The Story of Chibuli Community
In 2006, a Christian woman called Petronella saw the desperate needs in her community. A lack of health clinics and access to clean water, disease and food shortages are just some of the many challenges that the people living in Chibuli face. There is a government school in the area, but many families struggle to pay the tuition fees, forcing the children to stay home and offering little hope for a different future. Petronella was motivated to begin a small community school for the most vulnerable children who would otherwise have no way of receiving an education. Additionally, she started visiting children in their homes, mentoring them and helping their families with daily household chores.
150 Children currently supported
16 Care Workers Coordinated by Dorothy and Chimuka
Basic Services Started in 2010
45 KM from the Luanshya Local Office
Four years later, Hands at Work partnered with Petronella to establish the Chibuli Community Based Organisation (CBO). The community school became the Life Centre, a place where children receive a hot and nutritious meal as well as be holistically cared for by loving volunteer Care Workers. Hands at Work mobilised Care Workers from five churches in the area who donated maize to support the Chibuli CBO. Currently, 16 committed Care Workers visit children in their homes, bringing physical, emotional and spiritual support. Some of these Care Workers will walk 14 kilometres to visit the children.
Much progress has been made regarding education in Chibuli. A new headteacher has been appointed in the community school, Mr Mali, who is also a local pastor. He continues to deepen his relationship with the Chibuli CBO and has helped the community teachers access resources through the government.
The team of Care Workers have a dream to continue expanding their work, inviting more people to come together to care for the poorest of the poor. Care Workers are finding spiritual healing through Christ as a result of meeting for Relationship Groups. This spiritual healing is unifying the Care Workers and creating a safe refuge for the children they serve who face huge challenges like physical and mental abuse, the negative impacts of alcohol abuse, and witchcraft. The love and light of God are being embodied by the Care Workers during Holy Home visits, and children’s lives are being transformed.
The Care Workers and the Primary Caregivers were actively involved in preparing the land for the new Life Centre building, which was officially constructed and opened in August 2021. Additionally, a new toilet was dug in November 2020 and has now been completed with a concrete roof, helping to keep the children safe and secure.
Meet Kitana
Thirteen year-old Kitana* lives in Chibuli with her grandmother and her sister. She has been cared for by her grandmother since her mother passed away in 2015. Although her father lives in the same community, he is not involved in caring for his daughters. Kitana struggles with her health and was particularly ill when she came to live with her grandmother. Sadly, her grandmother is also weak, frail, and aging, and has struggled to provide the care that they need. When Care Workers met the family, they could clearly see their vulnerability and Kitana’s poor health. Quickly they were invited to the Life Centre, where they would be holistically cared for. Coming to the Life Centre, Kitana is able to play sports and netball with her friends and now dreams of being a teacher so she can help others.
The local Hands at Work team in Luanshya currently supports eight Community Based Organisations, which exist to care for the most vulnerable in their communities. The office provides training, networking, and encouragement to those Community Based Organisations like Chibuli. It also gives administrative support, including helping with funding proposals, monitoring and evaluation, bookkeeping and reporting to donors.
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