Zambia

Zambia has moved from being a major copper producer and potentially one of the continent's richest countries at independence in 1964 to one of the world's poorest.

A colonial legacy, mismanagement, debt and disease are said to have contributed to the country's tribulations.

Politically, it switched from colonial government into an era of one-party rule lasting 27 years, and for the past decade has been what some call an emerging democracy.  The fall in copper prices led to much poverty in the central area, but this may now be reviving.

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News from our Link Diocese in Central Zambia

Diocese of Central Zambia

Capital:                          N’Dola

Diocesan President:      Dorcas Kandeo

Workers:                        Rebecca Tamba, Florence Mwaba Mumba, Violet Chitelela

In October 2009, Felicity Hawke visited Central Zambia following the Special Regional Meeting in Lusaka , accompanied by her husband Nigel.  A report and pictures will be available elsewhere on the site.

The Bishop of Central  Zambia, Derek Kamukwamba and his wife Evelyn visited Coventry after the Lambeth Conference in 2008.

  One of the major projects funded by Mothers’ Union is the Margaret Hall School of Tailoring, named after Margaret Wijnberg, who worked there fore many years, and who has now retired to Suffolk.  Many sewing macMargaret Hallhines have been sent out over the years by MU and Tools With a Mission.  In 2009 the Government put up the registration fees overnight  from K200,000 pa. to K5 million, maki ng it very difficult for students to enrol. They are fighting this, along with other charitable schools and they also have problems recruiting teachers.  The buildings are also in need of renovation.  However, many students have graduated successfully, and gone on to run their own businesses or to employment in local workshops.

Students working in the Tailoring School

Students working in the Tailoring School

There are now plans to start a secretarial school in Luanshya, if they can get hold of computers.

The MU were considering purchasing a property at , with a view to starting a girls Secondary  School there.  They were very concerned as Kapiri, being a truckers junction and stop over, has many girls whose only future is as sex workers - and probably a short one, due to HIV/AIDS.  It was hoped that a secondary education might give them better chances in life.

Visit to Zambia – Felicity Hawke

Over 70 people gathered in Kenilworth for a Zambia evening on 16^th January.   Felicity Hawke showed pictures and spoke about her recent visit to Zambia, and Dr Stephen Nyirongo spoke about the Kickstart Initiative, which has funded and built a school in Central Zambia and was visited by Felicity.  The evening included a quiz, Zambia style food and music.  Over £130 was raised for the Overseas Fund and another £70 was received in gift-aided donations.

Further events are as follows: