SPONSORS

HMP has received (and continues to receive) strong support from members of the Bristol Christian Fellowship in the UK. Thus, the 'infra-structure' that pre-dates the recently built Orphan dormitory (i.e. the hammer-mill, the canteen, the community school, the old vehicles, etc) are the result of the generosity of the Bristol Christian Fellowship (BCF).

Some members of the BCF worked in Zambia in the early 90's and, inspired by the eventual sustainability vision of its founder, have supported HMP activities for several years.

The Orphan Project utilizes many of the resources of HMP (e.g. the mono-pump for water, the hammer mill to grind maize meal or 'nshima' for meals, vehicles to purchase provisions and to transport sick children to hospital in Serenje, etc) but the building of the dormitory plus the care and feeding of the children are the result of financial support from the founder's contacts in Australia and elsewhere (at present, UK and South Africa) who we will now address as 'Sponsors and Friends of the Orphans'.

At the start of March 2004, we had 13 regular individuals/families who have contributed regularly each month to the Project. Their average donation is US$20 per month. In addition to these 12, individuals from time to time make generous 'once-off' donations.

In late 2003 the Park Orchards Lions Club assisted us with completion of the dormitory washrooms/toilets as well as a rainwater catchment system for collecting rainwater for drinking purposes (there is no piped water to Chibobo and we have to use unpleasant tasting iron-rich water from the local borehole ('monopump', as it is called here).

In March 2004, Australian Overseas Aid kindly agreed to provide US$35,000 towards the orphanage set-up. This will allow us to enlarge the present building to cater for about 60 children by late 2004. Work commenced in April 204 and is on going.

An AVI colleague, who was also here in Serenje, Zambia in 2002, has written a book about life in Zambia, and has pledged the royalties to the project, plus the proceeds from his recent book and video launch.

Overnewton College in Australia has also contributed, not only with funding and supplies, but also with volunteer work. 17 students and staff from the college were in Chibobo in June 2004 to aid in playground construction, library management and mural painting. Overnewton has been and continues to be a tremdous source of support.

Aquinas College in Ringwood, Melbourne contributed in no small way with funding for the initial orphanage project in 2003. Xavier College in Kew, Melbourne has also very generously contributed.

We thank all of the above supporters without whom this project would not be feasible, let alone thriving so wonderfully!

Based on our current monthly budgets, the total of US$390 per month from our 13 sponsors is sufficient to feed the 32 children, pay small salaries to the 6 Carers, and to the 2 community school teachers, and pay our telephone email account.

There is absolutely no profit being made by the project - nor do we ride about in the 4-wheel drive vehicles of the larger and very well-known Aid Agencies! HMP has 2 very old Toyota utility vehicles (which are nearing the end of their working life), an Isuzu 1994 pick-up and Mr Gilbert has a bicycle!

We welcome and encourage further overseas donations, so that many more vulnerable children in the Chibobo area may find some ray of light in a dark world of poverty and disease. We continue to pray that our efforts may inspire other similar projects throughout rural Africa, and that these eventually become self-sustainable.

If you would like to help us in a material way, please go to the section on 'How to Help'. Otherwise, your sincere prayers will assist us.

HELP MINISTRIES PROJECT crjuska@helpministriesproject.org