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.
Obituary & Guestbook (Murphy’s Funeral Home)
‘A Gifted Newsman and Even Better Human’: Producer Jay LaMonica Dies (TV Newser)
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)
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. 
“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!”
One of Winfred’s Employees
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.
Raymond 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.
Little Raymond, 2010
One of St. Anthony’s loving caregivers
