Zambia

Capital: Lusaka Population: 11,261,798 Infant Mortality Rate: 88.29 deaths/1000 live births Life Expectancy: 39.7 years HIV/AIDS Adult prevalence rate (2003): 6.5% People living with (2003): 920,000 Deaths (2003): 89,000 Literacy: definition -age 15 and over can read and write English. Total pop. - 80.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Milk Program

In December of 2006, the Mustard Seed Peace Project received a request for assistance from Sr. Pat Hanvey, IVBM. Sr. Pat is the coordinator of a Home Base Care Program in Lukulu, Zambia. As a direct response to this request, in January of 2007 MSPP officially expanded it work area to include the country of Zambia. In Zambia, the lack of proper prenatal care and sound nutrition during pregnancy often causes malnourishment of the mothers. This coupled with the fact that most births take place in unhygienic village surroundings leads to a high maternal mortality rate leaving undernourished infants without mothers. These babies are being cared for by extended families that are unable to meet their own basic needs. Also, with the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Zambia many infants are left with mothers who are too sick and malnourished to breast feed or are orphaned by mothers who have contracted this disease.

In an effort to address this situation Sr. Pat has organized a Milk Program. This milk program provides 50-60 at-risk infants with infant formula to help give them a sound nutritional start on life. The program is administered by a team of 20 Home Based Care volunteers. These volunteers also serve as the “eyes” in the community identifying those in need of care.

The babies and infants are provided with milk on a weekly basis. The guardians are required to bring the babies to the children’s clinic at the hospital for monthly weighing and monitoring of their health. Detailed records are kept of the milk distribution and the progress of each child.

Due to the remoteness of Lukulu, infant formula is not available there and must be purchased in Lusaka which is about 370 miles away. The cost of providing formula and transportation of the formula for 50 infants for one year is $10,000.00. MSPP along with the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation has provided the funds needed for the first year of this project. We are continuing to look for funds to support this project.

School Lunch Program

In the Lukulu district of Zambia youth must often travel great distances to attend school. The Lukulu Secondary School (St. Columba's) is located in the Lukulu district in the Western Province of Zambia. Located in the Snacta Maria Mission on the banks of the Zambezi River the school was once a boarding school for boys but is now a co-educational day school.Students in the school come from areas as far away as160kms. Because of this great distance and lack of transportation most of the students who attend Lukulu Seconday School must rent small huts in which to live during the school week. Since most of the students live on their own they don't always have the resources to provide themselves with nutritious meals. This in turn impedes their ability to learn. It is for this reason that the parish council of the Sancta Maria Mission has turned to Mustard Seed Peace Project for support. In November of 2007, in an attempt to alleviate this problem, MSPP and the parish council began working on a school lunch program. At a cost of $200.00 a month, this program provides 200 students attending Lukulu Secondary school with a nutritious noon meal during the school week. Often times this meal is the only meal that the student will have that day.

The program is being monitored and supervised by the parish council of the Sancta Maria Mission. The parish council will receive reports on the academic success and physical progress of each child benefitting from the school lunches at the end of each term. Each child will also be given the opportunity to commuicate their feelings about the program to the parish council. Finally, there will be detailed reports on how Ythe money is being spent supported by lunch receipts and payment vouchers.

Through partnerships created with two other non-profit organizations, Chefs for Humanity and All for Africa, this program has been funded for 2008. Chefs for Humanity is an alliance of culinary professionals working in partnership with U.S. and global organizations to provide nutrition education, hunger relief and humanitarian aid to reduce hunger in the world. This organization was founded by celebrity Iron Chef America, Cat Cora.

All For Africa (“A4A”) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that serves as a platform for individuals, corporationsand other organizations to actively get involved in, design and coordinate economically sustainable projects in Africa .

MSPP believes that by working together and sharing our visions, we can maximize the impact of our individual goals and missions.


Greetings from Sancta Maria Mission— Lukulu, Zambia.
 
FEEDING PROGRAM AT SANCTA MARIA MISSION FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

The feeding program at Sancta Maria Mission in Lukulu Zambia was started out of the need to assist students who are at St. Columba’s Secondary School and Phelim O’shea High School in Lukulu, Zambia. St. Columba’s Secondary School and Phelim Oshea High School are day schools. They are the only schools in the district which takes in Grades 8 to 12. All the students who pass to secondary school have to come to these two schools.

