Key People: Grace & Doris Nkausu
With COVID-19 causing many issues in Zambia, schools are closed other than exam years. Food commodities are rising significantly and people have to wear masks when they leave their houses.
Doris says people are dying from this disease but the official numbers are probably not very accurate as the ability to test and isolate is very limited. There has been a lot of fear from people but they are just having to carry on as most live hand to mouth.
We called Doris on Whatsapp to discuss how things have been going.
There are now 15 orphans remaining on the program. Currently with schools being closed to all but those in exam years (Grades 7, 9 and 12) the orphans are struggling to find things to do. Of course, all the fees paid at the start of the year are non refundable.
Doris has enabled the students to have some extra private lessons for 1.5 to 2 hours a day a few times a week, either with some sympathetic teachers or with other students who are grades above them. In addition, Doris is visiting these vulnerable ones as much as she can to encourage them.
The orphans maize field has done really well this year. They harvested 70 bags from just over ½ hectare, being around 6 tons per hectare equivalent, which is around 6 times the average traditional farming in Zambia. This is such a great result, and also with the extra time the orphans have had in the field they have learnt much about farming for their future.
Next year Doris expects the following students:
Grade 10 - 7
Grade 11 - 5
Grade 12 - 3
Despite the risks of gathering, and the precautions that need to be taken, people are still very keen to be trained in Foundations for Farming. Doris says “People are dying from this disease but we can’t do nothing, so we will put on a mask and continue to train more people. They may be dying but we will not let them die hungry!”
She has a group of people from her local church and community lined up to be trained in August. Her son Chisenga is going to help with the trainings. Grace is going to sew 50 masks for the program to help people remain safe.
Prayer and Praise Points1) Praise for Doris' trust and action to carry on in these circumstances
2) Pray for the orphans who are going to sit exams after missing much of the school year
3) Pray for the farming trainings to take place in August