2011 Fifth Distribution Post 4: Primary Students Receiving School Fees (September sponsorships)

Matron 70 above and Nathan 128

Best 135 above and Mesha 155 below

Lotia 247 above and Purity 401 below

Miyanda 1061 above and Chisuta 1064 below

Jenifer 1060 below

Clivert 372 below

The World is Missing One Precious Boy Today

"It is with this deep sorrow and grief to let you know that we lost Clever Mulomba. As an organization, we are deeply saddened for the loss of this child who could have contributed to the development of our country.

We are also praying that God will strengthen the Mulomba family during this trying moment. The mother to the lost boy is poor such that she cannot manage to handle the funeral expenses etc. If there are people that can help out there. Here is what is required:

Coffin=$175

Transport to carry the body to the village=$100

Food at the funeral=$180

Transport for the office staff to attend the funeral=$200

Am sure there could be other expenses that will re-surface while we are in the community. The mother will be struck with grief and made need food support.
So far this is what is needed however, if we can have more support for this family it will lighten the heavy burden the old lady is carrying. As an organization, we need to attend the funeral of this child.

I have seen the funds that you have sent so far that could have helped the boy get treatment. Please thank the sponsors so much and May God bless them. Actually before he died I received a message that he needed to be evacuated to Lusaka for special treatment as the doctor's recommendation. It's like you knew that he would be required to get to there."

It all just happened so fast. We must learn from this and do things differently from here on out so that we do not lose any more children. If the parents know that we are here to help, I think they will reach out sooner. If we catch this is time, we can resolve with issue with protein rich diets and medicines at home.

This death should not have happened.  We are in a place where we always have something to eat in our homes and easy access to medical care.  Please share your comments and concerns with the group. This death has hit me hard, and I know it will affect some of you as well. We need the support of each other.

If you would like to help with the funeral expenses you may use the checkout button on the right hand side of this blog.  We have set up a fund so that we do not lose any more children due to medical reasons that can be fixed with treatment.  Any excess funds collected will go into an account to get seriously ill children an immediate medical exam to assess their needs.   Thank you for all you do.

2011 Fifth Distribution Post 3:Primary Students Receiving 25kg Mealie Meal (May sponsorships)

Chinyama 67 above and Christopher 72 below

Shadreck 117 below

Shadreck 117 above and Catherine 45 below

Chintu 158 below

Ivin 429 above and Jannet 430 below

2011 Fifth Distribution Post 2:Primary Students Receiving Socks and Nice School Shoes (May sponsorships)

Astridah 91 above and Hampande 99 below

Felistus 103 above and Beene 142 below

Emeldah 150 above and Honester 264 below

2011 Fifth Distribution Post 1: Secondary Students Receiving 2/3 Tuition (May sponsorships, $15 rate)

Brenda 18 above and Eunister 39 below

A Boy to be Healed

Clever's condition has worsened.  It just kills me to see him like this.  This is not acceptable for any child!!  They are not sure what is ailing his tummy, but the malnutrition is something that is 100% preventable.  I have to think that Clever's mother didn't know there was help out there and that is why it took so long for her to reach out to CHILDHOPE. 

Now that she has reached out, the situation is so dire, that I just pray we are given enough time (by God) to save this child. 

In many poor countries malnutrition is so rampant that most mothers have seen at least one of their children die.   Can you imagine?!  If that does not speak a thousand words, I don't know what does!  If you are a mother, you can expect that at least one of your children will die!  I have 2 daughters myself, and even if I had 11 children, it would be too much for me to watch 1 of those 11 children die!!  How these ladies are strong enough to carry on and do the best for their children in spite of these extreme heartaches I do not know.

Imagine being a mother and seeing your child like this and not being able to do anything  about it.  This is not my child, but yet, I feel like all of these children are my responsibility.  I just wish I could get to the hospital and put my arms around them and harrass the doctors and nurses to get them the care they need.  Since I can't, I will do all that I can do from here.

A World to be Healed

“If the world is to be healed through human efforts, I am convinced it will be by ordinary people, people whose love for this life is even greater than their fear. ”

Joanna Macy (born 1929);

Our new friends for widows program is off to a great start!   We still have 4 widows left, so let me know if you would like to help them.  These women are the back bone of their families- they must play the role of mother and father, and some are raising their grand kids as well.  Talk about some amazing women!!    (Fines above is the lady whose son is in the hospital currently- please keep her and her son Clever in your thoughts and prayers).

