only fosters selfsufficiency but also creates a nurturing environment for the children to thrive. Your commitment to our cause shines brightly in every life we impact. We are profoundly thankful for your belief in our mission and your willingness to stand alongside us in this important work. Together, we are making a powerful difference in the lives of the most Vulnerable. Thank you for your unwavering support. 19 ## • **A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Volunteers** We are immensely grateful to all the dedicated volunteers who have selflessly devoted their time, skills, and energy to support children living on the streets. Your commitment, empathy, and mentoring have helped build a solid foundation for the personal and educational development of these children. Your effort has made a lasting impact on their lives **.** Thank you for being part of the Footprints family. 20 ## **10.Conclusion** As we conclude this year’s annual report, this year has reminded us of the strength that comes from unity, compassion, and shared purpose. Together, we have turned challenges into progress and sorrow into hope-ensuring that every life we touched was met with dignity and care. 21 Our journey is far from over. As we look to the year ahead, we do so with renewed commitment, guided by the lessons learned and inspired by the resilience of the children we serve. With the continued support of our partners and volunteers, we are confident that the impact we make together will grow even stronger. The future holds new challenges, but also endless possibilities-and together, we will continue to bring light, comfort, and hope where it is needed most. Bless Our Children. Guide their elders. Guard their interests. Keep them safe. 22