At Family Development Initiatives (FDI), health is not just a service — it is a right, a foundation for dignity, and a pathway to empowerment. Our health interventions are deeply rooted in the belief that strong families and healthy communities go hand-in-hand. That’s why we take a holistic, integrated, community-centered approach to improve health outcomes and build resilient systems that leave no one behind.
Our Focus Areas
FDI’s health programming spans a wide range of critical issues, including:
HIV/AIDS Prevention, Care and Treatment
We work with faith-based communities, local leaders, and youth networks to promote HIV testing, reduce stigma, and improve adherence to treatment. Through the Congregational Approach, we connect places of worship with health facilities, transforming congregations into hubs for wellness and support.
- Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH)
We champion Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH) and Life Skills & Health Education (LSHE) by engaging religious and community leaders, parents, and young people. Our programs are tailored to respect cultural values while equipping youth with accurate, age-appropriate information to make informed choices. - Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH)
By working through community structures and faith groups, we promote safe motherhood, antenatal care, and immunization, while empowering families — especially women — with knowledge on nutrition, child spacing, and care-seeking behaviors. - Community-Led Health Responses
From malaria to tuberculosis, FDI supports the mobilization, training, and deployment of Community-Based Volunteers (CBVs) and traditional leaders to drive local health initiatives. We also support the use of scorecards, monitoring tools, and advocacy platforms to ensure services are accessible, responsive, and accountable.
Our Approach
Faith-Driven, People-Centered
Our health work is built on collaboration with faith leaders and communities, recognizing their influence in behavior change and social norms. This unique positioning allows us to address sensitive issues with credibility and care.
Evidence-Based & Locally Adapted
We leverage tools such as Organizational Capacity Assessments (OCAs), behavior change frameworks, and community mapping to ensure that our interventions respond to real needs with real solutions.
Partnerships for Impact
With a history of collaboration with major health partners — including USAID/ DISCOVER Health, UNESCO, UNICEF, the Global Fund/CHAZ, GAVI/CHAZ, and ActionAid Zambia — we bridge policy and practice, ensuring that national strategies translate into community realities.
Our Impact
- Trained and supported hundreds of faith leaders, youth mentors, and CBVs in SRH, HIV, and community health engagement
- Strengthened service delivery linkages across over 30 districts and 6 provinces through faith-health partnerships
- Developed and deployed Community Engagement Toolkits used nationwide by implementing partners
- Contributed to national and regional dialogues on faith and health, helping shape inclusive policies and practices
Our Vision
We envision a Zambia where families enjoy good health, youth grow with dignity, and communities lead the charge for wellness and wellbeing. At FDI, health is more than survival — it’s a pillar of thriving families, empowered citizens, and equitable development.