Namumu Orphanage Center - October 2016 Update

Zambia

Dear friends of Namumu children,

Greetings from The Outreach Foundation and from the Namumu children in Siavonga, Zambia. Most children coming to Namumu have had difficult lives as a result of poverty, death of parents due to HIV/AIDS, lack of love, or emotional stress. Namumu provides elementary and high school education to all residents. Over 300 children, including those in residence, have access to elementary education at a community school started with the center’s involvement and now turned over to the community to benefit from available government resources.

In 2014, three of Namumu’s children graduated from high school with the highest scores possible. One of these children, Malachi Habasimbi, is now pursuing theological studies at Justo Mwale University, preparing to become a minister and already inspiring many young, vulnerable children.

We recently received several stories from Namumu children and would love to share one from Antia Samende, age 14, so that you can rejoice with us. Antia Samende is an orphan who hails from Mpango village west of Siavonga district. She is the first born in a family of two and is currently in sixth grade at Namumu primary school. Her father died before she was born, and she lost her mother when she was in first grade. Life became very hard for Antia after her mother’s death. In 2014 during a visit to Antia’s village, social welfare staff realized her dire situation and brought her to Namumu.

Antia is a very hardworking girl both at the home and in school. Ever since she came to Namumu, she has been first in her class. Her goal is to make high scores in 12th grade and join the list of successful students whose 2014 and 2015 results are displayed in the Namumu clinic window. Antia is calm and caring to her peers, friends, and the center leaders and caregivers. She is happy to be here because Namumu has transformed her life. Coming from a poverty stricken family that could not afford enough food to a home that has all she needs is something she will never forget. She remembers how hard it was to perform effectively in school because she had to think about what she was going to eat when she got home and worry about who would pay her school fees and how she would buy her school supplies and uniform. She wants to use this opportunity to pave the way to a better future.

Today, Antia is a completely different child from who she was just two years ago. She has improved both health wise and academically. The center has devotions every evening, which has helped her grow spiritually. Some of her neighbors and relatives now see in Antia the potential to move to self-reliance with a bright future for her and her younger sibling.

Antia plans to become a medical doctor, and she is very determined and anxious to achieve her goal. She loves reading science books, playing chess and playing netball with her friends during weekends. She is a committed member of a praise and worship team for the United Church Zambia that meets in the chapel of Namumu Center. She is very thankful to those who have impacted her life including the counseling she received from Ebralie Mwizerwa, Bill Warlick and Lee Cooper of The Outreach Foundation and for their support of the center. She is committed to continuing to encourage everyone at Namumu to work hard and not waste the opportunity they have been given.

For questions about Namumu or any other vulnerable children’s ministry of The Outreach Foundation, please contact Projects Coordinator Ebralie Mwizerwa at (615) 778-8881 or ebralie@theoutreachfoundation.org.

Grateful for your partnership,    
Ebralie Mwizerwa     
The Outreach Foundation  

This is a true life story of Antia Samende as written by Zenzo Sidembo of Namumu Orphanage Center.

Namumu’s Goal –
From Desperation to Self-Reliance
Christopher Kasanda and Florence Chisangano

Florence Chisangano and Christopher Kasanda are finally on their way to Chreso University. They entered Namumu Orphanage Center in 2004 and 2005 respectively after losing one or both parents. They were so young but determined to use every opportunity to change their situation. On their behalf, we say “thank you” for the way you poured your love into them. Your gifts helped them attend school, and your love encouraged them to keep hoping. They remember those of you who visited. You represented each of many who supported Namumu and made a huge difference in their lives. Christopher and Florence join Malachi Habasimbi in pursuing higher education. Each of them pledges to return to Namumu often to encourage the younger residents like Antia. Be blessed as you bless others in Christ’s name.

THE NEED
$60,000 for operations and $10,000 for housing repairs, equipment and skills training.

Read more about Namumu Orphanage Center by clicking HERE.