Latest News, Trip Reports etc | One Child at a Time

An extract from a letter written by one of the “Swansea Team” visiting the Harold Mwenga Memorial Academy in 2011

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:48:18 +0000

“The school has begun with nursery, reception and grades 1 and 2. In the main the school has the intention of growing gradually. We visited in April and it was wonderful to spend time supporting the staff and children with songs, storytelling, crafts and play. It was hard to leave after being so involved. Our visit wasn't very well timed as the children had just broken up for the Easter holiday but they were quite happy to come back into school for an extra week to accommodate us, the visitors!

The modest fees the children pay cover about 50% of the total costs at the moment so we've agreed to subsidise them for the next 3 years as they find their feet and work towards becoming self-supporting and financially sustainable. What we'd like to do is to get to a stage when we provide the extras and don't need to be relied on for the basics.”

Significant Donation from Medical Research Company

Sun, 31 Jan 2010 11:21:09 +0000

‘Cells4Life, the UK’s leading private stem cell bank, has announced a four figure donation for Mutende Children’s Village. The company stores cord blood stem cells for new born babies – like an insurance policy for their future health. “I am so pleased that we are able to help this very worthy charity in its endeavours to care for these wonderful kids” said Chairman Wayne Channon.’

Fund Raising Walk by Children from Brentry Primary School

Sun, 17 May 2009 15:08:22 +0100

On Tuesday 31^st March 30 children, two staff and four mums walked from Brentry Primary School to Blaise Castle proudly displaying the Mutende t-shirts supplied by *******.

Leaving at 9.30 am the group arrived at Blaise about 10.30 and after a short break took up the Blaise Castle Challenge which followed a circular route round the grounds starting and finishing near the playground.

Passers by were very interested in what the walk was for and the children wholeheartedly told them all about Mutende resulting in an extra £6.00 on top of the sponsorship money.

Photos

The children remained excited about what they were doing all day and continued chatting on returning to school.

The organisers are grateful to Dennis Bennett and Paul Uttley for coming to speak to the children and sorting out sponsor forms and t-shirts.

Tribute to Juliet Chetani

Sun, 21 Dec 2008 14:06:29 +0000

It is with great sadness that we tell you that Juliet, Bishop Greg Chitani's wife, died in Zambia on December 11th 2008 having rapidly declined after a short illness.

Those who met her will know the depth of personal tragedy this represents for Greg and his devastated children. Juliet was a rare person, a mixture of great gentleness in spirit, words, actions and humour, but also with a fierce determination. She has shown hospitality to many in their home, provided accommodation for the homeless, organised workshops for widows, demonstrated selflessness and the love of Christ in a real and practical way.

She was largely responsible for the vision behind establishing Mutende and will be a real loss to them as well.

Please now be creative in your prayers and thoughts in supporting Greg, his family, the church and Mutende.

November Trip

Thu, 03 Jan 2008 18:50:26 +0000

Dennis & friends

June & friends

Dennis Bennett writes

A team of seven went to Zambia on November 16th to 28th November. The team inclued Dave Day, Lyn Weaver, Dennis & June Bennett, Ben Payne, Luke Carter and Jamie a friend of Ben’s from University now working in Nottingham.

On arrival at Mutende the children gave us a great welcome and were so pleased to see us.

The grounds and units are looking good, but there is some need of maintenance both inside and out, mainly decorating and painting. We did manage to redecorate Leotina’s Lounge and make good some electric points.

Again water was a problem. A burst pipe in Lulamba had not been repaired and this is their only supply of water at the moment while the bore hole is out action. It was still leaking when we left. The main problem though is the bore hole at the Childrens Village which needs to be repaired. But while we were there Dave met with Bishop Greg and Leotina to arrange to get it repaired.

The container that went out loaded with tools, materials, toys, soap and toothbrushes etc was held up in Joannesburg and although a payment from England of £500 was required to get it released it did not arrive until two weeks after we returned, so the work we had intended to do need the materials and tools being purchased locally. This was somewhat frustrating.

Dave and Leotina spent two days trying to meet with Council officials to get permission to build a classroom on adjoining ground just outside Mutende. This has now been granted and the funding has been raised by a church in Swansea. Hopefully, building will start in the next few months.

Ben and Jamie were busy filming for a new up to date DVD. With Luke they got involved playing football and games with the children. The village football team is very good. Leotina would like the children to have shirts the same colour ....I think this was a hint for a full football kit!

Lyn and June spent time reading and playing with the children and Lyn also spent quite a lot of time repairing their clothes.

News Update

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 17:05:05 +0000

Official Opening of Beit House

UPDATE - an overview of what's been happening during the last two years

Beit Trust House has provided a home to 12 more children. Rooms were painted in bright colours by a British couple who were spending a couple of months at Mutende to help over 2005-6. A new housemother and assistant housemother were appointed who are excellent carers. The children have been in their new home since summer 2006 so are really settled in now as a family unit. Along with the other Mutende workers, they have received training from social services course providers in child development, child protection and best practice in the care of orphaned children.

Also in 2006 a child development worker was appointed to take particular responsibility for the emotional and educational development and pastoral care of each child. He has individual time with the children and involvement with the housemothers in educational and practical issues around

child development.

Local children have been enjoying playing with their friends at Mutende on Saturdays, particularly using the on site climbing frame and play equipment that is not common in Zambia. Over Easter 2007 a team from Swansea in South Wales came to run a holiday club for Mutende children and local school friends.