Update from BHW Zambia Partnership Facilitator

Key person: Oliver Mulenga

Recent Events

Farming

Edwin Chama from GLO (ZAM19c) has been visiting the village of Lufwanyama where two key men, Boyd and Morgan, are being followed up after being trained in Foundations for Farming at GLO in 2022.

Pictured right is Edwin showing the practical planting of soyabeans, with furrows and application of agricultural lime.

In this second season of growing, the men have added soyabeans to the crops they grow. The season has been very difficult due to the lack of rains in the area, in fact many parts of Zambia have declared a drought. Due to the lack of rain, the crops have been very poor even though they were trying to follow the principles of Foundations for Farming; planting on time, covering the field with mulch, using minimum tillage. The second photo shows Morgan, Grace (Boyd’s daughter), Edwin Chama (from GLO) and Boyd. The soyabeans germinated well but haven't grown much due to the lack of rain.

Next season Edwin is hoping to encourage the village by getting them to grow some vegetables, as not many are grown in the area.  

Orphans Programme

Currently the orphan’s programme, where 25 orphans were helped with school requirements, fees and uniforms has been suspended. The Saturday morning programme where the orphans come to Power Christion Ministry facilities has also been suspended. 

The programme consisted of providing lunch and having two paid teachers come to give extra lessons, some bible reading and games. With the cost of living in Zambia increasing substantially the funds provided, both by Bright Hope World and by Oliver's own block construction business, is not enough to keep the programme afloat on a long-term sustainable basis.

A concern for Bright Hope World has been the lack of someone to really get to know these children and disciple them in the word of God and living life well. Oliver had been discussing that if this were to happen, someone would need to be employed, as he doesn’t have the capacity with all his other responsibilities. No other church members have wanted to volunteer to help with this work. 

Loan Empowerment Programme

A total of ZMK9,000 (US$360) was given to start a loan programme to try and help the guardians of the orphans boost their current businesses to help provide in a more sustainable way. 12 guardian families entered this programme, some received ZMK500, and others ZMK1,000. The plan was for them to pay back within six months with some interest. 

Sadly, this programme has not worked, and Oliver is a bit disgruntled with the guardians for not taking the programme seriously. One guardian has paid their loan back and received a bigger loan of ZMK3,000, while the other guardians only made a small number of repayments. Oliver was encouraged to visit the guardians to discuss the situation with each one, and a way forward, but the guardians are currently avoiding Oliver to the point where they decided not to send the orphans to the Saturday morning programme.

Current Issues and Challenges

With the lack of help and strain on funds, Oliver requested that the orphan programme in Kalulushi be suspended, at least for the time being.

Comments

Oliver is now over 80 years old, and his capacity is starting to decline. With there being no succession plan in sight or other members of the church community stepping up to volunteer time, we agree with Oliver's request to suspend things here.

The only part that will continue is the farming training in the local village of Lufwanyama where we will propose that Oliver and Edwin continue to visit this area and encourage the Foundations for Farming training. Oliver desires to continue with evangelism and church planting in this area which is where his passion now lies.

Oliver has been instructed to hold the funds that were sent in January (US$900) plus the loan money that has been repaid (ZMK1,100) until a plan can be made with regards to helping out the farmers in Lufwanyama.