For a child who has experienced abuse, the hardest part of seeking justice often isn’t the testimony, it is the wait beforehand, in a cold, unfamiliar room, sometimes within sight of the person they’re testifying against. In Zambia, Zimworx is helping change that.
Through a partnership with Kids Alive Zambia (KAZ), Zimworx has funded the rehabilitation of a child-friendly waiting room at a local subordinate court, a space designed to give vulnerable children somewhere safe, warm and dignified to wait before they testify, away from accused persons and unnecessary public exposure.
From broken to bright
The room KAZ inherited told its own story of neglect, cracked, dull tiles, a door that had been destroyed and could no longer lock, walls that had seen no real care in years. No place for a frightened child to sit alone.
With Zimworx’s support, that’s changed. KAZ has completed the room’s core rehabilitation, new tiling throughout, replacing the old, dull flooring with a brighter, more durable surface; a full repaint in a deliberately bright, child-friendly colour; and door repairs that restored the privacy and security the room previously lacked. The before-and-after tells the story better than any budget line: a room that once felt abandoned now has the bones of somewhere a child could actually feel safe.
The work still ahead
Rehabilitation is substantially complete, but the room isn’t yet fully functioning. A suitable carpet and proper seating for children and caregivers remain outstanding, once those are in, along with toys, books and calming materials, the room will be ready to serve its purpose.
KAZ’s next steps , install the carpet and seating, finish arranging the room, add child-friendly resources, incorporate Zimworx and KAZ branding, and work with court administration to keep the space maintained for the long term.
Why it matters
A tiled floor and a working door might sound modest, but for a child waiting to testify about their own abuse, it’s the difference between a room that adds to their trauma and one that offers a measure of dignity through it. Funded on a modest budget of just US$1,000, the project is a clear example of what a focused, hands-on partnership can achieve, not just a renovation, but a safer path through the justice system for the children who need it most.