It takes a whole village to raise a child
….and thanks for being part of the village! The sponsored children, their relatives, their guardians, their communities, and their teachers continually thank the Canadians for helping the children. They are deeply grateful and always pray that they will be counted among the fortunate to be helped.
Education in Zambia is not taken for granted.
While I’ve been in Zambia these past few months helping with the Sponsorship program I’ve had opportunity to visit each of the schools where ZMF-C has students very regularly to review the children’s academic, spiritual, social and emotional growth. What a blessing it is to spend time with these wonderful kids – the pleasure is all mine!
Last week I met with the Namwianga Christian Basic Sponsored students and their parents/guardian (photo above) to review some of the basic expectations of ZMF-C and what is required by the parent/guardian.
ZMF-C highly values educating children, partnerships, independence and dignity. (See website for more on vision, mission and values.) I explained that ZMF-C believes that change starts with educating children as education is the catalyst that will lead to improving socio-economic conditions for families, communities and the whole of Zambia. Also, I explained that ZMF-C understands that the issue of poverty which contributes to the seeking of sponsorship is complex and that ZMF-C desires to work alongside the Zambians in educating the children ~ so that dignity is not destroyed.
At the meeting we shared how important it is for ALL of us to partner together to raise these wonderful children. I emphasized that ZMF-C pays for school fees but the children and the parents/guardians are responsible to provide other necessities – school uniforms, shoes, food, and whatever else is needed. It is a partnership agreement.
As part of the ZMF-C all sponsored students are expected to volunteer their mornings to various ZMF-C projects as a way of showing gratitude for their sponsorship. As you can see in the photo above we have a few children that are quite small and are not able to do this work. At the meeting one of the guardians suddenly understood the concept of volunteerism and offered to volunteer herself weekly for the young one! Pretty awesome.
3 – grade 11
Kalomo High girls volunteering last Saturday at ZMF-C orphan home. Taking the babies for a walk!
Left to right
Dyness, Sonia &
Delphister
Please continue to pray for your sponsored student. They face many challenges daily – more than you can imagine.
I count it also a privilege to be able to work with this wonderful group of God’s precious children and to be part of this team here in Zambia.
Sue Krogsgaard
ZMF-C
