Report from BHW Zambia Partnership Facilitator Following Visit

Recent Events

Education

There are currently 15 orphans on the education programme. Two are in Grade 12 this year. Three orphans have finished Grade 12 with good results and have been able to go to teachers training, with their guardians finding a way to sponsor them. One boy thou has unfortunately not been supported and has fallen into drinking. They are still praying for him.

Six of the children were at the house when we visited, see some of their stories below. They are, right to left:
William Mwansa - Grade 3
Ruth Chibwa - Grade 4
Godfrey Mumba - Grade 9
Sharon Chifita - Grade 12
Godwin Bulaya - Grade 9
Ruth Wibullya - Finished Grade 12

Last Saturday the orphans came to Elizabeth's house for lunch and encouragement. They had a good time, so good that they ended up picking all the oranges on Elizabeth’s tree and eating them. Elizabeth and Mwela were laughing at this saying, “well, of course they are our children so they are free!” The photo shows Elizabeth looking at her garden, with the bare orange tree behind her!! 

Farming Training

Last year in October Faides and Rebecca ran some Foundation for Farming training courses for 15 of the guardians at their local church. They taught about making compost, mulching and correct spacing for maize.

They made some compost and then planted a very small block of maize right there at the church. The church members weeded and looked after the maize, and they could not believe their eyes at the size of the cobs that were produced. It has sparked a big debate in the church and the elders of the church are now very keen to be trained as well. None of the trainees did the methods in their own fields last year but now are wanting to start with small gardens at their houses first.

They then ran another training course this year in July and the trainees are going to make a start for this coming season. Elizabeth and Mwela are wanting to follow up the trainees by visiting the gardens and encouraging them.

We visited the church were they conducted the trainings to find many ladies there. We discussed some of the farming methods and saw the enthusiasm that they have for this knowledge.

Natasha Kasongu

Age – 14 years
Grade – 8
Natasha’s father and mother have died, she lives with her two brothers and two sisters.

She enjoys school and likes civics and history. She would like to be a nurse. This partnership helps with school uniforms, shoes, school fees and she would like to thank Bright Hope World for the support.

Natasha and her family eat two times each day, nshima with vegetable relish.

Natasha believes Jesus has done good things for her. She would like to help others. The important things in life for her are going to school and avoiding bad things.

Sharon Fanny

Age – 19 years
Grade – 11
Sharon lives with her grandmother and 12 others in the household. They have three bedrooms where they sleep, some with beds and some with mats. They share a blanket. The family eats twice a day, nshima and vegetable relish.

Sharon’s grandma has taught her how to take care of herself and help others in need. When she has a job she would like to start a group like this.

Sharon talks to Jesus about her career, family, neighbours and this program. She would like to thank Bright Hope World for the support of her education.

Godfrey Mumba

Age - 15 years
Grade – 9
Godfrey lives with his mother who works as a maid, his father has passed away. There are six people living in the house which they rent, it has two rooms.

The family eats two times each day, nshima and relish.

Godfrey likes school and would like to be an engineer when he leaves school. He plays games, football and table tennis with his friends. He enjoys the programme with the orphans when they get together and eat and play.

Sandra Mulenga

Age – 14 years
Grade – 6
Sandra lives with her sister and her brother-in-law who works in the mine. Both parents have died. All together there are nine people living in the house which has two rooms. They sleep on mats on the floor and have one blanket each.

Sandra says that school is difficult but she would like to help others as she has been helped through school by the partnership. She would like to become a teacher. 

Sandra goes to church and talks and prays to Jesus, she knows Jesus is her helper. She asks that Jesus will help her finish school and stay well.

Elias Mwewa

Age – 18 years
Grade – 11
Elias started in the partnership when he was in Grade 4 and thinks it is a good programme.

Elias’ father has died and he lives with his mum who supports the family by selling charcoal and tomatoes. There are seven people living in the house of two rooms. Two of the children in the family go to school. The most important thing that his mum teaches him is to concentrate on school. 

Elias likes to play basketball with his friends and doesn’t see them having any problems.

He believes that God helps people and has come to save people.

William Mwansa 

Age - 11 years
Grade - 2
William lives with his grandparents. He helps at home by doing the dishes and cleaning up outside. He says Zambia is nice to live in. William was not going to school until he was helped by the programme, he is 11 years old and only in his second year of school.

He has two sisters who live with another grandmother. His father gives the grandparents money to buy food.

William likes making wire cars with his friends and playing football.

Ruth 

Age – 12 years
Grade – 3
Ruth lives with her grandparents. There are five children altogether in the home, the youngest is four years old. All the school age children go to school. Ruth was not going to school until she was 10 years old. Her father gives the grandparents money to help buy food, they eat once each day.

Ruth likes school, she has a few friends and they play with the ball and study. The class she is in has 41 students, with one teacher, and one textbook for each subject. The teacher copies the textbook on the board and the class copies it. 

Prayer and Praise Points

1) Praise that they have started to train the guardians in Foundations for Farming
2) Pray for the young boy who has turned to drinking

Comments

It was great to see them again and to see the passion for farming in the women we met.