The students once they are accepted at these schools come from their homes in the rural areas of Lukulu and start renting thatched houses around the outskirts of Lukulu and within Lukulu main. The dormitory for girls at Sancta Maria Mission in Lukulu Zambia was a project to accommodate the students at these two schools. Most girls come from distant places within Lukulu district- some up to 100 kilometers away. They go to school from the rented huts which have no running water, no electricity and no proper security since they are living on their own. They have to walk back to and from their home villages especially over weekends to fetch for food since they have no way of keeping large quantities of food.

The girls in between school times used to cook for themselves, in the morning before they go to school by making fire using firewood and they would cook lunch for themselves by making firewood, fetching water from the near by community taps.
 
The dormitory for girls— which accommodates up to 80 girls was built by the Sancta Maria Mission- Catholic Church to help the girls to have a room, bed, electricity, water and security (also from men who might want to take advantage of young girls living on their own). It also helps the girls to have a mid day meal and breakfast every day which is prepared for them. The girls just take care of their evening meals. With a matron and care of the church, the girls have guidance and counseling as well as moral support. Though the feeding program is for both boys and girls— the dormitory is for girls only. We hope to build a boys dormitory in the near future. The community opted for girls first. The girls pay K100,000.00 for a year to be in the dormitory.
 
The dormitory was built through Oblate education support funds and contributions from the local community and other well wishers.
 
It is built and managed within the school grounds of St. Columba’s Secondary School. The school is a core-education Catholic Mission school situated at Sancta Maria Catholic Mission. While Phelim Oshea is a government school built across the road from the Catholic Mission School.

BELOW ARE SOME STORIES THAT THE GIRLS WHO ARE IN THE DORMITORY WROTE IN THE MONTH OF JUNE, 2009, I HOPE THE STORIES WILL HELP YOU UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE THE WAY WE UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO THE FEEDING PROGRAM OF THE SCHOOLS AT OUR MISSION.

NOTE: THAT THE STORIES HAVE NOT BEEN EDITED SO THAT YOU GET TO UNDERSTAND FIRST HAND INFORMATION FROM THE GIRLS THEMSELVES.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION!

SIBESO INAMBAO
HOW I FOUND MYSELF IN THIS DORMITORY
I am a Zambian girl aged 18 years and Sibeso Inambao is my name. I am doing my grade eleven at Phelim O’ Shea High school. Before I came in this dormitory, I first lived at Masheke Village where I used to rent a small hut at K25,000 per month, when I heard that the dormitory was being opened I was very happy because that is the thing I used to admire in my life. So I told my parents about the dormitory and they agreed to send me there and became as happy as I was before because even my parents had seen my suffering and the problem of paying money rent every month.
One day evening around 17:00hrs, I went to the Parish together with mum and I was told to come the following day, the following day I was there to hear the rules that I must follow when in the dormitory. After that, Br. Mbulo took me to the dormitory where I was shown the room and the bed.
LIFE IN THE DORMITORY
Life in the dormitory is very good and I am enjoying it because I never expected myself to be in this good dormitory where electricity, nice toilets, showers and water are found. And things like fire wood, charcoal tissues, pumpkins and lunch at the digor are provided for us, so iam enjoying my stay in the dormitory because I used to walk long distances to and from school without eating, sometimes come late to school and the teachers will be there wiping me forgetting that I come very far. I used to suffer a lot before I came here.
This time I can even wake up at 04hrs studying and 06hrs start preparing for school without being late because I am now near the school.
In conclusion of my story, I would like to thank the Catholic Church members who have built this dormitory for girls because they have made my life to be easy than it used to be before the dormitory. I am therefore advising my fellow students to tell their parents to pay money for them so that they can come and enjoy what I am enjoying in this dormitory, and study as much as they want so that they finish they education with flying colors. They will be no one to disturb them as they are doing at the rental houses.


