The Story of Maposa Community
In 2003, Lucky, a Christian man from Maposa, saw the need for a school in his community, as the nearest one was a government school three kilometres away, leaving many children with little hope of receiving an education because the costs of school fees were too high. In addition to education, food shortages, alcohol abuse and unemployment are some of the many challenges that people living in Maposa face. Lucky looked around at his community and said to himself, “Something has got to change”. Lucky decided to start a community school, initially teaching 15 children in a small thatched building. The work was tiring. He was the only teacher covering grades 1 to 4, using his own resources to buy school supplies. However, he continued to follow his dream to provide free education for the children of Maposa. In 2006, through support from a church, a larger building was constructed to accommodate more children. In 2008, Hands at Work saw Lucky’s efforts and began supporting him in educating the most vulnerable children. A new building was completed, enabling the school to accommodate even more children.
150 Children currently supported
13 Care Workers COORDINATed by Promise
25 km from the Luanshya Local Office
Basic Services Started in 2010
It was at that time that the Maposa Community School became the Bwafwano Community Based Organisation (CBO). In 2010, Hands at Work cast the vision to the local churches in Maposa to join Lucky and unite as Christ’s body to care for the most vulnerable children, in addition to running the local community school. As a result, 18 volunteer Care Workers from 15 churches were mobilised and trained to care holistically for the children most in need. In 2011, Care Workers began visiting the children in their homes, bringing physical, emotional and spiritual support. Eventually, Lucky stepped down from being involved in the community school and the Bwafwano CBO. However, the work that was being done to holistically care for the most vulnerable children did not stop.
The Care Workers in Maposa are growing in their relationships with each other, the children, and their Heavenly Father. A Relationship Group has started, and Care Workers and Primary Caregivers are participating well and engaging in reading scripture and sharing their burdens with one another. They are finding reconciliation and healing and are maturing as a group. Sadly, in 2016, Stephen, the long-time Community Based Organisation (CBO) Coordinator, passed away. After a season of discerning who would be the next coordinator, Promise, who was already a Care Worker, stepped into the role of coordinating the Bwafwano CBO, taking ownership of the day-to-day responsibilities with the support and involvement of the other Care Workers. Through receiving a hot, nutritious meal daily, access to education, basic health care, and the love of Christ, it is hoped that the children will grow up to be positive influences in their community.
Together with the Care Workers, the Primary Caregivers helped clear the land just beyond the current Life Centre for the new Life Centre building that was constructed in 2022. This, in turn, encouraged the older boys from the Life Centre to help, a blessing as men are not often involved. Catching the older boys’ interest now will, God-willing, encourage their continual involvement in the future.
The Luanshya team desires to involve the government in the community school, thus turning it into a government school. Though some progress has been made, this is a long process. Please stand in prayer with the Luanshya team as they take this forward.
Meet Gift
Care Worker Beatrice has a good relationship with ten-year-old Gift*. He feels safe with her and often spends time with her family at her home. At first glance, Gift and his two younger siblings seem to be doing okay as both of their parents are still alive. But there are challenges that exist beneath the surface that make this family among the most vulnerable. Sadly, Gift’s mother struggles with her mental health, making it difficult to care for her family. It is not unheard of for her to chase her children away and abuse them. Gift’s father tries to provide for his family by finding odd jobs in the community, but this is rarely sufficient in providing for all their needs. Recently, Gift’s mother gave birth to a new baby. Thankfully, the Life Centre is a safe haven for Gift, where he receives holistic care, can spend time with his friends, and dream of becoming a strong soldier who can protect others.
The local Hands at Work team in Luanshya currently supports eight Community Based Organisations, which exist to care for the most vulnerable in their communities. The office provides training, networking, and encouragement to those Community Based Organisations like Bwafwano. It also gives administrative support, including helping with funding proposals, monitoring and evaluation, bookkeeping and reporting to donors.
BE INSPIRED BY UPDATES FROM MAPOSA COMMUNITY
MORE FROM ZAMBIA
