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Cardinal Mazombwe Agricultural and Life Skills Center

December 1, 2016 By admin

Our newest project, the Cardinal Mazombwe Agricultural and Life Skills Centre, allows about 40 orphans from 10 to 21 years old to grow their own crops. Cardinal Mazombwe was the inspiration for this farm.

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His Eminance Cardinal Medardo Mazombwe (1931-2013)

Medardo Mazombwe spent his 53 years of priesthood serving the Church and the poor as a teacher at the primary and secondary school levels. He became a great promoter of education and health studies as a means of reducing poverty. He created several schools and universities, including the Catholic University of Eastern Africa in 1984. He also helped the Daughters of the Immaculate Mary build the Catholic University in Lusaka and the National Catholic University on Zambia’s Copperbelt.

As Archbishop of Lusaka between 1996 and 2006, Mazombwe established several health and medical education projects in rural areas, including a Mission Hospital and Nursing School in the area’s Mpanshya Chiefdom. Because of the many orphans of AIDS in that area, he negotiated with Chief Mpanshya for 200 acres of prime land near the hospital and nursing school to be used for a “settlement” to house and care for the many, and ever growing number of HIV orphans, as well as very many needy youths between the ages of 10 to 23 years. The orphans lived at the settlement and grew vegetables and maize to eat and sell in order to earn money to put themselves through school. A matron lived at the farm to care for the young residents, while the nearest Catholic parish provided staff to supervise the work. The Mpanshya Farm was born!

In 2014, Archbishop Mpundu of Lusaka and the Zambia Orphans Aid (ZOA) renamed the facility the “Cardinal Mazombwe Agricultural and Life Skills Centre.” The Center had already fulfilled Cardinal Mazombwe’s objective by empowering the young orphans through education to become self sufficient and prosper. Since the Center’s creation, over 150 orphans from the farm moved on to become teachers, priests, nurses, and secretaries; and others have developed skills to improve the farm’s productivity.

Our St. Peter Claver Society (SPCS) took on the farm as a charity project in 2014, initially building an extension of the farm’s pigsty, and providing numerous piglets. SPCS also improved the children’s living conditions by paying for much needed windows, doors and beds. In 2016, SPCS began providing education grants to worthy students for their post high school educations. The SPCS’ recent July 10th special second collection at St. John’s brought in enough money to support four youths for their first year of college. In Zambia, it is estimated that a college graduate is generally able to support five to six siblings and grandparents.

Before he died, the Cardinal imparted to SPCS co-founder Shimwaayi Muntemba that he wanted to build an agricultural training center on this vast farm. He envisioned a training center that would prepare young people for rural agricultural activities, thereby avoiding urban unemployment.

In memory of our late SPCS colleague, Jay LaMonica, who had visited the farm and was one of its strongest proponents, the SPCS is designating all donations made in Jay’s honor toward the building of the training center of Cardinal Mazombwe’s dream.

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Filed Under: Blog, News

Jay Lamonica 1955-2016 Rest In Peace

March 17, 2016 By admin

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Jay LaMonica a big supporter of the St. Peter Claver Society.  Our thoughts and prayers are with Jay and his family.

Quote from The Salesians of Don Bosco in West Africa have described him as “a great sheltering tree has fallen”. Many children and care givers who met him here would agree with that.

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Obituary & Guestbook (Murphy’s Funeral Home)

‘A Gifted Newsman and Even Better Human’: Producer Jay LaMonica Dies (TV Newser)

Filed Under: Blog

Pope Francis in Africa

December 8, 2015 By admin

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Pope Francis brought to Africa a message of mercy, forgiveness, and peace. And Africa gave the Pope one of the best responses: overwhelming joy and faith.

 

Countless images of joy and hope came from the five day trip to Kenya, Uganda, and the Central African Republic. From his plea to reject the throwaway culture to his call for peace in a war-torn country, the Pope brought messages and gestures for everyone. (Rome Reports)

Filed Under: Blog

Newsletters Past and Present

August 18, 2015 By admin

 

Newsletter from 2012

Filed Under: Newsletters

Success Story: Winfred

June 26, 2015 By admin

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Winfred Musenga graduated from Mulele Mwana Tailoring School in 2008. He was later employed by a Nigerian who owned a shop called DEKA CHE Fashion. He later resigned and joined Evet Fashion Designs at Arcades Shopping mall in Lusaka “And that was my last place to be employed by someone!

In April 2013 I started my own fashion shop with a domestic machine, with the help of the St. Peter Claver Society.  After three months, I managed to buy another extra industrial and domestic over locking machine. I started my business with a working capital of K3000, and because I had too many orders from my clients, I decided to buy (4) extra machines with the help from the St. Peter Claver Society. I later employed three workers so that they can help me.

I have passion towards tailoring and am willing to share my skills to the young ones or anyone who is fresh from school. The four workers I have are fresh from school; I have 3 ladies and one man. I give my workers K700 per Month and the highest gets K1, 200”

Winfred targets anyone who wants his services. He and his team are able to make wedding dresses, uniforms, ladies and men’s suits.

“My charge goes according to the pattern, “Winfred proudly explains.     dress_8070

 

“A simple dress costs K130, a complicated one is K300, wedding dresses cost K700 just for labour, ladies suits we charge k150 and for Men its k400. My future plans. I am thinking of having my own factory so that I can contribute to the job creation of our country. I also want to help orphans and vulnerable children (OVC).

Between September and October , I am thinking of having a fashion show so that we can advertise ourselves.

I thank the St. Peter Claver Society for the support that they have rendered to me. May my God pour showers of blessings to you all, without them I wouldn’t have been am today. Thank you very much once again!”

 

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One of Winfred’s Employees

 

 

 

Filed Under: Success Stories Tagged With: Winfreds Employee

Children Spotlight

June 25, 2015 By admin

Blessings was an abandoned child, who was found near the Ndola sewer ponds in a sack. A Good Samaritan who found her, took her to the local Hospital. She was named “Blessings” and is now a healthy three-year old at St. Anthony Children’s Village, where she is loved and cherished. St. Anthony’s is home to over 100 orphans and vulnerable children, many having special needs.

IMG_0365Raymond is one of several babies at St. Anthony’s, who when they failed to thrive, have been temporarily “adopted” by one of the caregivers who then carries that baby everywhere and sleeps with him or her.

Little Raymond needs our help, now more than ever. On March 3, the administrator of St. Anthony Children’s Village, sent us the following distressing news regarding  the lack of government funding, which could have a lasting impact on Raymond’s care:

Funding is becoming more and more difficult to come by. AIDS is now treated like other infections. It is said, that we  have resurrected from a death culture because of the treatment now available.  Most charities are at Crossroads right now because we are not sure when funds will become available due to the missing funds in Zambia’s Ministry of Health. We just have to trust in God that things will be sorted out and that donors will recognize the continuing need.

Thank you so much for all your hard work and your determination to help people in need. May God bless you for it.

With love and gratitude from all of us at the Village,
Sr. Philomena O.P.

 

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Little Raymond, 2010

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One of St. Anthony’s loving caregivers

 

 

Filed Under: Children Spotlight

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