Episcopal Relief & Development has received a $1.4 million grant from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation to expand its integrated Early Childhood Development program (ECD) in Zambia and to extend the program into Kenya.
The four-year grant will enable the organization and its local partners, Zambia Anglican Council Outreach Programmes (ZACOP) and Anglican Church of Kenya Development Services (ADS-Nyanza), to help 7,600 families, including 14,880 children younger than 3, many of whom are affected by HIV/AIDS.
“We are extremely grateful for the continued partnership of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation and its commitment towards early childhood development and vulnerable children,” said Robert W. Radtke, president of Episcopal Relief & Development. “This generous grant recognizes the significance of our work and represents a strategic priority for Episcopal Relief & Development as we strengthen and expand the program in Zambia and Kenya.”
Episcopal Relief & Development is the recipient of one of 17 grants made by the Hilton Foundation’s Young Children Affected by HIV and AIDS Initiative in 2017, which is aimed at addressing the needs of families affected by the disease, particularly children ages 3 and younger.
“Young children impacted by HIV/AIDS can now receive care that supports their health and development,” said Felicia Sakala, ZACOP’s country director in Zambia. “Our children and their families are much better served when we work within the family unit and share essential parenting practices which family members can easily adopt.”
“Faith-based organizations perform a critical function in identifying and mobilizing community support for vulnerable children and their families,” said Samuel Omondi, executive director of ADS-Nyanza in Kenya. “ADS-Nyanza will be creating a consortium of faith-based organizations to reach out to the entire community to participate in activities that stimulate and nurture our children.”
Matthew Townsend is a Halifax-based freelance journalist and volunteer advocate for survivors of sexual misconduct in Anglican settings. He served as editor of the Anglican Journal from 2019 to 2021 and communications missioner for the Anglican Diocese of Quebec from 2019 to 2022. He and his wife recently entered catechism class in the Orthodox Church in America.
