About Us

                                                                   Arise Ruth Foundation (ARF)

Context and Need

According to the World Bank's 2025 Zambia Poverty and Equity Assessment, Zambia remains among the poorest and most unequal countries globally. In 2022, about 64.3 percent of the population, or 12.6 million people, lived on less than US$2.15 per day. Inequality remains high, with a Gini Index of 51.5, and poverty in rural communities is estimated to be as high as 85 percent.

Despite periods of economic growth, many vulnerable households still face significant social and economic hardships. These challenges disproportionately affect women, children, and youth, limiting their access to education, healthcare, economic opportunities, and social support.

In response, Arise Ruth Foundation complements government efforts by implementing community-driven programs that address the practical, social, emotional, and economic needs of vulnerable individuals and families, helping them build resilient and sustainable futures.

Restoring Opportunity • Dignity • Hope

Arise Ruth Foundation (ARF) is a faith-based, community-driven organization dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable women, children, and families throughout Zambia. Established in response to widespread poverty and inequality, ARF partners with government institutions and local stakeholders to deliver holistic, sustainable interventions that restore dignity, hope, and opportunity.

Through community-centered programs, ARF addresses educational, economic, health, and psychosocial challenges, empowering individuals and families to achieve long-term self-reliance and well-being.

                                                                          Our Programs

Education and Hygiene Program

ARF supports more than 200 orphaned and vulnerable children by providing essential educational materials, including school bags, books, pens, pencils, rulers, erasers, chalk for teachers, shoes, and school uniforms. To promote school attendance and dignity, ARF also provides sanitary pads to school-age girls, helping prevent absenteeism during their menstrual periods caused by a lack of menstrual hygiene products.

In addition, the Foundation distributes toothpaste, toothbrushes, and soap to both girls and boys, promoting good personal hygiene and overall well-being. These interventions help ensure that children remain in school, participate fully in their education, and are better prepared for academic success and a brighter future.

This initiative, the Lyn Callander Education and Hygiene Project, is named in honor and memory of Lyn Callander, a dedicated donor whose generosity and commitment to supporting vulnerable children left a lasting impact. Following her passing in 2025, ARF continues the project as a tribute to her compassion, legacy, and unwavering support for children's education and well-being.

Nutrition and Health

The Foundation provides a school feeding program for children enrolled in its education support program, offering nutritious peanut butter porridge, healthy snacks, and clean drinking water. This initiative improves children's nutrition, concentration, and overall well-being and encourages regular school attendance.

Many caregivers and families supported by ARF face significant economic challenges and struggle to provide adequate meals because of high poverty rates. By ensuring that children receive nutritious food at school, the Foundation helps ease the burden on vulnerable households and creates an environment where children can learn and thrive.

The Nutrition and Health Program is fully funded by the Founder of Arise Ruth Foundation (ARF). The Founder's commitment and generosity continue to support the health, education, and development of vulnerable children.

Through this intervention, ARF helps improve health, enhance educational outcomes, and create a brighter future for the children and families it serves.

Women's Economic Empowerment

ARF empowers women by providing entrepreneurship and business management training that equips them with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to start and grow income-generating activities. Through practical training, mentorship, and start-up support, women are encouraged to develop sustainable livelihoods that improve their economic well-being and that of their families.

Women are enrolled in the program through an introductory meeting that helps them identify their gifts, talents, skills, and interests. This self-discovery process helps participants identify viable business opportunities that align with their strengths and their communities’ needs. The program emphasizes starting small and using resources already available at home or in the local environment, enabling women to launch businesses with minimal capital.

Training and support are provided across a range of business sectors, such as:

• Tailoring and fashion design
• Baking and catering
• Juice production
• Photography
• Farming and gardening
• Packaging services
• Waste management and recycling
• Other locally relevant enterprises

The program promotes financial independence, economic resilience, and self-reliance, enabling women to better support their families, meet their children's needs, and contribute positively to their communities. By strengthening women's economic capacity, ARF helps break the cycle of poverty and creates opportunities for long-term social and economic transformation.

Measuring Success

The success of the Women's Economic Empowerment Program is measured by participants' ability to establish and sustain profitable businesses. A key indicator of success is a business reaching its break-even point, when revenues cover operating costs. Based on ARF's experience, this typically takes up to three years, depending on the type of business, market conditions, and the participant's level of engagement and growth.

Mental Health Support

Recognizing the profound impact of trauma, loss, abuse, and other life challenges, ARF provides counseling, psychosocial support, and mental health services to vulnerable children, caregivers, and families. The program fosters emotional healing, resilience, and well-being, helping individuals overcome adversity and regain hope for the future.

