By Dave Cullen, M.Afr
The Association of Religious Men of Zambia (ARMZ) here in Chipata decided that on the occasion of a meeting of members to elect a new executive it would be fitting at the same time to hold a day’s workshop on ‘Slavery in our midst’. It was our way of linking up with the 125th anniversary of Cardinal Lavigerie’s tour of Europe to campaign for the end of slavery as also to commemorate the birth of Livingstone 200 years ago.
there were 12 members of ARMZ present at the workshop, 4 of them Missionaries of Africa. Others who accepted our invitation to attend were 2 representatives from five Sister’s Congregations, 2 Dutch volunteers very much concerned with helping prostitutes in Chipata plus representatives from the local clergy, Caritas and Radio Maria. There were four very good presentations, on prostitution, street kids, child labour in rural areas and exploitation of the vulnerable through cheap labour. After each presentation there was group sharing on just one question: what can we do to overcome these forms of slavery in our midst? Hopefully we will take up the challenges presented and work through such bodies as ZAS, Caritas, NGO’s as well as those groups and individuals who show particular concern in these areas, amongst them presenters of these problems to us who were clearly concerned and actively committed to find solutions.
We shall hold another meeting next year at which we shall ask: what did you actually do about those resolutions you took at last year’s workshop? Hopefully there will be some positive progress recorded. If there is we shall share the good news with you.
Category: Zambia Sector Page 6 of 10
News and events of Zambia Sector of SAP
By Dave Cullen, M.Afr
The Association of Religious Men of Zambia (ARMZ) here in Chipata decided that on the occasion of a meeting of members to elect a new executive it would be fitting at the same time to hold a day’s workshop on ‘Slavery in our midst’. It was our way of linking up with the 125th anniversary of Cardinal Lavigerie’s tour of Europe to campaign for the end of slavery as also to commemorate the birth of Livingstone 200 years ago.
there were 12 members of ARMZ present at the workshop, 4 of them Missionaries of Africa. Others who accepted our invitation to attend were 2 representatives from five Sister’s Congregations, 2 Dutch volunteers very much concerned with helping prostitutes in Chipata plus representatives from the local clergy, Caritas and Radio Maria. There were four very good presentations, on prostitution, street kids, child labour in rural areas and exploitation of the vulnerable through cheap labour. After each presentation there was group sharing on just one question: what can we do to overcome these forms of slavery in our midst? Hopefully we will take up the challenges presented and work through such bodies as ZAS, Caritas, NGO’s as well as those groups and individuals who show particular concern in these areas, amongst them presenters of these problems to us who were clearly concerned and actively committed to find solutions.
We shall hold another meeting next year at which we shall ask: what did you actually do about those resolutions you took at last year’s workshop? Hopefully there will be some positive progress recorded. If there is we shall share the good news with you.
Our confrere Bernard Chowa has returned to Tanzania today after a delay of one day due to the cancellation of his flight on Precision Air. The funeral of his brother Steven Chowa took place on Thursday the 9th May at The Good Shepherd Parish in Kabwata, Lusaka. Together with his wife, the decease is leaving behind four girls and one boy. Steven Chowa was a hardworking man entirely dedicated to his family. He is the one who took care of Bernard by allowing him to pursue his education and become a missionary priest. Bernard is very grateful to the Missionaries of Africa for the support he received from them.
Let us pray for his ministry in Tanzania and for the entire family still crying for the loss of such a committed man.
See also:
Death of the brother of Father Bernard Chowa, missionary in Tanzania
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- Fr. Marc Nsanzurwimo, Fr. Tonn van Kessel, Fr. Bernard Chowa, Fr. Adelarde Munishi, Fr. Bernard Udelhoven, Fr. Romaric Bationo
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- Fr. Bernard Chowa, Fr. Adelarde Munishi, Fr. Francis Kangwa, Fr. Bernard Udelhoven
“Here is a selection of useful quotations about various aspects of Religious Education, both for those studying for a certificate, diploma or degree and for those already in the classroom. This is not a course, but a handful of hints.
This book is a timely addition to the Religious Education materials available in Zambia. It allows us to draw on the wisdom of others.”
