So, I'm guessing you already know that a week today I'm off to Zambia - a slight change from Burnage! I'm going with a Christian charity called Dignity and will be working as part of a team of 6 adults and 3 kids!
We will be staying in the copper belt region of Zambia and dividing our time between a big town called Chingola and the surrounding bush areas. In Zambia 60% of the population live in the bush but most of the churches and Christians are in the cities so the rural regions are largely unreached and pretty poor.
Dignity's heart is to help the churches in the rural areas and from their work to date, they know that there are many devoted Christians in Africa, who selflessly dedicate their time and energy to helping others in need. However, these same people are hampered in their endeavours through extreme poverty and a lack of support themselves.
The ‘Life!’ initiative aims to assist these people as we recognise that the best people to reach Zambian villagers are Zambians themselves! We will support them spiritually by developing their leadership abilities and Christian Faith. We will also support them practically by transferring the skills necessary to improve their crop yields, start micro-businesses or learn basic health care techniques. Most importantly, we will train these individuals to become teachers themselves, in turn, passing on to others what we have taught them. This will nuture self-sufficiency and the belief that their communities can transform their own lives.
Dignity have previoulsy been involved with the construction of Mibila Village Clinic which opened in November 2006 and currently has over 1600 patients, with approximately 50 new registrations every week. Hand-in-hand with "Life!" DIgnity are assiting with the construction of a house for the clinic staff that will allow government funding to be applied for, ensuring the longevity of the clinic.
Alongside helping with "Life!", my main area of responsibility will be the project managing of this construction project, bringing in my skills and experience as an architect. I'm sure architecture African style will be totally different to anything I've done before, but some of the difficulties encountered will no doubt require the same skills as those required back home.
So there you go! That's where I'm going, who I'm going with and what I'm doing! I'm very excited but also a little scared...but I believe God calls us to do things that challenge us cause us to grow whilst also asking us to love those around us. So I'm ready to "Go For It"!
