Nchila Wildlife Reserve Projects - North West Zambia
The Ellen and Larry Bell family has joined with Pete Fisher and his wife Lynn in supporting an orphanage and a new children’s wing at their hospital in Zambia, in memory of Amy. The orphanage and hospital are associated with the Nchila Wildlife Reserve in North West Zambia. In the late 1800’s, Dr. Walter Fisher, a medical missionary from Ireland, arrived in Central Africa. During the early days of their mission work they helped establish a chain of missions across central Africa which were called “the beloved Strip”. The goal of these missions was to work for the abolition of the slave trade and minister to all those affected by using education, medicine and the “Gospel” to bring peace and change to these ravaged people. In 1906 Dr. Fisher and his associates established the Kalene Mission Hospital. The ministry established by Dr. Fisher continues to this very day. The Fisher family has been living in this area and serving the Lunda people of this region for over 100 years. Pete Fisher, part of the 4th generation of this Fisher family, first opened the Nchila Wildlife Reserve in 1993 and has continued to expand it into one of the foremost game reserves in Zambia.
Pete and his wife Lynn have not only created this wonderful game reserve. They have also continued Dr. Fisher’s legacy of serving the people of this region through the funding and operation of the Kalene Hospital. A fund raising campaign is currently under way to provide the financing for major renovations and additions to the hospital. These renovations and additions include a new maternity wing that will include a new neo-natal center. In addition to major upgrades throughout the facility the project also includes a new surgical facility for both orthopedic and reconstructive surgery for cleft palate and club feet as well as many other afflictions typical in these rural areas of the world. In addition to the Kalene Hospital the Fisher family has constructed facilities and provided funds for an orphanage in the area. This orphanage provides desperately needed care and support for dozens of children of the area who are orphaned by the ravages of the AIDS virus.
Because of Amy’s interest in trying to make a better life for children in Africa, especially the orphans, it seemed only fitting that we join with Pete and Lynn in providing support for the orphanage and the Children’s Hospital in Amy’s memory.
Amy Bell Memorial School
The Amy Bell Memorial school is being run by Sarah Peat, wife of Christopher Fisher and daughter-in-law of Lynn and Pete Fisher. Sarah is a wonderful young lady who is totally committed to the education and wellbeing of over 200 children at the Amy Bell School. The school not only supports the 40+ children from the orphanage but an additional 150 to 200 children from throughout the region. Sarah has truly become the personification of Amy Bell in this special place.
Kelene Misson Hospital
Amy Bell Charities also supported the construction of a new maternity ward for the Kalene Mission Hospital. A portion of that maternity ward is known as the Reese and Charlotte Wheeler Neo-Natal Center in honor of the Bell’s two grand-nieces. Reese and Charlotte are the beautiful twin daughters of Ellen and Corey Wheeler.
Hillwood Orphanage
The Hillwood orphanage was established by the Fisher family to look after children in the area who has lost their parents, or has only one working parent. There are some incredible people that look after these wonderful children.