Gilbert Phiri, Zambia Director of Public Prosecutions & Bestone Banda, Director of Kids Alive Zambia
New agreement between National Prosecution Authority and Kids Alive integrates legal action with therapy and care, setting a new model for protecting children across Africa
LUSAKA, Zambia (April 23, 2026) — In a milestone moment for child protection in Zambia, the National Prosecution Authority (NPA) and Kids Alive Zambia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen how cases involving children are handled, ensuring that justice is pursued alongside care, dignity, and long-term restoration in one of the world’s youngest nations.
This partnership establishes a coordinated approach that brings together legal representation, psychological support, and social services for children navigating the justice system.
While collaborations addressing child protection exist globally, this level of formal integration between a national prosecution authority and an organization providing both legal and psychosocial support at the case level is rare, and it is believed to be among the first of its kind in Africa.
Kids Alive Zambia children joining the fight to prevent child abuse
A Critical Moment for Zambia’s Children
Zambia is one of the youngest countries in the world, with more than half its population under the age of 18. Yet many children face significant barriers to safety and justice:
In 2025, the NPA recorded 1906 child victims and witnesses, the majority of whom were victims of sexual violence.
1 in 3 females have experienced sexual violence before the age of 18.
42% of girls in Zambia are said to be married before the age of 18.
When systems are strained, children often carry the weight. They face not only trauma from abuse, but also additional distress as they navigate complex legal processes.
Gilbert Phiri, Zambia Director of Public Prosecutions
"This MOU is a clear and compelling step toward establishing a collaborative framework that strengthens the prosecution of sexual violence cases against children, while ensuring child victims and witnesses receive the care, protection, and dignity they deserve. Justice, in these circumstances, must go beyond conviction. It must also restore, protect, and empower.” - Gilbert Phiri, Zambia Director of Public Prosecutions
Transforming the Experience of Justice
Through this agreement, Kids Alive Zambia will work alongside prosecutors to:
Provide direct legal representation for children in criminal cases who have been victims of sexual or physical abuse
Deliver trauma-informed therapy and counseling before, during, and after court proceedings
Support children and families through social work services, preparation, and ongoing care
Help create child-friendly court environments that reduce retraumatization
This integrated model ensures that children are not left to navigate the justice system alone, but are supported at every step.
"Because of this agreement, together we are strengthening the prosecution of cases involving violence against children, while also ensuring that children receive trauma-informed care, psychosocial support, and long-term rehabilitation. This means that a child will not walk through the legal process alone. They will be supported with counseling, care, and people who see them not just as a case, but as a child worthy of dignity and healing.” - Rachel Davidson, Chief Operating Officer of Kids Alive International
Rachel Davidson, Kids Alive International COO, Bestone Banda, Director of Kids Alive Zambia, & Gilbert Phiri, Zambia Director of Public Prosecutions
This approach builds on proven work implemented by Kids Alive in other countries. In Guatemala, this integrated model has contributed to significantly improved outcomes for children, including increased conviction rates and stronger long-term healing. The model was later expanded in Peru through partnerships with national and local justice systems. Zambia now represents the third country where this model is being implemented, marking a continued expansion of a proven, child-centered approach designed for replication and long-term impact. Across these contexts, integrated legal and care approaches have consistently led to stronger outcomes for children, including increased case resolution and greater long-term healing.
As these systems work together, children begin to heal. They rediscover their dignity and identity. They find their voice in the courtroom and beyond. They begin to believe that their story is not over. In Guatemala, when this model is in place, conviction rates have increased from 3 percent to more than 70 percent and continue to grow, leading to greater accountability, justice, and healing.
A Model for the Future
The partnership comes at a time when Zambia’s leaders are calling for stronger, more coordinated action to address violence against children.
Rachel Davidson, Kids Alive International COO & Bestone Banda, Director of Kids Alive Zambia signing the MOU with the Zambia Prosecutor's Office
“Cases of child sexual abuse are not just numbers or dockets. They are lived realities of children,” Phiri added. “They require a collaborative, multi-sectoral approach.”
By aligning prosecutors, legal advocates, and care providers, this initiative represents a shift toward a more holistic justice system, one that prioritizes both accountability and healing.
