Siblings Improving Daily Since Coming to St. Anthony Children’s Village

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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. 

James

James’ sister, Chikondi

Herbert

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This handsome young boy was found near the Ndola Teaching Hospital where he had been abandoned by a relative, because his stepmother refused to accept him.  Herbert has found a loving home at St. Anthony Children’s Village, Ndola, Zambia, which has been supported by the St. Peter Claver Society since 2004.

2020 See’s Virtual Candy Sale

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ST. PETER CLAVER SOCIETY Supporting African Orphans 2020 See’s Candy Sale

Treat yourself to the yummiest candy on earth, AND at the same time help to change the life of an African child for the better! The St. Peter Claver Society (SPCS) was formed in 2004 in response to the AIDS crisis in Africa, which resulted in the deaths of thousands of parents of young children.  Over the past 16 years the SPCS has made it possible for many of these orphans to receive antiretroviral treatment and attend preschool and secondary school, with some going on to college or learning technical skills.   A committee of dedicated parishioners from St. John the Beloved Catholic Church in McLean, Virginia, has worked to carryout its mission to assist orphans of AIDS, mainly in Zambia. The proceeds from our fundraisers go to providing shelter, nutrition, health care and education to children and youths with special needs at projects managed by Catholic institutions.  About 20% of Zambian children under 17 years old are orphans and many others live in abject poverty.  (For further information, go to www.saintpeterclaversociety.org or to St. Peter Claver Society@spcsstjohnthebeloved on Facebook.) Every December, the SPCS has raised money by selling See’s candies after weekend masses at St. John’s; however, given the current COVID-19 restrictions, this year the we will be selling See’s candies online.  To help break the cycle of poverty, please shop for your Christmas gifts online by CLICKING HERE Orders will be shipped after 16 November and can be made up until 4 December.  Get free shipping within the U.S. (including Alaska and Hawaii) on orders over $65.00. Over the past 16 years, we have seen many destitute young people’s lives changed for the better and with your support the St. Peter Claver Society will continue to advance its mission of improving the lives of African orphans.  We hope we can count on your support. Here’s to acheiving sweet success!

2020 Update on the Cardinal Mazombwe Agricultural and Life Skills Training Center

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For several years the St. Peter Claver Society (SPCS) has had the mission of fulfilling the late Cardinal Medardro Joseph Mazombwe’s vision of a rural center that would train young Zambians in agricultural skills, so that they could support themselves and their families and avoid migrating to urban areas.  As is the case in so many developing countries, migration in Zambia from rural areas to the cities has led to joblessness, violence, drugs, and other social problems.  Cardinal Mazombwe dreamed of stemming the tide by providing young people in those rural areas the skills they would need to make their lives there successful.

Initially, the SPCS hoped to build an agricultural training center on property within the Diocese of Lusaka.  Problems developed at that location, however, with the existing wells and the alkaline content of the water.  Moreover, the resident farm coordinator passed away unexpectedly and, under new Diocesan leadership, priorities changed.  Fortunately, Bishop Valentine Kalumba of the Livingstone Diocese informed SPCS founder Shimwaayi Muntemba of his interest in having the center located there.  Bishop Kalumba shared our plans and related information with the Diocesan Development and Livelihood Department which is managed by CARITAS, the international coordinator of Catholic relief and social service organizations.  The CARITAS director, Father Klemens, was put in charge of the project and he, together with a Diocesan committee, identified a suitable location in the Makunka parish based on the type of soil and vegetation and the welcoming attitudes of the local communities. In addition, Dr. Muntemba lives several months a year in Livingstone and will be able to consult personally with Fr. Klemens and the Diocesan committee.

Much preparatory work has been done since them.  A local committee of priests, parishioners, and community leaders has been formed to guide development of the project.  A water expert has been engaged to assess the possibility of repairing a collapsed well or sinking a new one to assure a dependable source of water.  Detailed plans had already been prepared for building two classrooms, two dormitories and a teacher’s house.  A contractor has now been engaged to advise on the budget and the most cost-effective approach to construction.

After many unanticipated, but understandable, delays we are encouraged by the progress and optimistic that construction of the Cardinal Mazombwe Agricultural and Life Skills Training Center (CMTC) will begin in the not-too-distant future.  Many generous donors to the St. Peter Claver Society have contributed to help with the fulfillment of Cardinal Mazombwe’s dream.  We have reserved the donations received for this purpose until we are confident of the local support and planning and that the project will be a success.

Cardinal Mazombwe’s dream became the dream of the St. Peter Claver Society and its faithful, generous donors.  We believe the Cardinal is smiling in heaven as the plans for “his” project take concrete shape, and he will ask the Lord’s blessing on making the CMTC a reality.  May it be for the greater glory of God!

Who was Cardinal Mazombwe? He was Zambia’s first Cardinal who had a lifelong devotion to promoting education. In fact, during his 53 years as a priest, he established many universities, nursing schools, hospitals and education centers.

