2022 SUMMER FUNDRAISER FOR THE CARDINAL MAZOMBWE LIFE SKILLS AND AGRICULTURAL TRAINING CENTRE

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ST. PETER CLAVER SOCIETY 2022 FUNDRAISER

Zambia’s first Cardinal, His Eminence Medardo Mazombwe, had a dream before his death in 2013: to build an agricultural training center where disadvantaged young people would be prepared for adulthood and learn the skills necessary for rural farming and husbandry, thereby avoiding the many problems accompanying urban migration. The St. Peter Claver Society an apostolate of St. John the Beloved Catholic Church has been working with many Zambian partners over the years to make this dream a reality. We are pleased to report that construction of the Cardinal Mazombwe Life Skills and Agricultural Training Center (CMTC) is well underway with the building of the classroom block, staff house and dormitory. None of this would be possible without our donors’ on-going generous financial support and prayers, for which we are very grateful.

Classroom block under construction

The CMTC is located on a 59-acre property donated by the Makunka parish of the Livingstone Diocese of Zambia. Until recently the project was managed by CARITAS, but Bishop Kalumba transferred management to the Curia on May 30, 2022 and assigned Father Barnabas as project manager. The next phase of the project will include a second dormitory, solar lighting and furnishings for all the buildings.

Roof on the staff house almost complete

Transfer from CARITAS to the Curia with Vicar General, Father Mulasikwanda, looking on.

Success Story: Vincent T.

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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.

 

 

 

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 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.

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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