Projects or People
HADA’s vision isn’t Projects, but rather helping People and giving them hope and opportunities through Projects. This story will give you a good idea of the impact being made on needy people in the catchment areas of Old Mushili and Kaloko respectively in the Southern zone of Ndola, Zambia.
Blindness
Mrs Chiti, physically challenged with blindness from birth, was educated by the Government up to grade 12 but was unable to go to college due to lack of support from her family. Because of her condition, the family neglected her and she went through a lot of suffering. Later she was married to a man who abused her very much. She had 2 children by him, a girl and a boy. Later, he died and she had no option but to resort to begging in the streets with her two children.
Hope is Born
Her neighbours told her about Arising Life Ministries and suggested she seek material support from ALMS. She came with her two children and after hearing her story, we counselled her and asked whether she would allow her two children to start school. She was excited but sad as she pondered who would guide her in the streets with both her children at school. We encouraged her about the importance of her children receiving education and after a long discussion, she agreed with us.
But How?
However, despite receiving a lot of scolding, abuse and humiliation of the worst kind, from the streets, her survival depended on being there. How would she manage to support her two children without begging on the streets? It took our Counsellor a long time to convince her and come to terms with the new arrangement.
She lived in an unfinished home with no doors or roof. So, we invited her to look for a better, small, one-roomed house which ALMS now rents for her and her children. They love school and don’t ever want to go back on the streets.
Blindness Sees a Way Ahead
Mrs Chiti communicates well in English and now translates for the women when we have seminars and meetings with other partners from outside who cannot speak our local language. What a wonderful achievement for the children, the mother and Arising Life Ministries. Now a happy woman facing challenges still, she is off the streets and loves to sell beans and other dried produce. We look forward to the opportunity of giving her the initial capital to start a small business so that she can fend for her family independently without begging. Meanwhile, ALMS continues to support her with rental money, and the supply of other essential commodities.
Impacting Others
How impacting her story has been on the community and our work because:
- This family is no longer begging on the streets, which is very humiliating and dangerous;
- The children have been enrolled in school and are enjoying their education;
- Mrs Chiti is in a safe home enjoying the human dignity and respect that she deserves as a mother, unlike the humiliating life she lived on the street;
- Mrs Chiti has the ability to learn and is willing to do business once we empower her with start-up capital. She will definitely go far in her life with her children.
You Can Make a Difference
If you would like to assist in the development of the P4K Zambia – Education and Community Care Program, then just click on the donate button accompanying this post. Thank you.