MONDE SIITA
I am Monde Siita 19 year of age doing my twelve’s grade at St. Columbus Secondary Sch. I am from Mbanga area, I came to Lukulu in 2007 when I was accepted in grade 10 at the same school.
To start with, from grade 10 to 11, I used to rent a house at Chimbanda for K25,000 and K5000 for water. It was difficult for me to improve on my studies because I never used to go back to school for prep because of the distance. I used to buy candles for my studies which was very costly and my parents never used to afford sending me money for candles every time, as the result my performance was very bad in grade 10 and 11.

Therefore, in grade 12 term we were told that the dormitory will be opened and it was announced to people who had problems with accommodation and studies. I registered myself and we were given forms where there were some particulars that we were supposed to follow. We were also told to pay K100,000 per year.
After we paid the money, we were told to come with our own beddings and we were provided beds and mattresses , we were also told to come with our own food and we entered the dormitory on 24th February ,2009. Now that we are there, we are being provided with lunch from Monday to Friday which is being paid for us at K15,000 per month.

Finally, I feel good to be in the dormitory, because I have enough time to study, such that toilets and showers are inside I can wake up anytime to have a shower and continue with my studies till the time I get tired. How I wish it was opened when I was still in grade 10, I could have doing better than I am doing .
Thanks be to God who is encouraging these people to help people like us who are in need. May he continue blessing them and giving them power to proceed.


RACHEAL KAPALU
HOW I FOUND MYSELF IN THE DORMITORY
I am Rachael Kapalu aged 19 years, I am doing my twelve’s grade at St. Columbus Secondary School in Lukulu.
I am from Simakumba, that’s where my parents stay. Before the dormitory was opened I used to stay with my aunt at Chmbanda which is an hour from my school, from grade 10 to 11. Unfortunately, she passed away and I had no way to stay, I was told to stay with the friend to my aunt but life wasn’t easy, I had no time to study, I was busy every time with house chores.

But one day my Teacher Mrs. Mubita told us that, the Catholic Church will be opening the girls dormitory and those interested should pay K100,000 only per year. Since where I was staying, life wasn’t easy, I decided to tell my parents about it, and they agreed to pay for me.

On 24th February,2009, the dormitory was opened, we were told to come with our own beddings and food, beds and mattresses will be provided to us. Will also be provided with lunch and breakfast, they also provide charcoal , Tissues, and fire wood to us.

When the dormitory opened, we were only twelve, many more girls have joined us and we are now 34. I think many girls will join us because their parents have seen the importance of being in the dormitory. I am very happy to be in the dormitory because I have a lot of time to study compared when I was home because a lot of time was being spent on house chores by the time I finish I used to get tired and no time to study as the result my performance was bad.

Life in the dormitory is very nice because my performance is improving , I think I will do better and my results will be good. I wish the dormitory was opened when I was still in grade 10, I would have done better than I am doing now.

In conclusion, I thank Br. Mbulo who is taking care of us and all the Catholics who came up with the idea of building the dormitory for girls with lack of accommodation.
May god bless them all.

NASILELE NANCY MUYANGANA
HOW I FOUND MYSELF IN THE DORMITORY
I am a Zambian girl aged 14 years, doing my 11th grade at Phelim O’ Shea High School. School life is good and enjoying it. I used to stay with both of my parents, but when I qualified to grade 10, my father passed away I was just left with my mother. I travelled to mongu the same year I saw some pupils staying in the dormitory and it was my first time to see that, I started admiring dormitory life especially when I thought of the distance from home to school it was very far.

After I compared how they were living and the way I was strungling, walking three hours to and from school every day, I told my elder sister the goodness of being in the dormitory, I also told her that I needed a transfer to the boarding school. My sister listened to my complaints and accepted to take me to the boarding school the following year. And this year she fulfilled her promise. We went together to the Headmaster Mr. Tufule who gave us the form to fill in and paid the K100,000 to the secretary for the whole year.

I established the goodness of staying in the dormitory, and some them are: it is near the school, am able to study any time I feel like because power is always there even at night compared when I was home, there were a lot of disturbances. That’s how I found myself in the dormitory.

I thank the Catholics for constructing the dormitory in Lukulu, and to sum up, I am asking the Catholics to buy us some tables and chairs where we can be studying from. Toilets to buy escalations and bathrooms also to ascend, if you can as well construct a fence, stoves and providing food in future.