 

St. Peter Claver Society’s 2020 Special Collection

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Responding to the COVID-19 Impact on Zambian Orphans

In late May, 2020, Sister Lucia, St. Anthony Children’s Village Administrator, reached out to the SPCS with an urgent request for $3000 to deal with the COVID-19 outbreak in Zambia. To expedite the aid, SPCS has sent the $3000 from funds on hand to cover the rising costs of diapers, detergent, face masks, sanitizers, cleaning materials and food stuffs.

Please help us replenish those much-needed funds. In addition, SPCS is committed to sending St. Anthony’s $10,000 by the end of July, our annual stipend.

Your generosity is greatly appreciated. Tax deductible donations can be made through Faith Direct, online at saintpeterclaversociety.org or by mailing checks payable to St. John’s with SPCS on the memo line to:

St. John the Beloved Catholic Church
6420 Linway Terrace, McLean, VA 22102
The St. Peter Claver Society is sponsored by
St. John’s and donations are deductible toextent allowed by law.

 

ST PETER CLAVER SOCIETY SPECIAL COLLECTION

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In early June 2018, SPCS Committee member Bob Jansen visited St. Anthony Children’s Village in Ndola, Zambia. Sister Lucia, Project Manager, has advised SPCS of the need to raise about $3000 to replace worn out linens for the 105 orphans, many of them special needs children. She has asked for our help. Your generosity is greatly
appreciated.

 

 

 

 

 
 

St. Peter Claver Society for African Orphans Sponsored by St. John the Beloved Catholic Church, McLean, Virginia

All proceeds will go to purchase much needed bedding. Please make checks out to St. John the Beloved with St. Peter Claver Society in the memo line or give online through Faith Direct.

SPCS Committee member Bob Jansen at St. Anthony’s June, 2018

Who was Cardinal Mazombwe?

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Who was Cardinal Mazombwe? He was Zambia’s first Cardinal who had a lifelong devotion to promoting education. In fact, during his 53 years as a priest, he established many universities, nursing schools, hospitals and education centers.

 

After observing the alarming number of orphans of AIDS in Zambia, the cardinal obtained 200 acres of land near a hospital and nursing school he had founded. His aim was to interest orphans and very poor young people to live at the farm and raise crops and livestock for their own consumption and to earn money to put themselves through school. Since 2002, this enterprise has been very successful in helping almost 200 young adults graduate as teachers, nurses, priests and more efficient farmers who are now self-sufficient and able to help their siblings. Cardinal Mazombwe wanted to stem the flow of orphans to the cities where they are generally unemployed, and too often resort to crime and prostitution, in order to survive.

Second year of paying tuition for 4 Zambian Students.

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The St. Peter Claver Society‘s July 8-9 second collections will pay for tuition for the following four young adults, who live at the Cardinal Mazombwe Agricultural and Life Skills Centre in Zambia. They need $4,500 to help them complete their second year of studies.

ALICK ZIMBA, 22, who is taking a three year course at the Chongwe School of Education. Alick reports: I have loved the teaching profession since I was a small boy and I really have been inspired by friends who have done teaching. My future plan is to look after my two siblings who are still at school, I would love to give them the best I can.

THOMAS NJOLE,20, who is studying nursing at St. Luke’s School of Nursing. Thomas notes: I chose nursing because of my desire is to serve people lives. My future plans are to educate my young sisters and brothers and also to help other vulnerable children.

JONATHAN ZULU, 24, who is taking a three year course in plumbing and sheet metal at the Ukwim Trade Institute. Jonathan reports: I have been interested in this course since grade nine. My uncle used to take me with him to his workplace so I observed everything he did. My desire is to get more knowledge. My plan is to build a house for my parents and to support my three siblings all through their education.

REGINA CHULA, 19, who is enrolled in a seven year course in medicine and surgery at the University of Zambia. According to Regina: I chose this course because I am passionate about saving people lives. My plans for the future are to reduce poverty levels in my area by helping Vulnerable Children like me continue their education by providing scholarships.

Download this information.

Annual Mother’s Day sales

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For the first time, the St. Peter Claver Society annual Mother’s Day sales will be selling coffee imported from Zambia which is freshly roasted locally by Beanetics Coffee Roasters in Annandale. In addition, SPCS will be offering coffee/ travel mugs with the design depicted above for sale after Masses on the weekends of April 30, May 6-7 and May 13-14. Two preteen boys created the design and wording which nicely captures both empathy for orphans and gratitude toward one’s mother.

The Coffee sells for $12, ceramic and travel mugs for $10 each, and at a special price: both Coffee + Mug for $20. All profits go toward supporting orphans and children in need at our three projects in Zambia: St. Anthony’s Children’s Village, the Mulele Mwana breakfast and lunch program; and the Cardinal Mazombwe Agricultural and Life Skills Centre.

Quote from St. Peter Claver:

“We must speak to them with our hands by giving, before we try to speak to them with our lips.”

St. Peter Claver Society

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