Kids Alive Zambia Country Director Bestone Banda emphasized the broader impact of the agreement:
“This partnership supports a justice system that not only prosecutes offenders, but also safeguards children and supports their recovery, ensuring they are protected, heard, and cared for throughout the process.”
A Pioneering Step Forward
By formally integrating prosecution with therapy and coordinated case support, this partnership demonstrates what is possible when systems work together to serve the best interests of the child.
What is being built in Zambia is more than a program. It is a model.
“This partnership represents a model of collaboration that brings together justice and care in a way that is both practical and deeply impactful,” Davidson said. “What is being built here in Zambia is not only important. It is pioneering.”
As Zambia continues to strengthen its systems and invest in its future, this agreement marks a significant step toward ensuring that children are not only protected, but given the opportunity to heal, find their voice, and move forward with dignity. Partnerships like this are made possible through the ongoing support of those committed to seeing children experience both justice and restoration.
Read more through locally recognized media outlets in Zambia:
Kids Alive International is a global nonprofit dedicated to transforming trauma into triumph for children who have experienced abuse, neglect, and injustice.
Working across six countries—Guatemala, Peru, Haiti, Lebanon, Zambia, and Kenya—Kids Alive partners with local communities, governments, and leaders to create environments where children are protected, their voices are heard, and healing can begin.
Through an integrated approach, Kids Alive helps restore bonds that mend, strengthens access to justice that heals, and equips children with skills that matter for a stronger future. From the moment a child is identified as vulnerable to the long-term process of healing and growth, the focus remains the same: ensuring each child is safe, valued, and equipped to move forward with dignity and hope.
At the heart of this work is a belief that every child is created with inherent dignity and worth, and that when justice is pursued with care and compassion, restoration is possible.
Justice Leaders in Ucayali Gather for Trauma-Informed Care Workshop to Strengthen Support for Children
Pucallpa, Peru — Justice and child protection leaders from across the Ucayali region recently gathered for a trauma-informed care workshop designed to strengthen how children and families affected by violence are supported within the justice system.
Hosted in collaboration with Kids Alive Peru, International Justice Mission (IJM), and the Peruvian Superior Court of Justice, the gathering brought together 38 professionals from across the justice, protection, and mental health sectors — including judges, prosecutors, public defenders, police officers, psychologists, and the President of the Superior Court of Justice in Ucayali. By convening key decision-makers and frontline practitioners in the same space, the workshop created an opportunity to deepen collaboration and equip leaders with tools to provide more compassionate, coordinated responses for children who have experienced trauma.
One of the themes that resonated strongly among participants was the importance of caring for those who care for others. Professionals who accompany survivors of violence often carry immense emotional pressure and demanding workloads. Through guided exercises and discussion, participants explored how strengthening their own well-being can help ensure that the children and families they serve receive empathetic, thoughtful support.
Karen Salgado, Coordinator of KAI Lighthouse Hope Center in Pucallpa.
During the workshop, justice and protection leaders talked about how improved coordination across institutions can reduce unnecessary procedures and prevent children from reliving painful experiences during investigations and legal processes. These conversations highlighted the importance of trauma-informed practices that prioritize dignity, emotional safety, and timely access to justice.
“Bringing together leaders from across the justice and protection system demonstrates a shared commitment to strengthening how children are supported in our region,” said Marlene Arroyo, Country Director of Kids Alive Peru. “When judges, prosecutors, defenders, and mental health professionals work in closer coordination and understand the impact of trauma, the system can respond with greater care, clarity, and compassion for every child seeking protection.”
For many participants, a reflective exercise during the workshop stood out as a meaningful moment. Justice operators were invited to evaluate their own well-being and consider how the pressures of their daily work affect their ability to accompany survivors. The activity underscored the importance of ensuring that those responsible for protecting children also receive support, training, and spaces for renewal.
Kids Alive Peru regularly works alongside government institutions and community partners to strengthen the systems designed to protect children. By building relationships across the justice, protection, and mental health sectors, initiatives like this workshop help create a more coordinated network of care — one that reduces gaps between institutions and helps ensure that children receive the support and protection they deserve.
Participants left the gathering with a renewed commitment to trauma-informed approaches that place children’s well-being at the center of every process. As collaboration continues to grow among institutions in Ucayali, leaders expressed hope that these shared efforts will lead to more compassionate responses and more effective protection for children across the region.