Thanks a lot. God bless.



KALUMBE SAMAZAKA
KALUMBE IN GIRLS DORMITORY
I am a girl aged 18 and doing my grade 12 at St. Columbus Secondary School in Lukulu district of Western province. I am the first born in the family of three, two boys and one girls (that’s me). About my parents, my mother is the only one who is alive and she is a Teacher at a certain school where she resides in a three roomed house un electrified and she stays with six people.

Due to the size of the house and the number of family members and lack of electricity my performance was very low. As life went on with these difficulties, the Roman Catholic were busy building the dormitory, the building was over, the advertisement was made for pupils whose homes were far away from the school. Not only those from a far but also the vulnerable and able to pay the dormitory fee which is K100,000 only per year. When I heard about this even though I am not from a far place but vulnerable, I applied and was accepted. A form was given to me where I filled in the information that was required and the K100,000 was paid. After the arrangements were done , I was given a day that I was to move to the dormitory, it came and I moved in.

Dormitory life is much better now, because distances are less, there is enough time for studies, though we prepare own meals that is supper during school days and lunch and supper on weekends, studying is well done for this reason school results are improving and hope the grade 12 end of year results will be good.
In conclusion, I would like to thank the people who came up with the idea of helping girl child in this way. May our heavenly father continue showering blessings on them so that they continue with the same spirit and help more people.

MERVIOUS WALUBITA
My name is Walubita Mervous 17 years of age doing my last grade at St. Columbus Secondary School. I was born in the family of 8, 4 boys and 4 girls, myself being the second born with a twin sister.

PAST EXPERIENCE
Before I moved in the dormitory, I used to stay in the mission compound with my auntie while both of my parents stay in Mongu. I came here when I was in grade 10, and grade 11 term three, she received a letter that to go to school for further studies. I used to study well and the house was electrified and all the requirements were there.
But because she was going to school, I was told to go back because I used to stay with my Aunyie and cousin. But some few weeks later before she left, some of her friends advised her that she can leave the two of us we are old enough to take care of our selves. She left and the house was now in our hands. They disconnected power, water and the boys used to disturb us because they new that we were just the two of us I was really disturbed with school work.

When Auntie came back, she found that we were disconnected, that is the time when dormitory was being advertised. She went to collect forms for us to fill in, and later on we were accepted to be in the building, we prepared everything , some of which are beddings, food for supper, pots, spoons and plates.

LIFE IN THE DORMITORY
We moved in the dormitory on 19th March 2009, there where 12 girls already in we became 16 and at the moment we are 34. Found water, electricity, toilets beds and mattresses.Coming to food, during school days, we eat lunch from school and just prepare supper till weekends that’s when we cook lunch and supper for ourselves., we are being offered tissues, charcoal, breakfast and vegetables from the parish garden, we are normally provided with this immediately they get finish.

In the dormitory we respect each other and we use the official language for communication. We have been put three three in the rooms and we eat according to rooms if the 3 of you agree to be eating together. We start the cooking at 18hrs and finish at 19hrs. at 20hrs prep start up to the time we feel like sleeping. At the end of the year am sure the grade 12 results will be good because they working hard to improve in all their subjects. May god bless all the grade 12 dormitory girls to pass well.

Academically, pupils are improving in their performances, and last term 10 people from our school received presents.

PEOPLE TO THANK
I would like to thank the almighty God who made it possible for me to be in the dormitory, my parents for the support they are giving me concerning food and everything, to the community together with the Chief for giving the Parish this portion of land to build the dormitory, the Parish Priest , the Church Council together with the Brothers. Because had it not been for this I would have been forced to go back to my parents when in grade 12 which is something that could have been disturbed my studies.

May the church build another dormitory for boys because there some who are suffering like the way we did and also the government to build some in areas where there is no development. May the almighty God bless all these people for the work they are doing, may he give them strength and wisdom to continue with their work.

KAMWI MERCY
HOW I FOUND MYSELF IN THE DORMITORY
I am Kamwi Mercy doing my grade 12 at Phelim O’ Shea High School. I am 19 years of age, I am the 1st born daughter to my mother side because I don’t know them.