I Have Three Words For You...

Letters have arrived!!

One of Our Children was Rushed to the Hospital

For those of you who do not follow us on the yahoo group, I am sending you the message here.  At last distribution, a child was brought to Chim's attention.  He appeared to be very ill, and Chim returned to Lusaka with a video, photo and information about the boy.  The boy's name is Clever.  He just got a sponsor a few days ago actually. 

Yesterday (Saturday), his belly was swelling.  Thanks to his new sponsor, the family was given funds to get him treated.  At first they were headed to the clinic, but it was soon clear that they would need access to the equiptment and medicines that would be easier provided by a hospital.  They rushed him on to the hospital. 

Now, we must sit and wait for word from Chim.  He is already headed to Mazabuka, and he will send us updates once he is there.  He does not have a car, so relying on public transportation will make some things difficult, but as soon as I know something, I will let you all know.  I know everyone is worried about him.  Please continue to keep him and his mother in your thoughts and prayers! 

Waiting a Long Time - 9th Graders

Three of the unsponsored children in the first 100 children to enroll are in 9th grade. These children hope to find a find a sponsor before they graduate the program, which will happen in December, if they pass on to 10th grade. Moving to 10th grade requires doing well on a large test, so these children can really use the support and encouragement that sponsorship provides. These children can be sponsored for $15 or $9 a month. If you can sponsor one of these young adults, please send an email to macandmic@gmail.com.

Above is Lucky Mwaabwa (#50). His caretaker is an older brother. It must be tough for the brother to provide for Lucky, even basic things like school fees. Lucky enjoys running, enjoys studying languages (Tonga and English) and hopes to be a TV anchor man when he's older. *not sponsored*

Above is Chinyama Madyabi (#56). She lives with her mother and 7 siblings. She helps at home by washing the dishes. She likes studying math and English and hopes to be a nurse when she grows up. *not sponsored*

Above is Maureen Milimo (#80). She lives with her father and 8 siblings. She also dreams of being a nurse. She enjoys studying math and she plays volleyball in her free time. *not sponsored*

Waiting a Long Time - 4th Graders

We have 5 unsponsored fourth graders left in the first 100 children to enroll in the program. These are the youngest unsponsored children remaining in the first 100. A year must feel like just about forever to a fourth grader. These children can be sponsored for just $9 a month. If you can sponsor one of the children below, please send an email to macandmic@gmail.com.

Above is Malambo Hanzenkule (#74). He lives with his father, 2 brothers and 2 sisters and dreams of being a teacher when he grows up. *not sponsored*

Below is Ellen Makoye (#73). She lives with her father, 1 brother and 4 sisters. She currently enjoys studying math, and she dreams ofbeing a nurse when she grows up. *not sponsored*

Above is Kasamba Choonya (#71). She is one of the many children in the program being raised by grandparents. Kasamba lives with her grandmother, 1 brother and 5 sisters. She likes studying math, and she helps around the house by doing the cooking. She hopes to be a teacher when she's older. *not sponsored*

Below is Alex Madyabi (#68). He lives with his mother, 2 brothers and 2 sisters. He likes playing soccer, and he helps at home by cleaning the house. He enjoys studying math and hopes to be a teacher when he's older. *not sponsored*

Above is Fides Hamoonga (#65). She lives with her mother, 1 brother and 2 sisters. She hopes to be a burse when she's older. She helps her family with cooking, and enjoys playing netball in her free time. *not sponsored*

Waiting a Long Time- 7th and 8th Grade Boys

Joseph Nyeleti #11 (above) is 15 years old and one of three 7th graders in this post. His favorite subject is English, and he would like to be a policeman when he grows up. He lives with his grandfather, 2 brothers and 1 sister. *not sponsored*

Mboozi Miyoba #12 (above) is the 2nd 7th grader in this group of boys. He is 14 years old, and just as Joseph wants to be a policeman when he grows up. His favorite subject is math. He lives with his father, 2 brothers and 2 sisters. *not sponsored*

