In Zambian native language, we would like to say “Zikomo Kwamberi” (Thank You Very Much) to Mission Life Center and all our sponsors for their wonderful generosity of the OZ Project. We are extremely grateful for the kind donations and would like to share with you how your donations have been put in action and our future plans for the Orphans of Zambia.

As you may know, an imperative component of the OZ Project includes maintaining a preparatory Christian school for the orphans and vulnerable children that cannot afford the local schools. When we first began this school, a deacon from our church had upon his heart to gather these children and teach them basic things such as English and Math. About 7 children used to attend “school” every day in a little hut on our church property. Eventually, through many prayers, financial contributions and volunteer teachers, we have a newly renovated school building with four classrooms, student desks, a large chapel, and fixed blackboards. The number of students has now significantly increased from 7 students in our mere beginnings to over 150 students! And when you see these young children walking to school carrying their schoolbags (or even plastic bags) with their notebooks, they are so eager to attend school. Their smiles and joy are unbelievably encouraging that anytime we have a bad day, we are immediately lifted up to the Heavens when we see these children’s smiles and their excitement at the opportunity for an education.

No longer learning in huts, the classrooms have greatly enhanced the children’s learning environment, because we are able to hang learning aids and posters for the children. We have also been able to decorate the classrooms with the children’s art work, which encourages the children for doing a job well done. The teachers have really felt a change in the character and behavior of our children since the beginnings of our school. For instance, the children, normally used to fighting and pushing, are better-behaved and are sharing now as opposed to pushing. The academic growth has also been tremendous. We have seen the children go from learning basics about the ABC’s to acing spelling exams.

In our mission to raise these children to be the next spiritual leaders and missionaries of Zambia, we focus a great deal on their spiritual life. Each class has its own devotion time in the chapel where the children sing, share the Bible, and pray together. As part of our curriculum, we also teach a Religion course to ensure their knowledge increases along with their spiritual lives. Our teachers are also growing spiritually as they meet together to share the Word of God and pray together.

The children’s physical needs cannot go unnoticed. With many children coming to school with ripped clothing or no shoes, we must provide for their needs. Through many contributions, we were able to provide winter clothing for the children in order for the children to have something warm to wear in the cold and rainy seasons. Further, blankets were also given to our children. How exciting it is to see the children overjoyed for something most of the Western world takes for granted! In addition, we gave many children food bags. Eventually, with enough funding, we would like to provide monthly food bags and hygienic supplies for the children. We also provide refreshments at school because many children are hungry and cannot learn with a hungry stomach. Last but not least, through the work we are doing in the Coptic Hospital, all the children are given free medical treatment at our hospital. Thus, any contributions for the medical hospital will be greatly appreciated.

As we are experiencing tremendous growth, our short term plan is to increase the number of classrooms, teachers and school supplies. We are also working on improving our library and equipping our students with a variety of books as well as audiovisual resources. Your contributions have been helping us get closer to this great demand.

The OZ Project’s long term plan is to eventually expand into a boarding school/orphanage. We feel that an environment where the children are in a nurturing, spiritual home such as the home that we would provide is the next step in our goal of building great leaders and missionaries for God. In order to achieve this goal, contributions are still needed in the areas of financial and technical assistance.

We see a hopeful potential in all of these orphans and see a bright future for them. Your contributions are greatly needed and can come in many forms: 1) prayer; 2) financially; 3) bringing the love to Zambia by serving. We pray that through the OZ Project, the lives of these beautiful children can become transformed into great spiritual leaders and missionaries of Zambia.

To help support the OZ Project please  visit  http://www.missionlifecenter.org/support-mlc/

Filed under: The OZ Project