This Village of Hope (VOH) project is in the rural community of Chongwe, Zambia which is approx. 40 kilometers east of the large Metropolitan city of Lusaka ,Zambia. The 10 acre site will have the necessary infrastructure completed so that 15 to 16 houses can be built providing lodging for approx. 100 Zambian children. We hope to build 2 schools which will not only be used to educate the VOH children , but will be opened to the entire community of approx. 500 potential students. Health clinics, play grounds with equipment, and soccer fields will be among the high priority items required and built as needed. After all is completed we are only interested in bringing hope to many orphaned children who had no hope because of the Aids Virus. Perhaps as these children grow up, they will experience their good fortune and through the education they were able to receive they will give back to others who are victimized by aids.
Our Project Update Updated: October 4, 2011
Sept 6, 2011 a group of 6 left for the continent of Africa. We were followed by a group of 15 two days later, all of us wanting to have an experience that only Africa can give just as hearing Tiny Bubbles sang by Don Ho reflects Hawaii. After watching 2 or 3 movies to pass the time on the plane, then perhaps a walk to insure that the blood was circulating in the legs properly, even though the aisles are filled with people who are just as restless as you are, all are waiting to hear the drone of the engines change and the captain say " prepare to land". After hearing those words, the frantic scurrying in the cabin commences as people begin to prepare to land. Finally, the stewardess says the words we have been longing to hear for 31 hrs "Welcome To Lusaka, Zambia". Greeted by an early morning sunrise, and the haze that morning, not only told us we were in Africa, but at some time that day our jet lagged bodies would have to pay homage to the sun. Clearing customs went quite well with the exception of one box of humanitarian supplies that had to be opened so authorities could inspect. We were given the O.K. As we pushed our carts of luggage, and humanitarian bags past the crowds we were anxious to see Sergio and hoped he had a vehicle large enough to handle the supplies we had brought for the people at the Village of Hope, Chongwe.
As you view the pictures, hopefully you will see the change we experienced as our emotions got the better of our tired bodies when we visited the site later that day. The pictures were taken by many of the 21 people who had cameras. There were 4 homes fully completed, with families dwelling in them, 4 houses well under way, and 3 more houses had footings poured, 2 school blocks and 1 pre school building complete, along with the guard house/administration building complete, and a feeding station complete. I hope you enjoy the pictures, and in case you are wondering about the white tent, well that was where we held the ceremonies for the Grand Opening celebrations. Enjoy!
RCFOH Board Members
Religions: Christian: 50% - 75% Muslim and Hindu: 24% - 29% Indigenous Beliefs: 1%
