The Story of Nissi Community
The community of Nissi sits on the edge of the town of Kapiri Mposhi and is a place that many people pass through daily. This transient community faces high levels of prostitution when desperate families have no other choice of employment to find food. Much of the land in Nissi has been sold, leaving local people with very little land from which to produce their own crops. In turn, because food must travel a far distance from other communities, prices in the markets are steadily increasing and becoming out of reach for the most vulnerable families.
50 Children currently supported
21 Care Workers Coordinated by Mary SIAME
Basic Services Started in 2010
56 KM from the Kabwe Local Office
Ever since community schools were transformed into government schools, many children now face an uncertain future with no education because the cost of school fees is unattainable. With a lack of employment and a serious shortage of food, early marriages and teenage pregnancies are common. Men often flee Nissi in search of work in the city, leaving boys without positive male role models. Without positive role models, young boys resort to stealing in order to purchase alcohol and drugs. Compounding all of these challenges is the lack of medication in Nissi, despite the many clinics that exist.
Thankfully, there is a group of dedicated volunteer Care Workers who want to bring the hope of Christ to the people living in Nissi. United as Care Workers, they formed the Nissi Community Based Organisation (CBO), desiring to provide life-giving services as well and parental love and care to the most vulnerable children. In 2010, the Nissi CBO, partnering with Hands at Work, began serving 20 children, ensuring that they received a hot, nutritious meal daily - a number that has since increased to 100 children.
Within Nissi there are three Care Points operating under the umbrella of the Nissi CBO – two of which were only started in the last few years. The purpose of having multiple Care Points is to limit the distance that the children have to travel to them from their homes.
In August 2020, a new secure toilet was built at the main Care Point location alongside a new cooking structure. The Nissi CBO was grateful to have been given this space by a local Bishop who understands the vision and need to serve the children within the community. Though there are many more vulnerable children in this area, the Care Workers are determined to continue their work in serving these children and uniting them together.
Meet Chisomo
Chisomo’s* life is characterised by instability and struggle. His father died in 2019 after a debilitating illness, leaving his mother Roberta* to care for her five children alone. Roberta tries to provide for her children by selling vegetables and washing clothes. The family lives in an unfinished house, in which they are allowed to stay rent-free in exchange for watching over it for the owner who lives elsewhere. However, they could be asked to leave at any time. Unfortunately, Chisomo failed grade 7, has since quit school, and now helps his mother sell vegetables. Amid his struggles, the Care Workers and the Care Point provide stability and support. Daily, he connects with people who love him and show him the love of Christ. He receives a nutritious meal each day, and he can be free to be a child as he enjoys playing soccer with his friends.
The local Hands at Work team in Kabwe currently supports six 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 Nissi. It also gives administrative support, including helping with funding proposals, monitoring and evaluation, bookkeeping and reporting to donors.
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