Dear Friends of Makeni,
It has been a long time since I have
communicated with you. Last I wrote to you was to warn you that there would
be an interruption in reports from Makeni because I
had to go for medical examinations and treatment in South Africa.
Now I have to tell you that the outcome of these has been rather negative.
I am undergoing treatment to slow down the spread of cancer. This has
necessitated a much longer stay in S.
Africa than anticipated.
Hereafter, I shall have to return to S. Africa
every three months for further checks and treatment. It is clear that I will
not be able to spend so much time in Zambia anymore, unless the Lord heals me. Please remember me
and Wenda in your prayers -- it is a very difficult
time for us.
I will try from S. Africa to keep you informed about Makeni’s
work, although that will be difficult to do from a distance.
The following news is gathered from communications reaching me from Zambia:
Boreholes
In June 2003 two new boreholes were sunk, namely in Chisamba Settlement Village and in Mwomboshi SV. Water was
struck at 36 metres in the former and at 35 metres in the latter. The first
borehole yields 3 litres of water per second, the second one 2.5 litres per
second. We are, of course, very pleased that water was located -- that has
not always been the case previously.
The cost of these two boreholes was K29 million (about US$ 6,700). Now the
next phase is to install the windmills, construct the towers and connect the
main lines. That will cost approximately K88 million [about US$20,500],
excluding the cost of water tanks and distribution piping, which we have in
stock. Financial support for MEC's projects has
been low in 2003, so we may not be able to proceed.
Financial Situation
The financial situation is further complicated by the discovery of thefts of
money by the bookkeeper. He has admitted to a number of acts of fraud. The
case is presently before the courts.
We suspect that he may have had an accomplice in the bank and we are
proceeding with legal action against that bank. We still hope to retrieve the
stolen money.
We continue to tighten up on checking and control procedures, and have asked
the auditor to do monthly audits. Obviously, we shall have to pay him a fee
for that.
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Orphanage Play Park
The construction of a play park for the AIDS Orphanage Village children, the pre-school and lower primary school
children has been going on. The children are enjoying the play park
enormously!
Leopard’s Hill Farm
MEC has won its court case against the Ministry of Lands with regards to
funds invested in the Leopards Hill Farm. The High Court awarded the Centre
substantial damages, and the Government has paid out part of the amount
awarded. Further details are available from Mrs Christine Allen.
Support from Kerk in Actie, Holland
We were delighted when Kerk in Actie
in Holland recently decided to continue its financial support for
the Centre. Kerk in Actie,
the mission body of the Reformed Churches in Holland, has been supporting the work of MEC financially and
materially since 1971!
Thank you all for your support and interest in our work!
Please
note my new e-mail address which you should use while I am in S.Africa:
dil@telkomsa.net
With sincere regards,
Yours in Christ,
Fr Pierre J Dil / Founder Makeni
Ecumenical Centre
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