Before I came to the dormitory, I used to stay with my grand father, he is the Heard teacher at Silembe Basic School, truly there life was fine he is the one who took care of me from the time mum passed away at the age of 2 years. To cut the story short, I qualified to grade 10, I came to Lukulu where I used to stay with my Auntie in an electrified house, I used to study hard and the results were good.

Unfortunately to my side, my Auntie got married to man who is teaching across Zambezi within Lukulu district and it is the one roomed house, it was not possible for her to join the husband at that school because she is the secretary to the DEBS, therefore the husband joined the wife and I was forced to go back to my grand father since it the one roomed house.

I tell you it became very difficulty for me to be walking 1 hour 30 minutes to school every day, to worsen the situation, one of teachers decided to be teaching even on Saturday and that if you don’t attend his class on Saturday then you will stop learning his subject.

My grandfather saw realized that my performance was going down he told me to look for the house for rent, but he was not comfortable for a young girl to stay alone in the house. At the time when all these were happening, the Catholics were building the dormitory, and one day the Head teacher announced that anyone lacking accommodation can just pay K100,000 to go in the dormitory, which is indeed a fare amount. I told my grand father about it and that’s how I found myself in the dormitory.

In the dormitory, life is fine we are being provided with lunch, and supper is done by ourselves, the dormitory is well electrified, showers and toilets are inside, the studies are fine. I hope at the end of the year the school results will be good.

Finally, I thank the almighty God who had given the Catholic power and strength to help the girls with lack of accommodation. I may they continue with the same spirit so that they can build the other dormitory for the boys.
May the living God bless you all.

BEATRICE MUFUZI
Hallow dear reader, I would like to share with you a brief history on how I found myself in the dormitory, how I am feeling to be there and what I wish to be done.

I am Beatrice Mufuzi Mubyana from Lukulu Western part of Zambia. I am doing my grade 12 at St. Columbus Secondary School. I did my upper primary at Namayula School qualified into grade 8 at St. Columbus, I sat for my grade 9 and was accepted to grade 10 at the same school

During this time the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) Priest found at Sancta Maria Parish in Lukulu together with the Church Council Executive for vulnerable school going girls. I 2008 the building was finished and it was announced that those wish to stay in the dormitory should apply. I applied because I used to stay at a far place where I used to walk for 1 hr 30 minutes to and from school every day.

At home, I never used to study well because there are a lot of disturbances and there is no power for to study at night, because home was very far, I never used to have lunch so I used to have one meal every day. Luckily enough I was accepted in the dormitory and I was among the first intake. I am very happy to be in this dormitory where I am given the opportunity to study everyday and night and that I have come near the school.

APPRECIATION
I would like to appreciate Sancta Maria Parish Priest who are presently there, those who were there when the idea was raised, the Church Council Executive and all those who helped in all ways to make sure that the building was run accordingly. I would also love to thank my family, especially Mr. and Mrs. Mufuzi who allowed me to come and stay in this dormitory and paid for me, I say may God bless them.

WISH
I would like the Oblates to continue with their same spirit so that they also build one for boys and later on put another block. I would also like them to improve this dormitory in ways like increasing the number of toilets, showers, to improve the kitchen to put the ceiling board and to put a wall fence. I would also like to ask people to help in this good idea because it leads to the development of the country.


SILILO KALIMBWE
HOW I FOUND MYSELF IN THE DORMITORY
My name is Sililo Kalimbwe doing my grade 11 at Phelim O’ Shea in Lukulu district in Western province.
Here is a story on how I found myself in the dormitory. Before I came to the dormitory, I used to stay at Luanchuma Basic School where I used to come from everyday to when going to school. It wasn’t easy for me to walk a for a distance of 2 hrs every day as a reason I never used to study because I used to get tired, therefore, mum found found me a house for rent where I was paying K25,000 per month and we used to find it difficult to find that amount of money every month. When the dormitory was announced, I told our teacher in charge of CAMFED about it because I am under that program. My teacher accepted because he knew the problem I was facing.
After I was paid, I went to the Parish Priest to tell me the requirements and regulations, he directed me to Br. Mbulo the one in charge of the dormitory. Br. Mbulo took me to the dormitory he showed me the room and the bed.
In the dormitory I found that life is very good but at times I used to find it difficult because everyone was new to me, but I as I stayed for two weeks I became a friend for everyone. As at now I don’t find difficulties in studying because the is power and it is near by the school. Finally, I would like to thank the Catholics who came up with this idea of building the dormitory, and also advise my fellow girls to study hard for the better future.

