The St John Association of Zambia

Who we are

St John Zambia was formed in the 1950’s to operate uniquely within the Police Force.  Although St John’s activities have broadened over the years, close relationships with the Zambian Police have been maintained.  St John Zambia is governed by a Council of volunteers with an interest in the work and mission of St John in their country.   From 2006, St John Zambia was registered as a limited company in Zambia and a new Council was launched in 2007 incorporating members with wide-ranging professional expertise.

Currently, the activities of St John Zambia are based within the environs of Lusaka, the capital.  Community based activities are widespread in Matero - a high density suburb of Lusaka.

A new St John Headquarters was officially opened in 2005.  It is based in Matero, close to the district health clinic and comprises office accommodation and a training room.

Zambia at a glance

The Republic of Zambia is a large, landlocked country at the heart of sub-equatorial Africa.  It has borders with the Democratic Republic of Congo; Angola; Namibia; Zimbabwe; Mozambique; Malawi and Tanzania.  More than a quarter of Zambians live in two urban areas near the centre: in the capital Lusaka and in the industrial towns of the Copperbelt.  The rest of Zambia is very sparsely populated; particularly the west and northeast where the majority of people make their living as subsistence farmers.

Zambia is one of the world’s poorest and least developed nations.  Two thirds of the population live on less than one dollar per day and one in six children dies before their fifth birthday.  Zambia’s problems have since the mid 1980’s been compounded by HIV and AIDS.  In 2005 alone, 98,000 people died of AIDS.  Falling life expectancy reflects the impact which HIV and AIDS have on society.

What we do

In response to this context, St John Zambia implements a range of community programmes alongside its core role as a first aid training organisation.  Volunteers promote health education for mothers and young people; carry out growth monitoring of children, peer education with an emphasis on HIV and AIDS using song and drama and community sensitisation in relation to epidemics such as cholera.  St John volunteers also provide voluntary counselling and testing services within government health clinics.

First Aid

St John in Zambia offers a range of first aid services to business, commerce and at public events.

Commercial first aid training is normally conducted at the clients’ premises and flexible training hours are offered in order to fit in with the working requirements of those to be trained.  The Lifesaver First Aid course is normally offered in 5 sessions of 2 hours each.  Certificates are provided upon successful completion of the training course.

Under Ministry of Labour rules, each department of a commercial organisation is required to have a first aider and an equipped first aid box.   St John provides first aid boxes to commercial clients.

Public Duties

St John volunteers undertake first aid duties for the public at a range of events.   The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) is one of St John Zambia’s biggest customers and there is no shortage of volunteers at international and regional matches.

An ambulance to provide emergency transport, when required, was obtained in 2007.

Community Care and HIV and AIDS

Strong links have been formed over the years between St John Zambia and the Ministry of Health’s Lusaka District Health Management Team.  Activities undertaken by St John volunteers are integrated into governmental community health programmes to the overall benefit of the population.

A range of services are provided to mothers with young children including health education, growth monitoring and community sensitisation and awareness at times of epidemics.  Peer educators called “Lusaka’s Caring Community” seek opportunities to work at community level to introduce messages about HIV and AIDS including the importance of condom use and voluntary counselling and testing.

Links with other organisations

St John Zambia has strong links with the Ministry of Health and in particular the Lusaka District Health Management Team.  

It also has close relationships with the Zambia Police Service, the Football Association of Zambia, the University Teaching Hospital and a range of commercial companies and financial institutions.

The Priory for Wales has offered to support St John Zambia in the development of its operational capacity for the period 2007-2011.