Orphan care in Somalia
In 2024, Zamzam Foundation supported the families of 8,411 orphaned children across Somalia.
When you sponsor an orphan through Zamzam, your £50 monthly donation helps ensure the child can attend school while also supporting their guardian to meet the family’s most basic needs, such as food, clothing, and shelter.
Why orphan care matters
Orphans are mentioned 23 times in the Qur’an, highlighting the responsibility placed on believers to care for children who have lost one or both parents.
Beyond this religious obligation, the reality is stark. Children without parental support are far more likely to live in poverty and miss out on education, limiting their future prospects.
According to the Somali Health and Demographic Survey (2020):
- 32% of households care for a foster child or orphan
- 19% of families include at least one orphan
These figures show just how widespread the need for orphan support is in Somalia.
Our growing impact
Zamzam aims to build on its orphan care programme year on year:
1,387
New orphans supported in 2024
8,411
Orphans supported in 2024
20
Families received grants or loans in 2024 to support income generation and self-reliance
Sending children to school
Sacdia, 37, has lived in a poor neighbourhood of Mogadishu all her life. Thanks to our orphans and social care programme, she has been able to send her seven children to school and establish a small shop to earn an independent income.
“Zamzam’s sponsorship of my children’s education has relieved me of the financial burden of school fees, allowing my children to pursue their studies without hindrance,” she says. “With the shop provided by Zamzam, I have a stable source of income to support my family’s daily expenses.”
How your sponsorship helps
The primary form of support we provide is regular financial assistance to those caring for orphaned children. This may include a surviving parent, a close relative, or a community guardian.
Your sponsorship:
- Helps guardians meet immediate household needs
- Covers education costs, including school fees, books, and uniforms
- Preserves dignity by allowing families to prioritise their most urgent needs.
Where possible, orphans living near Zamzam facilities can also access free education and healthcare through our schools and health centres.
Building self-reliance
Alongside monthly sponsorship, Zamzam also invests in long-term resilience. In 2024, selected families received small grants or loans to start or grow income-generating activities—helping them move towards independence and stability.