2021 -

Vincent is the eldest son born from a family of seven children (2 brothers, 4 sisters). He was raised by a single mother together with his siblings after his father passed away when he was still young. His mother earned the family’s living through small scale farming, but only grew enough for the family’s consumption which in some instances, was not sufficient to last the whole year.

Vincent completed his secondary school education in 2014 and is happy to say that with the help of ZOA-Z, he was admitted to college in 2017 to train as a Registered Mental Health Nurse at Levy Mwanawasa Medical University where he graduated with a diploma in 2020.

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude for making my tertiary education possible with the financial assistance which came through at the right time when I had even lost hope.”

Vincent is currently working as a volunteer at Katondwe Mission hospital to hone his skills as he awaits to be deployed by the government. He has a bright vision for the future as he says:

“Being the firstborn from the family of 7 and the only one to complete school, I am looking forward to create opportunities for my siblings and fellow orphans even with those who have stopped school due to financial bottlenecks so that I give something back to others the same way that I have received this rare and precious support by ZOA-Z”.

Vincentwishes to thank the St. Peter Claver Society for coming through for him in his hour of need by funding his tertiary education via its sister organization ZOA-Z which is on the ground in Zambia. He truly is grateful to have his degree in nursing.

When St. Anthony Children’s Village was established in May 2003, the majority of the children were HIV infected, their mothers having died from AIDS. However, with the availability of ARVs (anti-retroviral drugs) for adults and children, more mothers are able to live and care for their children. Currently, St. Anthony’s has increased the number of vulnerable children it welcomes to include those who have been abandoned by their families, or whose mothers are incapable of caring for them, and especially those with special needs. St. Anthony’s provides both physical and emotional support to these children in a loving and caring community. As needed, the kids receive physiotherapy from a qualified physiotherapist. Caregivers continue with the exercises. The St. Peter Claver Society, which has supported St. Anthony’s since 2004, raised the necessary funds to purchase the physiotherapy equipment.

Siblings, James and Chikondi, are not orphans, but their extremely poor parents locked the children in a house without food. When James and Chikondi arrived at St. Anthony Children’s Village, they were severely malnourished; Chikonddi could not walk at all, and James was unable to walk straight. With physiotherapy and proper nutrition, they can now walk and are able to go to school. Donations are especially needed to deal with the impact of the pandemic.