Contents: spirituality, religion (including African Traditional Religion, inculturation – contextualisation, pluralism), education (including commitment and faith) religious education (including maturity and concepts), attitudes and skills of students, special skills (including critical thinking, symbolism and Ecumenical empathy), teaching strategies ( including attitude for creativity and motivation), morality (including teacher’s role), assessment (including knowledge as understanding), cross fertilization (history, geography, science, literature, sport and arts).
“The essence of African morality is that it is more societary than spiritual; it is a morality of conduct rather than a morality of being. It defines what a person does rather than what he is. Kindness is not a virtue unless someone is kind; murder is not evil until someone kills another person in his community. Man is not by nature either good or evil except in terms of what he does or does not do. (J.S. Mbiti in “African Religions & Philosophy” Heinemann 1969:213)
Readings for Religious Education Teachers
Compiled by J. Henze, Published by the Copperbelt Religious Education Development Unit, Mission Press, Ndola, Zambia, 2000, 106 pages.
This book in on sales at Woodlands, Lusaka.
“The essence of African morality is that it is more societary than spiritual; it is a morality of conduct rather than a morality of being. It defines what a person does rather than what he is. Kindness is not a virtue unless someone is kind; murder is not evil until someone kills another person in his community. Man is not by nature either good or evil except in terms of what he does or does not do. (J.S. Mbiti in “African Religions & Philosophy” Heinemann 1969:213)
Readings for Religious Education Teachers
Compiled by J. Henze, Published by the Copperbelt Religious Education Development Unit, Mission Press, Ndola, Zambia, 2000, 106 pages.
This book in on sales at Woodlands, Lusaka.
Outspoken Catholic Priest Fr. Frank Bwalya who has been recently urged to stop criticizing the PF government in the media, has announced this morning that he’s serious about funding a new political party with him as its President. The name of the party should be revealed in the next few days. READ MORE
Stamattina mentre ascoltavo una trasmissione su una delle stazioni locali, Radio Phoenix, ho sentito padre Frank Bwalya annunciare pubblicamente che, oltre alla sua campagna di “cartellini gialli” al presente governo per misfatti di vario tipo, intende fondare un nuovo partito politico di cui sarà il presidente.
Frank Bwalya, il cui status clericale non è molto chiaro al sottoscritto, è senz’altro un personaggio carismatico e controverso. Dopo aver appoggiato apertamente il governo in carica contro quello uscente di Rupiah Banda, accusato di ogni forma di corruzione sotto il cielo, da qualche tempo critica apertamente alcune decisioni dell’esecutivo e ne castiga alcune derive.
Una storia da seguire con interesse e attenzione.
READ ALSO:
The Sata we supported died long time ago, but Kambwili says Fr. Bwalya is getting mad
Fr Bwalya, Kambwili in bitter exchange
Bwalya no longer priest – Fr Mpasa
Dear all,
Kindly receive a timely Press Statement issued by Caritas Zambia on the continued, wasteful and unwarranted by-elections being caused by MPs who are behaving like political prostitutes.
Fraternally Yours in Christ,
Fr. Cleophas
… As we have already done on many occasions, we appeal to government to stop encouraging MP resignations through promises of jobs and other privileges. Where is the lean government the people of Zambia were promised if ministerial jobs are open for purchasing political patronage? It is shameful to see very high ranking government officials dancing and jubilating at MP resignation forums with full knowledge of the harm by-elections are causing on the weakest of our society. This is immoral and an act of inconsistency for a government that has proclaimed an option for the poor as a cornerstone of its governance values. The Zambian society must treat this behaviour with scorn and strong condemnation. READ MORE
Eugénie Lacoursière Mgr François-Xavier Lacoursière
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- Cover of the La Missive
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- Sister Eugénie Lacoursière in Uganda
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- From the archives of the MSOLA
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- First local Sisters, MSOLA, Bannabikiri, Fr Mischler, Mgr Lacoursière and Fr. Léopold Bélanger
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- The New Convent in 1942
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- The last days of Mgr. Lacoursières
We have little information so far about the death of the brother of our confrere Bernard Chowa except that the burial is proposed for tomorrow the 7th May in Zingalume, west of Lusaka, depending of Bernard’s travel.