A key component of this initiative is the Pain and Healing Project, inspired by the book Pain and Healing, authored by Rebecca Mvula Hertig, Founder of Arise Ruth Foundation. The book addresses a range of life-changing experiences and challenges, including:

• Bereavement and death of loved ones
• Divorce and family breakdown
• Rape and sexual abuse
• Loss of employment
• Business loss and financial setbacks
• Mistreatment and abuse within the home
• Serious illness and loss of health

Through the Pain and Healing Project, ARF provides free one-on-one counseling, mentorship, and emotional support to children, caregivers, and other community members facing these challenges. When specialized care is needed, ARF facilitates referrals to appropriate healthcare facilities, mental health professionals, and other relevant support institutions to ensure individuals receive the assistance they need.

By creating safe spaces for healing, reflection, and personal growth, ARF helps individuals rebuild their confidence, strengthen their relationships, and move forward with renewed purpose, dignity, and hope.

Community Development

ARF works closely with schools, churches, health facilities, community leaders, and other stakeholders to strengthen communities and promote sustainable social change. Through collaborative partnerships and active community engagement, the Foundation identifies local needs and develops practical interventions to address the unique challenges faced by vulnerable individuals and families.

As part of this innovative approach, ARF provides targeted donations and community support initiatives tailored to identified needs and priorities. These may include educational materials, hygiene supplies, health-related support, food assistance, and other resources that support the community's well-being and development.

By partnering with local institutions and community members, ARF fosters community ownership, strengthens local capacity, and creates lasting solutions that restore dignity, hope, and opportunity to vulnerable populations.

Geographic Reach

ARF currently operates in Lusaka and Copperbelt Provinces in Zambia, serving primarily peri-urban and urban communities. Through its programs, the Foundation reaches vulnerable children, women, and families by addressing their educational, health, psychosocial, and economic needs.

With increased partnerships, resources, and community support, ARF is committed to expanding its services to additional provinces and underserved communities throughout Zambia. The Foundation's goal is to extend its impact and bring hope, dignity, and opportunity to even more vulnerable children and families across the country.

                                                   Future Plans and Partnership Opportunities

Supporting Our Programs

ARF welcomes support from individuals, organizations, churches, corporations, and development partners for one or more of its programs. Through financial contributions, material donations, strategic partnerships, and volunteer support, donors can help transform the lives of vulnerable children, women, and families across Zambia.

Every contribution enables ARF to expand its impact and continue restoring opportunity, dignity, and hope for those who need it most.

Future Plans and Sustainability Initiatives

As part of its long-term vision for community transformation and sustainability, ARF plans to pursue the following initiatives:

Construction of a School

ARF seeks to establish a school that provides quality, affordable education for vulnerable and disadvantaged children. The school will create a safe, supportive learning environment where children can develop academically, socially, and spiritually.

Entrepreneurial Development Hub

The Foundation plans to establish a multi-purpose entrepreneurship center to serve as a training and innovation hub for women, youth, and aspiring entrepreneurs. The center will offer space for skills development, business incubation, mentorship, networking, and enterprise growth, helping participants build sustainable livelihoods.

Agricultural Development and Food Security

To enhance sustainability and reduce food insecurity among vulnerable families, ARF plans to invest in farming and agricultural activities. By growing its own food, the Foundation aims to support its school feeding and nutrition programs and create additional opportunities for skills training, employment, and income generation in the communities it serves.

These initiatives reflect ARF's commitment to creating sustainable solutions that empower communities and improve lives for generations to come.

                                                         Strategic Goals and Objectives (2026-2030)

Goal 1: Increase Access to Education

Specific:

Provide educational support to vulnerable children through school fees, educational supplies, and attendance support.

Measurable:

Support at least 150 vulnerable children by providing school fees, uniforms, books, and other learning materials.

Achievable:

Partner with 5-10 local schools, community leaders, and education stakeholders in Zambia to identify and support eligible children.

Relevant:

Education is fundamental to breaking the cycle of poverty and creating opportunities for long-term personal, social, and economic development.

Time-Bound:

Achieve this goal within 36 months.

Goal 2: Improve Essential Needs Support

Specific:

Address the basic needs of vulnerable children and families through nutrition, clean water, hygiene, and access to basic healthcare.

Measurable:

Provide regular nutrition support to 100 households.

Support 2 clean water or sanitation projects.

Provide hygiene and basic healthcare assistance to 300 individuals.

Achievable:

Implement activities through partnerships with local clinics, healthcare providers, community organizations, churches, and other stakeholders.

Relevant:

Meeting basic needs improves health, educational outcomes, family stability, and overall community well-being.

Time-Bound:

Achieve this goal within 3 years.

Goal 3: Strengthen Families and Community Capacity

Specific:

Implement family-centered and community-based programs to strengthen resilience, caregiving capacity, and community support systems.

Measurable:

Establish 4 community support initiatives.

Train at least 50 caregivers and community volunteers.

