Mazabuka Mumblings

At the time of writing not a great deal of rain had fallen in this part of the world so here's hoping that by the time of reading, things will have changed considerably in the weather department!

After a jolly festive season where many of us will have indulged to the limit, this is a great time to give some thought to the less fortunate people in our little community.

The Mazabuka Association For The Disabled have a Special Unit at Mazabuka Basic School for deaf and blind children. They are desperate for volunteers to help the children with art and craft projects. There are fifty four children in the Special Needs unit, and if you're able to offer your services to help them in any way, contact the Sisters at Nchete House on 032 30752.

Ndeke Community Centre Pre-School Proposal - The Ndeke Community badly needs a pre school to cope with the over 200, mostly orphaned children of pre-school age in the community. There is already a primary and secondary school and a skills training school at the centre which was built with Irish Aid money. It is proposed that the Pre-school adjoin the present structure. Contact the Sisters at Nchete House on 032 30752 if you have any fund raising ideas.

Hospice For The Mazabuka Community - Like many areas in Sub Saharan Africa where over 30 million people are HIV positive, and over 2 million people die from the disease every year, the population in Mazabuka has not been left unscathed. There are home based care programmes for the very sick in many of the communities in Mazabuka, but what is badly needed to take pressure off family members, is a hospice to take care of the dying. Local MP Griffis Nángoma is driving a project to find funding for a hospice in the Mazabuka Community. Contact him through the council offices if you can help.

The Ndekeleni Development Foundation which was generously funded by Barloworld Equipment and founded at the Ndeke Community Centre to help empower widows and orphans in the community, have started a tailoring and knitting project. They are able to make quality school uniforms and jerseys, workmen's overalls, children's clothes and men's shirts. Contact them on 032 30752 or 095 704485 or email thomo@zamnet.zm

Nchete House Women's Products Watch out for products from Nchete House Women's Club at the Dutch Reformed Church Sale on the last Saturday of every month in Lusaka, or visit them at their premises at Nchete house in Mazabuka (1 km out of Mazabuka just off the Livingstone Road and next door to the Catholic Church.) The women produce beautifully made batiks and tie and dye clothes, tablecloths, chitenge suits and children's wear.