Morgan Shamilimo # 14 (above) is the 3rd 7th grader in this post. He will turn 15 on June 3rd of this year. Like the other two 7th graders, he wants to be a policeman when he grow up (I think they must have had a discussion about it while they waited in line to get enrolled in the sponsorship program). Morgan's favorite subject is Tonga. He is responsible for the hunting in the household to provide meat for his aunt and and the extended family. He lives with his aunt, her family, and 2 brother and 2 sisters. *not sponsored*

Stephen Mweemba #15 (above) is 14 years old and in 8th grade. You will never guess what he wants to be when he grow up... Yep, a policeman!! His favorite subject is math, and he lives with his father, 2 brothers and 2 sisters. *not sponsored*

Milimo Hamanenga #16 (above) is 16 and in the 8th grade. Unlike the other young men in this post, Milimo would like to be a teacher when he grows up. His favorite subject is math. He lives with his uncle, 3 brothers and 6 sisters. *not sponsored*

I was looking back at our children who have been waiting for a sponsor for a long time. I was surprised to see that most of the children waiting are boys. In this post and even the earlier one, all of the children left from ID #20 and below are all boys. These are fine young men who have struggles, too. These children that are not living with their parents have it even harder as they are usually the last in the family to get school fees paid for them, if at all. It is very important that they find a sponsor if they have any hope of completing school and breaking the cycle of poverty.

If you would like to sponsor one of these cool young men, send an e-mail to macandmic@gmail.com

Extraordinary

“Overcome the notion that you must be regular. It robs you of the chance to be extraordinary.”

Uta Hagen (1919-2004);

Our Very First Children Enrolled

Godfrey/Geofrey Banda above finally has a sponsor after a more than 1 year wait!  I am so excited for him!  He was our first child enrolled in the program and now he is sponsored!! 

Leonard Mweetwa #2 (above) was the second child in line to enroll in our sponsorship program in April 2010.   On July 4th of this year, he will turn 11.  Sponsorship would make a great birthday present for hm!!   He works hard in school, likes math, and loves to read.  He would like to be a teacher when he grows up.  He lives with his father and two brothers.  *not sponsored*

Hinny Mulinga was the 5th child in line to enroll in April 2010.  He is the younger brother of Pretty and older brother to Ray and Lee.  He just turned 12 on April 28th.  He wants to be a pilot when he grows up, and his favorite subjects in 6th grade are English and math.  He lives with his grandmother, 2 brothers and 1 sister (his sister is actually out of town going to school, but she comes back to visit on school holidays).  *sponsored*

Adry Simweene was the 6th in line to enroll in the sponsorship program.   He is in grade 6 and turned 12 on the 4th of April.  His favorite subject is math, and he loves to read.  He is in an especially tough spot because he is from a large family and he is the only child enrolled in the sponsorship program.  There are 6 girls and 5 boys in his family and they live with their father.  *not sponsored*

I am posting this because we have our first child now with a sponsor.  The other 3 boys are the remaining 3 children that were in the first 10 children to enroll in the program.  They have all been waiting for a sponsor since April 2010.  If you would like to sponsor Leonard #2 or Adry #6, send an e-mail to macandmic@gmail.com Thank you for helping these children!!

Mazabuka Times April 2011

If you are having trouble reading the small print on the above newspaper article, click on it to enlarge.  This article is sure to bring more children and families to the CHILDHOPE sponsorship program, so keep up the good work!!   As you can see, it is bringing positive change to Mazabuka, Zambia.   One such change was noted by Mr Akushanga from Simwaba Basic School.  Mr. Akushanga mentioned that the children that would usually be missing from class because of lack of school uniforms or books are now in attendance- with almost 100% attendance rate!! 

I can not say this enough- THANK YOU!!  THANK YOU!!  THANK YOU!!  For all you do!!

Happy Anniversary!!

One year ago yesterday, a sponsorship program commenced. Since then, over 300 children have found sponsors!! To all of our supporters, thank you for helping our children! It is amazing what a difference you have made in their lives! 

To those who have not yet joined us, take a moment to open your heart and fall in love with Zambia and it's people! 

“What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination, will affect everything. It will decide what gets you out of bed in the mornings, what you do with your evenings, how you spend your weekends, what you read, who you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you. Fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide everything.”

Pedro Arrupe (1907-1991);