The head of the family is 17. Money is tight. The roof leaks. How did this happen?

LUSAKA – In a poignant illustration of the profound socio-economic challenges facing vulnerable families in Zambia, three orphaned brothers in the Copperbelt Province are grappling with immense hardship after the tragic loss of their parents. Joseph, aged 17, now shoulders the heavy burden of heading his family, alongside his younger brothers, Gift (15) and Alumbwe (12), navigating a life marked by poverty and uncertainty. The boys' plight, deeply rooted in a health crisis, began with the reported deaths of their mother and father, both of whom were living with HIV. According to the brothers, their parents succumbed after losing consistent access to their vital antiretroviral (ARV) medications. This heart-wrenching narrative underscores the critical importance of uninterrupted access to healthcare, particularly for chronic conditions like HIV, and the devastating ripple effects when such access is compromised. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle against HIV/AIDS in Zambia and the need for robust health infrastructure and support systems. Their daily struggles are manifold and stark. Whenever the seasonal rains descend upon the Copperbelt, the brothers are forced into a frantic scramble, moving their meager belongings to the few dry corners of their dilapidated home. The leaking roof is not merely an inconvenience; it symbolises the broader vulnerabilities they face – a lack of adequate shelter, sanitation, and basic necessities. This precarious living situation exacerbates their already fragile state, exposing them to health risks and further diminishing their quality of life. The challenges they endure are a microcosm of the struggles faced by many orphaned and vulnerable children across Zambia, where poverty often intersects with health crises to create cycles of deprivation. The Zambian government, through various ministries and non-governmental organisations, has implemented programmes aimed at supporting orphans and vulnerable child