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Implementing the Culture of
Peace through Education
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The twenty- first century presents a hostile face to many millions of children in many African countries. An increasing number of children are being forced to the streets as result of poverty, abuse, torture, rape, abandonment or orphaned by AIDS.
Human rights violations against children in the 1990 have become a common and disturbing occurrence across the continent . Indeed denial of basic human and legal rights including the right to life, liberty , health, education and security as a person to children are now a defining feature of the African socio - economic landscape.
The International Relief Friendship Foundation (IRFF) being concerned of saving lives of thousands of people, has made its second coming into Mackenzie community in Ndola, Zambia where 35 youth from 6 countries of the world (Zambia, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Slovenia and Slovakia), among whom 3 second generation met from 7th to 18th August 2002 in Zambia with a purpose of building a second class at the orphans school of Mackenzie community in Ndola.
The project started with a two day orientation at Twikatane farm in Lusaka where participants had the opportunity to know each other and through the interaction styles, they learned the importance of working in team with one set goal by practising the sense of living for the sake of others and the importance of sacrifice . The sessions and lectures were conducted by Mr. Nicholas Chisha (director of IRFF Zambia),Mr. Arnold Kashembe (IRFF - Tanzania), Mrs. Lara Zmaher (IRFF - Slovenia) . The covered topic where character building, interaction styles, project proposal guidelines ect...During orientation Participants had an opportunity to share and interact with Mrs Milingo who came in as a special guest.
Participants departed from Lusaka to Ndola on 10thAugust. Upon arrival of participants at the Catholic Youth Centre of Ndola, participants were invited for lunch and thereafter taken to the project site for a view . On 11thAugust, the day started with an interreligious service in which participants shared the word of God in their respective religions among which: Christian (catholic, pentacost, Jehova witnesses), Muslims, Unificationists . After the interreligious service; the participants were driven to the project site in Mackenzie community .
The work was easily carried out through division of labour by the participants who were grouped in teams namely: EBENEEZER, HOPE, BIG 5, LIGHT GIVERS and CONQUERORS . Among the work done to the project site were beautifying and cleaning the suroundings, construction, digging the toilets, etc... . The school environment was changing day after day and became an attractive place for many adults and children of the community including the World Food Program Officers who were inspired to interact with participants.
The house to house visit in the community by Sister Eliska relieved hundreds of the inhabitants, the community was served in provision of HIV/AIDS Education, Hygiene, Nutrition and relief from light sufferings (pains, etc.).
IRFF is the only organization that has made a great step relieving sufferings of Mackenzie community people , the school block alone serves for multiple activities to the community . Education to the children, HIV/AIDS Education to adults, Community Committee meetings, Religious meetings etc... a situation that makes a strong cooperation between IRFF and Mackenzie community.
The departure of participants seems to be a loss to the Community which was very used to seeing the truck carrying IRFF project participants everyday to and from the project site.
There is a great need for IRFF to return in Mackenzie to relieve people from another big need - HEALTH by providing Hygiene education, Medicine, proper medical care hence saving lives of thousands of these under privileged people .
IRFF name will never be forgotten in this community because the project was a great success . God bless all the participants and the sponsors, may He inspire them to come back to Mackenzie .
Introduction
Orientation for IRFF Project started on 7th August 2002 in Lusaka, Twikatane farm. Registration was done on the same day. And on 8th August a brief background of IRFF was explained to the participants by the Director of IRFF Zambia and Tanzania . They further explained that IRFF started in America in 1976 and exists in more than 80 countries world wide and IRFF vision is Living for the sake of others . The main purpose of the project was to help the orphans in Mackenzie community in Ndola .
On 8th August, sessions started. The first was the guide lines for achieving our goals. The participants were taught on the importance of team work. Character building was another important subject taught to the participants who were advised that good character was very vital towards goals achievement.
We were divided into 5 groups consisting of 6 persons each, Group leaders and their assistants were selected , this made work easier, burdens were shared. The participants learnt the importance of division of labor in the sense that tough jobs could be done quicker.
