July 2024 Newsletter

Chimwemwe Home

There have been 3 recent additions to the Chimwemwe Home family:

Everisto is a single orphan aged 6. His father passed away in a road traffic accident just before he was born. His mother is only 19 years old now. She lives with her mother who has a number of health issues, and they survive by collecting empty plastic bottles and selling them for recycling. They live in a very small house which is on the verge of collapsing and often go a whole day without food. When the mother was in school she managed to get good results in her grade 9 exams, and someone has now offered to assist her to go back to complete her education up to grade 12.

However, it would not be possible for her to do this, fend for the family, help her sick mother and look after Everisto. So it was agreed that Everisto could join the Chimwemwe Home, at least until his mother has finished school and can provide better for him. Everisto has settled in very well, and is best buddies with Estina the younger daughter of the house parents. He has started school in the same reception class as her. The photo above shows the pair of them in their school uniforms.

James (7) and Jane (5) are a brother and sister who have even more recently joined the home. They are also single orphans.

Their father died in a warehouse fire. When he died, he and his wife were looking after their own biological children plus 3 children of his late brothers. Their mother was already struggling with cervical cancer at that point. This has now advanced, and she is unlikely to survive. She is being looked after by her mother, who was also looking after the 7 children and another 2 grandchildren in a small 2-roomed house. Most of the time they are only able to eat once a day. It was decided that taking in 2 of younger children would be really beneficial to the family as a whole.

Sometimes when the AETZ staff have been asked to consider a new child for the Home they have been able to help impoverished guardians currently looking after the child to connect with members of their extended family who are willing and able to help support the child so that they can continue to stay with the guardian. The case of Naomi is more unusual. She came into the Home about a year ago. Recently a relative who has been living in the USA found herself in improved circumstances and was able to make a visit back to Zambia. During the trip she heard about Naomi and asked to meet her. Subsequently she offered to provide on-going support for both Naomi and her grandmother, and so Naomi has now been able to return to living with her grandmother, the lady who had brought up since she was a baby.

Five children are doing national exams this year – George, Nkisu and Mwenda are all grade 9; and Godwin (away at boarding school) and Gideon are both doing grade 12. George (above, left) has had the privilege of being appointed as head boy of his school this year, for which he is to be commended.

Harrison (above, centre) has just left the Home. He is now aged 19, and unfortunately didn’t pass his grade 9 exams at the end of last year. It was felt that he was better suited to pursuing practical skills rather than returning to school and trying to resit these exams. Before he left, AETZ funded a driving course for him as he was keen to learn to drive and use that as a possible means of gaining employment. He is also keen to pursue opportunities to play in one of the Lusaka football teams, such the National Assembly one which provides some sort of employment to those it wants to play in its team. He is currently staying with a great uncle.

Steven (above, right) who graduated from the Home about a year ago, having just finished a fork lift truck driving course, now has a job as a fork lift truck driver.

Computer School

The following testimonial (quoted in full) has been received from one of the recent computer school students:

Hi, my name is Jane.

Enterprise Trust College has truly transformed my life. Their innovative approach to learning and development has equipped me with invaluable skills and the confidence I need to excel.

Thanks to their dedicated faculty and staff, I've not only seen a remarkable improvement in my academic performance but also a significant impact on my career path.

The courses at Enterprise Trust School have been instrumental in helping me secure a job at a local mall, where I specialize in computer operations. Their hands-on training and personalized support have given me the practical knowledge and emotional resilience to thrive in my role. I am deeply grateful for their partnership and look forward to continuing our journey together, driving academic and professional success forward.

Thank you, Enterprise Trust College, for believing in me and empowering me to achieve my dreams.

With gratitude,

Jane Phiri 🙏

Thank you for reading!