October 2011
A GOOD LEADER - A leader should be practical; he must demonstrate what he or she teaches. Pastor Chanda is an example of such a leader. He is a loan beneficiary from Ephrath Church and uses his business to support his family, his Ministry and his community. He has invested his micro loan into farming and is expecting to generate about K 6,000,000 in profit this year. One way he serves his community is by selling his vegetables at a cheaper price.
When asked about this Pastor Chanda said, "I keep my prices low so that needy families can afford to buy the vegetables." He also allows needy families to collect the bottom leaves from his cabbage for free. The bottom leaves while not as desirable as the cabbage head, are still nutritious. While visiting Pastor Chanda's farm there were at least six people collecting leaves. He is also helping an elderly church member by giving him a garden space and teaching him how to manage vegetables.
We believe that Church development will result in Community transformation. We can see this happening in individuals like Pastor Chanda who is more concerned about the needy in his community than his own profits. If other believers were to follow Pastor Chanda's example, Samfya would be a community transformed by the love of Christ. We look forward to that day.
June 2011
"Mr. Kafute, I am not going to survive, I don't want to waste your time, let me just die." Mavies Chomba had AIDS. She had lost her ability to hope. Feeling very sick, unable to walk or even stand to her feet, she wanted to die. But Mr. Kafute, SCCP's Home Based Care Coordinator, held onto faith.
He returned the next day with Bright Hope Intern Heather Cogswell. They sat and talked with her, encouraging her with testimonies of other overcomers until Mavies finally agreed to seek help. Heather drove her to Samfya's health center and started ARVs in April of 2010.
By mid-June, not only was Mavies able to stand on her own, but she was also able to walk – up to 2 kilometers! She had made a very quick recovery within the span of just 3 months! Now Mavies is able to do her normal work and has even started trading in fish.
During a follow up home visit Mavies said "Mr. Kafute, I am very surprised, what magic has been played in my body that has made me recover so quickly? Thank you very much. May God bless you and your noble work. I want to thank the management and board who have brought [home based care] service closer to us, I think by now I could be dead. I wish my God to bless Heather for giving in her time to transport me to the hospital. I thank her so much."
February 2011
Yamishi Mwamba is a student who was blessed by being a part of SCCP's education sponsorship from 2006 to 2008, when he completed his grade 12 level at Samfya High School. Since graduating from High School, Yamishi has found God to be faithful to provide for all his needs, especially through the help of an SCCP microloan. He testifies that with God nothing is impossible. However, he has seen a great deal of struggle in his life up to now.
Yamishi was born in 1984 and became a single orphan when his father passed away in the year 2000. Yamishi was 16 years old at that time but was only in grade 5. After his father's death, Yamishi found it increasingly difficult to meet the necessary requirements to continue to attend school. However, being a very active in the New Apostolic Church, he was identified by his church council for sponsorship from SCCP. Yamishi was selected for sponsorship and in 2008 he completed his grade 12 level, passing in four subjects.
Now that he graduated from school, Yamishi felt the pressure to be the bread winner for his widow mother and his three younger sisters. Determined to help his family, Yamishi, purchased a few items to sell such as soap, milk, and lotion. Through this small business, he was able to help support his family. Then, Yamishi received a SCCP microloan. He used this capital to purchase more items for his small shop as well as buy construction materials. He received a contract to make 7000 molded bricks. As he lives in an area with high population growth, these bricks are in high demand. Through the making and selling of these bricks, as well as his small shop, Yamishi believes he, and his family, will soon be self sustainable.
Yamishi Mwamba is very thankful to SCCP, the donors, and his church who have all helped to give him the opportunity to succeed.