We left Lusaka on 10th August 2002 and arrived in Ndola the same day. Upon arrival we were taken to the project site just to have look . In the evening the path of the day was drafted for the following day.
On 11th August 2002, work at the project site in Mackenzie compound started . The work carried out was: cleaning, digging, building, watering, beautifying the surroundings and planting trees .
Achievements
Having participated in IRFF Project, I have settled some essential goals in life. I was privileged to work with people from different countries, they showed a very high level of responsibility by being helpful and generous . I had also the opportunity to learn various cultures .
Thanks
I would like to thank the Director of IRFF - Zambia, Mr. Nicholas Chisha for inviting me to this project . It has really changed my life . May God bless you .
Introduction
The IRFF project this year 2002 was launched in the outskirt of Zambia notably Ndola in the Copperbelt area . The implementation of the project subjectively lied on building an orphan school in Mackenzie community . Objectively the IRFF keeps on fulfilling its tasks and obligations basically on the spheres of helping all people who are in need all over the world . Henceforth to make it successfully and well implemented, the Zambia IRFF director Mr. Nicholas Chisha sent an invitation letter to all IRFF chapters in the world .The countries that positively responded and attended the project were: Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Slovak Republic, Slovenia and Zambia .
The project schedule started on 7th August and ended 18th August 2002.All the member countries participated fully and the IRFF goal of building an orphans school was accomplished .
Arrival of the participants and orientation courses in Lusaka
The delegates from IRFF chapters in the world started to report in Zambia on 7th August 2002 at Twikatane farm as a meeting place .On the same day , the member countries got in touch by knowing each other. Thereafter, Mr. Nicholas Chisha took a chance and welcomed all IRFF participants from various countries of the world and project programmes were set forth.
The project started with the orientation to explain the historical background , mission and vision of IRFF .The latter orientation courses were: self introduction, character building, brainstorming on the importance of team work, Project proposal guidelines, interaction styles and group formation.
The main objective of these courses was to prepare all the participants to be aware of their responsibilities and commitment for the implementation of the project which was ahead in Ndola.
Project Analysis and activities in Ndola area
After theoretical practises in Lusaka at Twikatane farm, all the IRFF participants set off from Lusaka towards the project site on Copperbelt in Ndola. Upon arrival, the participants visited the project site and again Mr. Nicholaus gave a brief explanation of the project . From the second day up to the last day participants were working at the project site according to the path of the day set forth by the officials of IRFF notably Mr.Nicholaus Chisha, Arnold Kashembe and Sister Lara together with Sister Eliska . Generally speaking the works were categorized and performed according to groups . The participants helped the masons to build, to fetch water, to clean the environment, to construct a fence around the school , to carry bricks and do all sorts of works needed to be done such as tree planting etc... .
Henceforth the IRFF objective in Zambia was attained because the participants showed a sense of voluntarism, responsibility, unity, understanding and togetherness.
Achievements and Problems throughout the project
Achievements
The project achieved many things including accomplishment of the school. The objectives of IRFF have been reached that is to help the people of Mackenzie community. especially the children who were in need of social service notably a school.
On the other side of the coin the IRFF participants learned many things such as a sense of voluntarism, good character, one self-conduct, advantages of working as a group, unity, tolerance and time respect. All these will be applicable for every participant wherever he/she will be. Also the participants were given a mission to go and offer all that they have seen, heard and learned. In one word we can say "receive to give"is the mission for every participant who attended the IRFF project in Ndola.
Problems encountered
Despite the achievements , the project faced a number of problems notably:
Solution and recommendation
All the problems encountered can only be solved if the project organizers will be extra careful when proposing any project wherever in the world. We recommended that before setting up any project the precaution should be taken beforehand so as to avoid unnecessary problems.
Appreciation
All in all we appreciate the work done by IRFF coordinator based in Zambia, Mr. Nicholaus Chisha, because everyone of us learned many things which where not known to us before. Therefore we kindly and honestly say that the project was really wonderful and exciting.
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Copyright (c) 2003 IRFF Europe
Luxembourg@irff-europe.org
