Makeni Ecumenical Centre

We are pleased to be catching up on our reporting – here is the MEC 2012 Annual Report,  with news of a challenging year for the centre, including the sad passing of our former headmaster, Mr Halubobya.

In agriculture, we note a continuing decrease in enrolment, although agricultural training remains a keystone in the work of the centre and the department continues to raise broiler chickens, layers and pigs.

Loan recovery in settlement villages remains difficult: although some individuals take this responsibility seriously, too many villagers do not recognise the damage they do by failing to repay. We also have a squatter problem, particularly in Chisamba. On the bright side, two boreholes were sunk in Chisamba with the help of Kloosterkerk Worldwide and the goat pass on project saw its first pass-on beneficiaries. Progress was also made on a teacher’s house at Mwomboshi and the community school had some rennovations with the help of friends of Makeni from the Netherlands, Huib van Zessen and Arie Noortenboom, who also helped settlers repair boreholes in Kalwelwe. African Aids Angels (Canada) support went out for the fifth year to families in the settlement villages.

The carpentry department is struggling to recruit new adult students, however the department now also offers classes to our secondary school pupils. Some bunk beds, panelled doors and headboards were produced and the department continues to contribute to maintenance. The department received several second-hand hand and electrical tools from the Dutch charity Gered Geeredschap, a most welcome contribution.

The computer department was upgraded thanks to the hard work of Paul Jongeling, Vera Ootes and others. Twenty computers running Edubuntu together with auxiliary hardware were installed, replacing the old facilities. The official opening of the new facility was in January 2012. This should be a great boost to the ability of the centre to offer up to date computer training in its short courses, as well as in ensuring that our own students are able to prepare themselves for modern workplaces, where many will be required to use computers. There remains a lot for our own staff to learn about the use of these facilities and the educational software available.

Enrolment in electronics was also disappointing and the future of the department needs to be reconsidered in the light of this. Seven second year students sat for TEVETA Examinations with 4 passing.

Home economics training remains popular with Zambian ladies and the occasional brave gentleman. The cafeteria has been performing well and it is felt that the department needs to recruit another staff member. Twelve students sat TEVETA trade test examinations and passed.

The library continues to grow its stock of books thanks to continuing donations from our many friends, with science books being heavily used, followed closely by fiction.

The school enrolment, covering grades 1-12, was slightly up at 293. The school continues to reach out to the local community by engaging with inter-school competitions as well as tours of local businesses. We always also appreciate external visits and in 2012 the school was addressed by a representative of the drug enforcement commission. Mrs Mulimba Mponda, the Grade 7 teacher, was particularly commended for

Primary school students thinking about careers

achieving a pass rate of 100%. Grade 12 students are finding their maths studies challenging, so we plan to place more emphasis on maths tutoring in future.

The health and community support work of the centre remains an important feature. However, in 2012 the family planning static clinic was closed as the government clinic is able to cover this need. HIV/AIDS and family planning work continues at a good scale via mobile services, together with home-based care and support for orphans and vulnerable children, which benefits from the Non Governmental Organizations Coordinating Council basket fund.

In St Nicholas Children’s Village the children continue to grow up and move on. We are particularly pleased that Wisdom Kabwe and James Chininga were top students in their grade 12 class.

Once again we need to thank all our many donors, visitors, supporters and volunteers for all their efforts. Without your support we would be lost. Many more are mentioned by name in the attached report.