What we are about
What we do
Compass Zambia is a California registered non-profit organization that was organized to help support the efforts of Home for Aids Orphans, located in the village of Mwandi, Zambia. Home for Aids Orphans is a registered NGO with a focus on building homes for extended families that had been displaced by AIDS.
Together, the two companies work to improve the lives of people in the area by improving the community.
Through the years we have expanded our outreach in the community of Mwandi by building a community school, sponsoring the education of the youth, helping in the hospitals, and caring for the elderly.
One person alone can do great things, but those who combine their efforts are capable of so much more.
where we are
Mwandi Village is located about 3 hours southwest from Livingstone, Zambia’s tourist capital, between the Botswanan and Namibian borders.
It is a peaceful village on the banks of the Zambezi River, and is the district seat. With a population of over 8,000, it centers around one paved main street, lined by small general stores, and a well-staffed hospital.
Many of the residents are subsistence farmers or fishermen, and others work for the newly formed district offices or the Mission hospital.
How Far We've Come
The Beginnings
Paula leaves California to begin her life in Africa
Paula Winland, a California native, decides to leave California after the passing of her mother to Alzheimer’s, taking no more than a backpack of personal items, some cash, and a dream to travel to South Africa to work with baboons. She travels to Zambia and meets Dan Van Zyl, who was working for the United Nations.
Paula and Dan travel from Zambia back to South Africa, and while working with the baboons they decide to put together a volunteer trip in Zambia to help in the village where Dan grew up.
The Journey
The work begins with building mud huts in Mwandi
Paula and Dan organize international volunteers, and in April they start the first “volunteer tour”, in which they traveled through 3 countries, finishing the tour with humanitarian work in the village of Mwandi. They are welcomed by the United Church of Zambia where they and the volunteers help in the Mission and surrounding areas.
Due to their ongoing humanitarian work, Paula and Dan are granted work permits and allowed to remain in Zambia, where the chief grants them a large parcel of land so they can put down roots. This allows for the volunteers to fly directly into Zambia, increasing their impact in the area.
News of the good work being done spreads through the village in Mwandi; Paula and Dan are approached by an elderly man who requests a home be built for him and his extended family. They soon realize the extent of the homeless situation for families who have been displaced by AIDs. The home building project begins.
The Growth
Home for Aids Orphans takes shape as word spreads
Home for Aids Orphans becomes a Zambian registered non-profit organization, which grows with volunteers coming from all over the world to be a part of something bigger than themselves.
Paula gets blessed with the opportunity to start building a primary community school to ease the pressure on the only other primary school in the area.
The Present
The primary school opens and Compass Zambia is formed
Who makes it happen
Paula Winland Van Zyl
Founder & Director
Paula, a California native who grew to love Africa during her years of travel, met Dan Van Zyl when he was working for the UN on food distribution in Zambia.
Paula has a heart for those in need and has made her presence known in Mwandi by connecting with the community by improving the lives of the people.
Dan Van Zyl
Founder
Dan was born in Zambia and spent his early childhood in Mwandi, where his father was a general trader.
He has recently departed this world to go on to the next and we honor him by continuing the work and passion he had for the impoverished people of Mwandi.
Matt Burditt
Chairperson
Born and raised in England, Matt came to Mwandi as a volunteer in 2006 and fell in love with the community and the work being done through Homes for Aids Orphans. He decided to return in 2007 on a permanent basis.
He and Paula currently run Home for Aids Orphans, A.K.A. Compass Zambia, along with their dedicated local staff.
Why we do it
Helping community by improving the lives of others
- We believe that all people are created equal by God
- We believe in helping people help themselves to improve upon their quality of life
- We believe great things are accomplished through people coming together in community with a united purpose