About Kids Alive International
Kids Alive International is a global organization committed to walking alongside children and families through prevention, advocacy, and care. Founded in 1916, Kids Alive partners with local communities, governments, and institutions to strengthen systems that protect children and support long-term healing.
In Peru, Kids Alive operates through Niños a la Vida, working in close collaboration with justice system partners to support children affected by sexual violence. Through legal advocacy, therapeutic care, and capacity-building with professionals, Kids Alive Peru helps create safer pathways for children to access justice while prioritizing dignity, restoration, and hope.
Across all the countries where Kids Alive serves, the organization remains focused on building sustainable, locally led solutions that protect children, strengthen families, and contribute to healthier communities.
Inspired to be part of this movement for justice that heals? Learn more and explore ways to get involved at www.kidsalive.org/ways-to-give.
For media inquiries, interviews, or more information about news stories like this one, please contact us at news@kidsalive.org.
Amid Conflict in Lebanon, Communities Rally Around Children & Families
Beirut, Lebanon — March 2026 — As conflict escalates across Lebanon, families in the communities where Kids Alive serves are navigating daily uncertainty while leaning on one another for support and stability.
Bombings in several regions have disrupted daily life across the country. Schools have closed, travel between cities has become difficult, and many families are staying indoors as they wait and hope for peace. In some neighborhoods, families have opened their homes to relatives fleeing heavily targeted areas in the south.
Within these communities, local staff, families, and supporters are working together to ensure children continue receiving care and encouragement during an unsettling time.
In southern Lebanon, the Kids Alive New Horizons Center has temporarily paused operations due to heavy bombing in the region. Even so, staff remain in close contact with students and families by phone, checking on their safety and wellbeing whenever possible.
In Beirut, where Kids Alive operates the Dar El Awlad school, residential program, and a women’s ministry, teams are adjusting day by day as conditions continue to change.
Earlier this week, after several days of closure, staff gathered to consider whether reopening the Dar El Awlad school might offer children a small sense of normalcy during a frightening and uncertain season. Together they decided to reopen the school for a shortened day so students and staff could return home safely before potential evening strikes.
For many students, simply walking back into the classroom was emotional. Teachers could see the weight of the past week written on their faces. Some students struggled to focus as they processed the events unfolding around them.
One student quietly voiced what many were feeling: “Why should we study if we might die soon?”
Teachers and staff spent time encouraging students and listening to their fears, reminding them that their lives and futures matter deeply even in the middle of uncertainty.
But the moment of normalcy did not last long. That night, heavy attacks struck across Beirut. By the following morning, the school made the difficult decision to close again to ensure the safety of both students and staff.
Moving forward, the team will continue assessing conditions day by day, carefully weighing whether it is safe to reopen the school. Their hope is to welcome children back whenever possible — offering not only education, but a place where students can feel safe, supported, and cared for during a deeply uncertain time.
As displacement increases, many families in the community have opened their modest homes to relatives fleeing from targeted areas. In response, Kids Alive has helped secure apartments for several displaced families, including support for alumni families who were forced to relocate.
Local organizations are also coming together to respond to the growing needs. Earlier this week, several faith-based organizations gathered at the Kids Alive center in Beirut to discuss how they can collaborate to support displaced families and strengthen community response efforts.
“Our communities are showing incredible strength in the middle of very difficult circumstances,” said Denise Dagher, Country Director for Kids Alive Lebanon. “Families are opening their homes to one another, and our staff are doing their best to support children who are scared and uncertain about what tomorrow will bring. We are grateful for the prayers and support from around the world that allow us to stand with these families and continue serving our community.”
As the situation continues to evolve, the Kids Alive team remains focused on the safety of children and staff, maintaining food and essential supplies for families, and supporting households navigating displacement and uncertainty.
Leaders are asking supporters around the world to continue praying for protection over children and families in Lebanon, for wisdom for caregivers and teachers supporting children through fear and uncertainty, and for peace across the region.
Those who would like to support children and families during this time can do so by contributing to the Lebanon ministry response. Gifts will help provide food assistance, support displaced families, and ensure children in Kids Alive programs continue receiving care and encouragement during this difficult season.
Support for the Lebanon response can be given by clickingHERE.
