South Africa Province

Zambia

Project currently in need of support - Baby Milk Program

From 2008 – 2011, MWIA has been funding a baby milk program in Lukulu in order to fight malnutrition. Loreto Sisters in Lukulu are providing assistance to the Lukulu district hospital and four rural health centres so that this local program can continue.

Up to 140 babies per year have received a milk supplement because their mothers cannot breastfeed, are HIV positive or have passed away. Families attend nutritional or hygiene classes which are presented by local nurses and can request specific topics for future classes.

Now, with the support of Loreto Normanhurst and Loreto Mandeville Hall Toorak, MWIA is able to increase the amount of support provided and allow this crucial program to continue in 2011.

We are now seeking to continue this funding into 2012 and 2013. Sr Pat Hanvey who coordinates this project in Zambia said,

“Experience has shown that many of these babies would die if they did not receive the milk supplement, something which the vulnerable members of the Lukulu community cannot afford.”

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Providing teacher training

With the assistance of a generous Melbourne family, MWIA is providing funds to train people from Lukulu District in Zambia to be primary teachers in order to return to teach in government schools and community schools.

The only provider of teacher education in the Western Province of Zambia is Mongu Teacher Training College situated about 400km from Lukulu.  The costs associated with tuition, travel, accomodation and educational materials have prevented many talented local Lukulu volunteer teachers from gaining their teaching qualification.

Sr Elizabeth Donnan works closely with Lukulu community representatives to select the scholarship recipients and to ensure that, once trained, these individuals return to their community to improve the quality of education provided to primary school students in this under-resourced part of one of the poorest countries in the world.

Enabling student participation

In Lukula, Zambia, MWIA is funding activity materials, resources and refreshments for UN Children’s Day and the promotion of IRI (Interactive Radio Instruction). As well as enabling village children to participate and enjoy UN Children’s Day; this grant raised the profile of IRI in the village and has encouraged greater support from village elders and parents.

Equipping science laboratories

At the request of Sr Elizabeth Donnan ibvm, MWIA purchased non-consumable science equipment for two secondary school laboratories in Lukulu that were not being used due to lack of equipment. Students were unable to engage in any science practical work. Now teachers are being provided with resources to conduct meaningful science practical classes. The facilities are also being used to train science teachers – particularly in finding practical and creative ways of teaching science using the limited resources available. 

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