Zambia - A calling from God

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In 1993 I received an open vision from God, in this vision we were in a country somewhere in Africa. I could hear a language being spoken  and even though I didn't recognize the language at the time, I knew that this was the place God was calling me to. Thirteen years later, Paul was offered a business opportunity in Zambia and after a lot of time in prayer and a confirmation from God, we sold everything we had and moved to Zambia.

 

Upon arrival I realized that the language that I had heard in the vision, was Bemba, the native language of the Copperbelt Province in Zambia. Johan, my younger brother, joined us a year after and also became part of the Zambian vision.  We all decided to walk in obedience and laid down our lives, dreams and desires to align with God’s will. In 2006 the Lord imparted and revealed a bigger picture for our immediate area and now, sixteen years later, we’re witnessing the vision coming together.

 

Our vision is to make a meaningful difference in our local community, touching lives spiritually and emotionally. We’re also committed to providing comprehensive training programs as well as putting opportunities in place that’ll empower families economically and through these opportunities, we aim to cultivate a strong sense of self-reliance and personal accountability.

 

Our beehive program has emerged as a significant undertaking, serving as a beacon of hope for villages in remote rural areas, where financial resources and opportunities are scarce. With this initiative we’re creating job opportunities by manufacturing and distributing, with the collaboration of other NPO’s and NGO’s, beehives in the greater Zambia and Angola regions. Through this project, we aim to uplift these communities by creating a sustainable source of income and empowering them with newfound prospects for a better future. By implementing hanging hives in rural areas we also contribute to the natural preservation of trees and local flora. In regions like Zambia, where the charcoal trade is huge, safeguarding these resources becomes imperative for the well-being of future generations.

 

Our hearts are to provide one meal per day to every child from small rural pre-schools and primary schools. The plight of rural communities in Zambia during the dry season is severe, particularly when it comes to food availability. The region experiences a mere five months of rainfall, leaving the rest of the year with no rain at all. As a result, food becomes incredibly scarce during this extended seven-month dry season and for many children in these rural areas, having just one meal a day becomes a true privilege.

 

Schools we are currently engaging with through feeding and training programs:

 

• Great Beginnings Christian School – Teacher Prudence – 20 pupils – Baby class to Grade 4.

• Estine Christian School – Teacher Esther – 68 Pupils – Preschool

• Kamatipa OVC School – Teacher Emmanuel – 365  Pupils – Grade R-4

• Nova Vida Pre-Primary School – Teacher Elizabeth – 40 Pupils – Pre-school

• Zamcan Orphanage – Mrs Lydia – 9 Pupils 

• Luyando Community School – Teacher Frankie Mumba – 385 Pupils

• Cclangia Community School – Teacher Jane Chiswasha – 200 Pupils

• Limapela Cedric's School - Teacher Margarite - 190 Pupils

 

Several of these schools face significant challenges due to insufficient income from school fees. As private local initiatives, they do not receive government support, and many teachers voluntarily dedicate their time to these schools, despite their meager means of livelihood. To address this issue, one of our objectives is to provide these teachers with a monthly incentive to support their households, allowing them to focus on their roles and potential in the schools fully. Our ultimate goal is to witness these dedicated teachers thriving and fulfilling their optimal potential within their educational institutions.

 

All these schools encounter challenges in various areas, including:

• Poor sanitation facilities

• Insufficient resources such as desks, textbooks, stationery, computers, educational toys, and playground equipment.

• Shortages of classrooms, leading to overcrowding and difficulty accommodating all students adequately.

 

Our vision for the next year:

 

Beehives

Our goal is to expand and develop beehives in our local community, reaching a total of 1000 beehives. Moreover, we aim to continue producing hives not only for ourselves but also for other NPOs, NGOs, and for other businesses. In the next five years, our vision is to produce approximately 75,000 hives, contributing to sustainable beekeeping practices and supporting ecological balance.

 

Feeding Scheme

Additionally, we plan to enhance our feeding scheme by extending it to 1000 children (currently 928) in our region within the next year. These children will receive a daily meal at their schools, helping to alleviate food insecurity and promote better nutrition and well-being among the community's youth.

 

Pre-Schools

• Our commitment involves active participation in four pre-schools, aiming to establish optimal functional systems to ensure that basic needs are fully met for both students and teachers.

• To enhance the quality of education, we plan to send all teachers for Jolly Phonics Training, empowering them with effective teaching methods and resources.

• To develop additional business initiatives that can generate revenue to cover the current needs of these schools, creating a sustainable and self-reliant educational environment.

• Recognizing the importance of emotional well-being, we aim to raise and train school counselors who will be dedicated to assisting students and teachers with their emotional needs, fostering a supportive and nurturing atmosphere.

• Lastly, we are committed to providing playgrounds for the schools, offering safe and enjoyable spaces where children can engage in physical activities and foster social interactions.

 

Through these efforts, we strive to create holistic and enriching educational experiences, supporting both the academic and emotional growth of the students and educators in our community.

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Welma Els