December 1998
Another mini newsletter from Makeni Ecumenical Centre,
addressed to our supporters:
- Makeni Centre now has its own web site on the Internet at
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/antondil.
(But then you knew that --you're here!)
- Following the evaluation exercise for the Settlement
Projects of the Centre, loans to settlers have been
revised extensively:
(a) Housing loans, if desired, must be negotiated with
our partner in development work, Habitat for Humanity
International. Each settler may apply to Makeni
Ecumenical Centre for 12 roofsheets, for which no
repayment will be required.
(b) Subsistence Loans: During the first 6 months each new
settler can apply for K15,000 in cash and one bag of
mealiemeal per month.
(c) Crop Loans: During the first season of settlement,
each settler can apply for a crop loans consisting of: 10
kg maize seed, 50kg "D"compound, 50kg urea, and
K50,000 for ploughing.
(d) Poultry Loans: available only after construction of
an adequate poultry house by the settler --100 day-old
chicks, 10 bags of feed, medications, a set of
drinkers/feeders.
(e) Settlers who do not want a poultry loan can apply for
a second crop loan. As before, all production loans are
repayable at the time of sale of produce or chickens.
Subsistence loans are repayable within two years. All
loans will be indexed so as to eliminate the effects of
the constant devaluation of our currency. Any settlers
who repays loans within six months is exempted from the
indexing rule.
- We notice with regret that support from church
congregations overseas has dropped off rather badly in
1998.... Some supporters have complained about MEC's
continued need for support and have said we should stand
on our own two feet by now.... Easier said than done --
poverty in Zambia is now more extreme than ever before.
Local donations have dried up completely. Demanding
higher fees from the poor we serve will only still
further reduce the number of people we serve. Please
re-think this matter and pray about your giving to MEC.
The Centre will, again, organise the annual "Carols
by Candlelight" Fundraising evening in the Cathedral
of the Holy Cross. Please pray that local people will
give generously on that occasion.
Warm regards,
Yours in Christ,
Very Revd Canon Pierre J Dil,
Honorary Chairman Makeni Ecumenical Centre P O Box
50255,Lusaka, Zambia
Private mail: Private Bag RW304X, Lusaka, Zambia
Tel 260-1-274991 Fax 260-1-272437
e-mail:mecdil@zamnet.zm