Let us pray for the decease, for our confrere and his entire family.
Monika Grzelak came to Zambia on the 9th March after six months working as a volunteer in Kenya. Let us discover her journey of life.
What is your background?
I am a 25 year old Polish woman. I got my diploma in Social Studies at the University of Nicolas Copernicus in Toruń. I also got a Master degree in Education in Warsaw. My parents are still at home with my younger brother. I quit my job last year and left everything behind to fulfil my dream to come to Africa. I have no fear. My basic trust brings me the necessary freedom I need to be where I am today. I love it.
How did you made your way up to Zambia?
After half a year in Kenya, I wanted to know more about Africa. This continent has always fascinating me. So, I went to Dar es Salaam and bought a ticket just two hours before the departure of the train. Forty-eight hours later, I stopped at Kapiri Mposhi where I met a Polish Sister from the Congregation of the Holy Family. Two days later, I took a bus to Lusaka without knowing anyone. I didn’t have any idea what to expect. Simply, I was hoping to find a place where I could do some voluntary work. I was directed to Good Shepherd Parish at Kabwata and met Father Vitalis Dero. He phoned to Jacek Rakowski who came within fifteen minutes. I was so enthusiastic about his description of Home of Hope that my decision to become a volunteer was taken on the spot.
Is it not surprising for a young woman like you to travel alone in various African countries as you did? Do you really need to travel so far to do voluntary work?
As a matter of fact, I have always been a volunteer, even in Poland. It is part of my life. I like to discover new places, new cultures and new people. What really matter for me, besides helping people, is simply to be with them. My few weeks at Home of Hope have been great. My only regret is my lack of knowledge of the Chi Nyanja language. Time was too short.
Have you shared your experience with other people?
Yes indeed! Just few days ago, I met a Zambian woman working in town. She found it bizarre that a stranger like me came from so far to do voluntary work in Zambia. I felt that she might become herself a volunteer soon.
You will be leaving Zambia in a week from now. Which prospects do you have once back to Poland?
I will be going back to Dar es Salaam by train. Then, I go back to Kenya once more to work for two weeks in a small home for disable boys. Finally, I should be back to my country by the end of June. Once there, I will look around to find a job. I will add my experience in Africa on my C.V. adding that it has been the best time of my life, so far. I am pretty sure to come back again. I feel as if I could go anywhere.
What is your most important discovery in Africa?
You know! The mentality of the Polish people is not always easy to understand. They have the tendency of complaining about anything, even when things go well. Very often, my friends feel worry about me when I am telling them that everything is fine. Life in Africa is by far harder than in Europe but people are smiling. There is a taste of joy here which attracts me.
For more information about Monika, see her webpage on http://www.spelniaczemarzen.pl/
FENZA attracted over 50 people to its regular conference on the 24th April 2013 dedicated this time to child abuse and trauma management. The Director, Father Gotthard Rosner, was very pleased to introduce the Bemba group Fimbusa founded in 2008 and aiming at preserving traditional cultural values. This group is composed of six men and 17 women from various cultural backgrounds but using primarily Bemba symbols in their teaching. They operate as a research group within FENZA.
Jacek Rakowski, from the Home of Hope, was also invited to present facts about the reality of child abuse. According to his research, 85% of cases of abuse are related to neglect, so called emotional abuse. It is particularly the case in dysfunctional families or related to social poverty. For many children, life is nothing else than a hostile environment. Consequently, traumatic experiences remain as lifelong scars. Physical abuse, including sexual ones, from which discipline beatings are not easy to distinguish, ends up with injuries.
Sexual abuse takes place most of the time within the family set up where the “conspiracy of silence” and the denial of abuse reinforce the traumatic burden of the victim. Very often, abusers have been abused themselves and also need help.
Finally, to conclude the presentations, Patrick Mumbi, psychologist and anthropologist, gave a magisterial presentation of the negative effects imparted upon victims of child abuse. As counsellors or helpers, we are all invited to listen to the various personalities which are hidden within a traumatised person. By all means, an abuse should never be hidden. It must be said, preferably denounced. The wrongdoer is the abuser, not the child.
We are looking forward to attend the next FENZA Conference.