Achievable:

Leverage local leadership, community participation, and culturally appropriate program models.

Relevant:

Strong families and empowered communities are essential to sustainable development and long-term positive change.

Time-Bound:

Complete by the end of Year 3.

Goal 4: Build Sustainable Partnerships and Funding

Specific:

Develop and strengthen partnerships with donors, sponsors, corporations, and organizations to support ARF's programs and long-term sustainability.

Measurable:

Secure 20 recurring donors.

Establish 5 strategic organizational partnerships.

Raise US$75,000 in program funding.

Achievable:

Implement through community outreach, donor engagement, storytelling, fundraising campaigns, and transparent reporting.

Relevant:

Diversified funding and strong partnerships are essential to sustain and expand ARF's impact.

Time-Bound:

Achieve within 36 months.

Goal 5: Strengthen Organizational Growth and Governance

Specific:

Strengthen ARF's governance, operational systems, and organizational capacity to ensure accountability, effectiveness, and sustainability.

Measurable:

Establish a fully functioning Board of Directors.

Develop and implement key organizational policies and procedures.

Publish annual impact and financial reports.

Achievable:

Implement in accordance with nonprofit governance standards and best practices.

Relevant:

Strong governance and accountability foster stakeholder confidence, organizational credibility, and long-term sustainability.

Time-Bound:

Complete by the end of Year 3.

Goal 6: Build a School and Entrepreneurship Center

Specific:

Establish a school for vulnerable children and a multi-purpose Entrepreneurship Center that provides education, vocational skills training, business development support, mentorship, and enterprise incubation services for women and youth.

Measurable:

Construct and operationalize one school for vulnerable children.

Establish one Entrepreneurship Center equipped for training and business incubation.

Enroll at least 200 children in the school.

Train at least 100 women and youth entrepreneurs.

Support the establishment of at least 50 small businesses.

Achievable:

Implement through partnerships with donors, government agencies, corporate sponsors, community leaders, and development partners, leveraging local expertise and resources.

Relevant:

Access to quality education and entrepreneurial opportunities promotes self-reliance, creates economic opportunities, reduces poverty, and contributes to sustainable community development.

Time-Bound:

Complete construction and begin full operations within 5 years.

Goal 7: Promote Food Security and Agricultural Sustainability

Specific:

Develop agricultural projects that produce food for ARF programs while creating livelihoods and skills-development opportunities for beneficiaries.

Measurable:

Establish at least one community farm.

Produce food to support ARF's nutrition and feeding programs.

Train at least 50 women and youth in sustainable farming practices.

Generate additional income through the sale of surplus produce.

Achievable:

Use available land, agricultural partnerships, community participation, and sustainable farming methods.

Relevant:

Agriculture strengthens food security, supports nutrition programs, creates income-generating opportunities, and improves organizational sustainability.

Time-Bound:

Establish and operationalize the farming project within 5 years.

Goal 8: Promote Digital Literacy and Technology Skills

Specific:

Equip children, youth, women, and community members with essential digital literacy and technology skills to improve educational outcomes, employability, entrepreneurship, and access to information.

Measurable:

Establish a Digital Literacy Training Program.

Train at least 300 children, youth, and adults in basic digital skills.

Provide program participants with access to computers and digital learning resources.

Support at least 50 women and youth entrepreneurs in using digital tools for business development, marketing, and communication.

Achievable:

Implement the program through partnerships with schools, technology companies, educational institutions, volunteers, and community stakeholders, and by using available digital learning platforms and resources.

Relevant:

Digital literacy is an essential life and workforce skill that expands educational opportunities, increases employability, supports entrepreneurship, and enables individuals to participate effectively in an increasingly digital world.

Time-Bound:

Establish and operationalize the Digital Literacy Program, training at least 300 participants within 5 years.

Goal 9: Promote Mental Health and Psychosocial Well-being

Specific:

Through the Pain and Healing Project and related interventions, provide accessible mental health, counseling, and psychosocial support services to vulnerable children, women, caregivers, and families affected by trauma, grief, abuse, loss, and other life challenges.

Measurable:

Provide counseling and psychosocial support services to at least 500 individuals.

Conduct 20 mental health awareness and healing sessions across communities, schools, and churches.

Train at least 50 caregivers, volunteers, and community leaders in basic psychosocial support and mental health awareness.

Establish a referral network with at least 5 healthcare and social service providers to access specialized support.

Achievable:

Implement the program through trained counselors, community volunteers, healthcare partners, educational institutions, and the Pain and Healing Project, using existing community support structures.

Relevant:

Good mental health is essential to personal well-being, family stability, educational achievement, productivity, and community development. Addressing emotional and psychological challenges helps individuals build resilience and lead healthier, more productive lives.

Time-Bound:

Provide services to at least 500 beneficiaries and establish sustainable mental health support systems within 5 years.