Home and Orphanage
The orphanage was established by Anna Fisher, wife of Dr Walter Fisher about one hundred years ago. Lunda custom at the time was that babies whose mother died during childbirth were left on the mother’s grave to die. Anna’s first orphan was such a baby.
Making Leaders
In the early 1930’s the orphanage moved to Hillwood farm, under the care of Anna’s daughter-in-law, Ethelwynn Fisher nee Marks, where it became Hillwood Orphanage or Hillwood Children’s Home. Since that time many children have passed through the orphanage and some of the earlier orphans went on to become members of cabinet, ministers, and commanders in the police or military. The orphanage is inextricably linked to the early government of Zambia.
Through the years there have been different management teams, all supervised by a member of the Fisher family. The objective remains a secure and nurturing environment based on Christian principles. The children are cared for with a balance of love and fun, instruction and discipline, that enables them to assimilate back into their village as productive adults.
A New School
Thanks to the generosity of the Bell and Engstrom families, an on-site school for the earlier grades was recently built. It was dedicated in June 2017. The younger children, up to Grade 4, will no longer have to walk the 7 km to and from school. Bikes were recently acquired, and the older children can now ride to their school! The school can also be used for extra-curricular activities.
Pete and Lynn Fisher welcome enquiries about the Children’s Home. You can reach them at nchilawr@gmail.com. The Bell Family have generously supported the building of a new school on-site. See their video below.