About Kids Alive International
Kids Alive International is a Christ-centered global organization dedicated to helping children, families, and communities move from trauma to triumph and lasting transformation. Working in multiple countries around the world, Kids Alive partners with local leaders to provide trauma-responsive care, strengthen families, expand access to restorative education, and advocate for justice for children who have experienced abuse, exploitation, and other forms of harm. Through programs focused on Justice Advocacy, Family Strengthening, Protective Care, and Restorative Education, Kids Alive works to address both the immediate needs of children and the deeper systems that impact their safety and wellbeing.
In Lebanon, Kids Alive serves children and families through the Dar El Awlad school and residential program, the New Horizons community center in southern Lebanon, and a Women’s Ministry program that supports mothers and families in vulnerable communities. Together with local staff and community partners, Kids Alive Lebanon works to provide safe spaces for children to learn, heal, and grow while supporting families navigating complex social and economic challenges.
Inspired to be part of this movement for justice that heals? Learn more and explore ways to get involved at www.kidsalive.org/ways-to-give.
For media inquiries, interviews, or more information about news stories like this one, please contact us at news@kidsalive.org.
Nairobi, Kenya — Kids Alive Nairobi Hope Center is advancing justice and strengthening community-led protection efforts following a significant conviction in a child sexual abuse case, while continuing broader advocacy work to create communities free from violence and fear.
In partnership with more than 50 child-centered organizations under the leadership of the Nairobi County Directorate of Children Services, Nairobi Hope Center has been actively advocating for safer families and stronger community response systems. The Center also played a key role in planning and participating in the Day of the African Child, reinforcing the collective call to protect children’s rights and dignity.
One recent case reflects the importance of this coordinated approach.
In early 2025, three siblings were connected to Kids Alive Nairobi Hope Center through a local church partner. During regular mentorship sessions — spaces intentionally designed for children to be heard and supported — one of the children disclosed ongoing sexual abuse within the home. Shortly thereafter, the older sibling courageously shared her own account with a trusted teacher.
Law enforcement and medical partners responded quickly. With medical evidence confirming the abuse, an arrest warrant was issued. Throughout the legal proceedings, Kids Alive Nairobi Hope Center worked alongside community partners, including Shining Hope For Communities (SHOFCO), St. Nicholas Children’s Home, the Sub-County Children’s Office, and safeguarding officers, to ensure the children received holistic care and that the case moved forward.
Kids Alive provided:
Psychosocial support through court attendance and coordination with key stakeholders
Physical support including clothing and essentials when the children were placed in protective care
Educational support to ensure uninterrupted schooling during legal proceedings
Ongoing emotional care, including therapy services for continued healing
In December 2025, the court found the father guilty and sentenced him to 20 years in prison under Kenyan law.
“This conviction represents more than a legal outcome,” said Peter Gichohi, Kids Alive Kenya Country Director. “It demonstrates what is possible when children are given safe spaces to speak, when communities respond with urgency, and when organizations work together to pursue justice.”
Beyond this case, Nairobi Hope Center continues to walk alongside families and community leaders to strengthen prevention efforts. Through advocacy, mentorship programs, safeguarding training, and collaboration with county authorities, Kids Alive is helping build communities with increased awareness, improved protective systems, and a shared commitment to eliminating domestic and sexual violence.
About Kids Alive International
Kids Alive International is a global non-profit dedicated to protecting children, strengthening families, and advocating for justice. With a presence in seven countries, Kids Alive provides holistic care that addresses not only immediate needs like safety, education, and health, but also the deeper wounds of trauma and sexual abuse.
The organization is committed to advancing systemic change by working with courts, governments, and local partners to embed “Justice that Heals” into legal processes. This includes creating safe spaces within court systems, training judicial personnel in child-sensitive practices, and walking with families as they pursue reconciliation and restoration.
Every child deserves to be seen, heard, and treated with dignity. Kids Alive International is devoted to making that a reality, combining compassionate care with courageous advocacy to defend the most vulnerable and restore hope for future generations.
Inspired to be part of this movement for justice that heals? Learn more and explore ways to get involved at www.kidsalive.org/ways-to-give.
For media inquiries, interviews, or more information about news stories like this one, please contact us at news@kidsalive.org.
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