Eli & Chileshe

When baby Eli arrived at Chileshe’s home, he was small, quiet, and unsure of the world around him. His tiny fingers clung to her shirt, searching for safety. Chileshe gently held him close, whispering prayers of comfort. As an emergency foster care parent with Alliance for Children Everywhere Zambia (ACEZ), she knew that love could begin to heal what fear and instability had taken away.

Just a year earlier, Chileshe had walked a very different path. Overwhelmed and uncertain, she once considered placing her own daughter for adoption. But through counseling and encouragement from the ACEZ team, she discovered the power of family-based care and came to believe that every child should grow up in a safe, loving home. That moment changed her life forever, inspiring her to open her home to children in crisis. 

Through ACEZ’s training and ongoing support, she received resources, medical assistance, and the confidence to care for children in need so she could focus on what mattered most: giving them love and stability. Each child placed in her home, like baby Eli, has reminded her that fostering is more than a responsibility; it is a calling rooted in compassion and faith.

Today, Eli is thriving. He laughs easily, plays with Chileshe’s daughter, and sleeps soundly each night knowing he is safe. Chileshe’s compassion has not only transformed Eli’s story but has also inspired her neighbors, many of whom now dream of becoming foster parents themselves.

“Fostering isn’t just about providing a home,” Chileshe says softly. “It’s about having a heart for children and showing them love when they need it most.”

Your gift can help more children like Eli experience love, safety, and security. Your support provides the care, resources, and hope children need to grow, thrive, and simply be children again.