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Hello, my name is Kevin Meadows and during the summer of 2007 I traveled to the southern African nation of Namibia. Once there I volunteered at the Children of Zion Village near the small town of Katima Mulilo.

Katima Mulilo is in a region known as the Caprivi Strip. It is an intersection of trade routes connecting several southern African countries. Despite its favorable location, scenic beauty, and exotic wildlife it also has one of the highest HIV/AIDS infection rates among adults in Namibia and the whole of Africa. According to a Red Cross article, “The Caprivi region is also one of the hardest hit parts of Namibia, with 43 per cent HIV/AIDS prevalence, compared to 22.5 per cent nationwide.” The disease hits the most productive members of society making it difficult to support the economy. It also leaves thousands of children without parents. According to UNICEF, “more than 20 per cent of youth under 19 years old have been orphaned because family members have died from the virus.” While extended family and communities will try to support these children, the over strapped communities are too often unable leaving children without medical care, school, adequate nutrition, or sometimes even a roof over their head.

Luckily through the generosity of individuals across the globe there are places of hope for some of these orphans. Children of Zion Village is one such place. The Village is a school, doctor’s office, church, and home for fifty-five children ages one through seventeen. The children there receive education, housing, medical care, and support that they would not otherwise receive. Two permanent missionaries, 22 nationals, and a combination of short term and long-term volunteers operate the Village. I was a long-term volunteer for about nine weeks. I taught the primary level class, coached soccer, taught drawing and photography, patched up cuts, milked goats, hunted civets, ate strange foods, crossed several borders, drove a mini bus with 12 kids and a trailer cross-country, and fell in love with 55 wonderful kids.

You can read about my adventures by following the link to my blog. You can see pictures by following the link to the photo gallery.

You can also find out about the work I am preparing to do in Costa Rica by clicking here or visiting the link at the top of the page.

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