Special Hope Network

Special Hope Network is a faith-based organization caring for children with intellectual disabilities in Zambia by equipping families and caregivers to provide these children with a loving home, holistic health, and exceptional education and therapies. We believe every child has a right to: Home- where they are loved, nurtured and challenged Health- where they are cared for body, soul and mind Education- where they can learn to achieve their fullest potential. Sadly, because of specific circumstances in Southern Africa, these children are left particularly vulnerable. Most communities consider children who have a disability a curse—a punishment for his or her parent's wrongdoing. Children are often hidden away and denied basic care. As a result 80% of these children will die before they are 5 years old. Even if a child were allowed out into their community, they would find a staggering lack of resources. There are very few medical professionals educated in the field of disability, and even fewer willing to give a child with a disability quality care. As for education, most government schools do not have any sort of Special Education programs- the only examples of such programs exist in community-based schools (funded privately), and capacities at these schools are often very limited.