Dear Friends of Makeni,
Upon receiving newsletter No.26, one of the Friends of Makeni complained that it was not very positive. True! He hoped for better news next time, so here is another, more positive, news update on developments at Makeni Ecumenical Centre in Lusaka, Zambia.
1. We have not yet been able to replace the Family Planning vehicle that went up in flames recently. However, we have lodged an application with a Japanese agency for the donation of a secondhand vehicle. This is likely to be approved; the costs involved for sea freight to Durban, documentation etc. will be US$2000. Clearance charges and transport of the vehicle to Lusaka will be another US$1000. Although we do not have these funds in hand we are going ahead with this purchase in faith. We just can not allow our Family Planning project to close down. However, while this project is running at only 20% capacity and its fate is so uncertain, two staff are to leave (at their own request) and a third is to be put on part-time.
2. For some years the people living in our MWOMBOSHI SETTLEMENT VILLAGE have been pleading with Makeni Centre to build them a clinic, a family planning clinic, a pre-school and a primary school. The obvious way to do this was to complete and convert the old farm house. Some time ago this major building exercise was costed -- it was calculated that it would cost US$32,000, a great deal of money. Some months ago, through the intervention of United Church of Zambia Headquarters, the Council for World Mission in England came through with a grant for these works! We and the people of Mwomboshi were delighted. Works began as soon as the rains were over. They are now nearly completed and the community there will have the use of two clinic rooms, seven classrooms, a headmaster's office, a storage room, and a large community hall for worship, meetings and adult education activities. Praise the Lord for that great development! We thank the donors most sincerely.
3. The ORPHANAGE PROJECT has seen the completion of Phases I & II, that is the purchase of the buildings, the repairs and redecorations of same and the building of a large communal room. We are now busy having the furniture made and equipment bought. Donations towards this have come from the Kloosterkerk in The Hague, Holland (f. 7500) through an unusually successful Lenten Action, and £250 from the Dorothy Bayles Trust procured by Captain and Mrs Pascoe in England. The Trust also donated £250 towards the Family Planning Project. Both these projects are also to benefit from a f.2000 gift from Mr and Mrs Kees Zorn in Holland, who asked guests to their 25th wedding anniversary to donate funds to Makeni projects instead of "wasting" it on presents!!
4. The Dutch Reformed Church in Barendrecht, Holland, held a Fete (Bazaar) for Makeni Ecumenical Centre and raised a large sum of money some of which will hopefully come to us through the Centrum voor Zending & wereld Diakonaat of the Reformed Churches in Holland. We thank the good folk of Barendrecht for their enthusiasm for Makeni and praise God for their goodwill!
5. The undersigned is intending to retire as Chairman of MEC in July, having served for 30 years. Revd Fr Andrew Mukuyamba will take over from him.
Makeni continues to be the recipients of so much goodwill -- how lucky we are to have so many good friends! God continues to work miracles through the generosity of His children abroad. Thank you all so much!
More news soon. With best regards to you all,
Yours in Christ,
Fr Pierre J Dil