MONDE KALEMBA
HOW I FOUND MYSELF IN THE DORMITORY
I am a girl 18 years of age doing my grade 11 at Phelim O’ Shea High School in Lukulu Western Province. Before I came to the dormitory I used to rent a house at Lubosi of K25,000 per month.One day the head teacher announced that the Catholics are opening the dormitory so those who want to be there should tell their parents to pay K100,000 only per year.

By then I was just thinking of whom will pay for me because I didn’t have anyone to pay for me. I decided to tell my head teacher all my problems, for me being an orphan I was told by the head teacher to call one of the teacher Mr. Mutakwa one of CAMFED members, he was told by the head teacher to include me on the CAMFED program and he agreed, and he paid for me.

Br. Mbulo took me and showed me my room with a bed, I was so excited to be in such a nice dormitory. we are being provided with breakfast, lunch, charcoal and tissues. I am really enjoying my life in this dormitory, because I can wake up any time I feel like studying and I study and it is near the school.

Finally, I would like to thank the Catholics and the CAMFED members who made it possible for me to be in the dormitory, not only that but I am still promising you that I will study extra hard. Thanks to Br. Mbulo as well.


MUBUYAETA LIBAKO
HOW I FOUND MYSELF IN THE DORMITORY
I am Mubuyaeta Libako aged 17 , doing my grade 10 at Phelim O’ Shea . When I sat for my grade 9 I was very confused when thinking of where to stay if I was accepted to grade 10, by God’s will I qualified and the question of where to stay remained. Fortunately enough, dad found a place for me to stay I was just there for two weeks and I heard about the dormitory, I told dad about it.

My father went to the Parish Priest to confirm, he found that it was true, he got a form for me to fill in and I did that, fortunately enough I was accepted. In the dormitory, life is really great I am really enjoying, there is electricity, we are being provided with lunch, breakfast, tissues, charcoal its really nice. We just have to carry pots, plates food with us otherwise its great. I can study any time I feel like because it is electrified.

Br. Mbulo is the one in charge with the dormitory and he is really good to us. My advise to other pupils renting houses is that they should try by all means to convince their parents so that they pay for them to be in the dormitory because everything is in found in the dormitory.
Greetings to all the people of Zambia.


PRAISE CHINYEMBA
INTRODUCTION
I am a girl aged 17, doing my 12th grade at St. Columbus Secondary School, a Catholic and the first born in a family of two boys and two girls. My parents come from an area called Kalambwe but only my grand parents live there at present.

PAST EXPERIENCE BEFORE COMING TO THE DORMITORY
I was the only girl living with four boys and was the third oldest, were renting two houses, one for me and the other one for my brothers. Doing house chores and taking care for my brothers was all I could do for a day. We had water problem and the house was un electrified, a sum of K180,000 was spent on houses and water every month. This was taking up for my uncle Mr. Monde and uncle Mr. Chinyemba Evans as they are our only option.
Every weekends we used to walk some kilometers away from school to get food from my grand parents, inspite of all these I used to come to school for prep at night which was the only time I was relieved of work. Coming to school in the evening was not a problem but trouble came in when going back home, I could go round the classes looking for someone to accompany me home. Coming late to school became a habbit despite being aprefect

By then little was talked of the dormitory, this continued not until God came to my rescue. Mrs. Mubita our Religious Education Teacher came to our class and announced that the dormitory was being opened, was one of the 1st girls from St. Columbus who were given forms of regulations and requirements to fill in. I took it to my parents and they were pleased, it stated that each girl was to pay K100,000 per year as boarding fee which was not very difficult for my parents to raise.

IN THE DORMITORY
On 29th February, I moved in the dormitory and Siita Monde a fellow grade 12 at St. Columbus was appointed to be our matron who however has been good to the fullest with Br. Hambaba Theodore Mbulo as our Patron who is so kind and considers everyone to be equal before him and also knows all of us by name. since I came in, I have had more than what I spend on me.