Improving girls’ opportunities to education is the main goal of the Mariannhill Missionaries’ Girl Child social outreach project in Zambia. There are many factors that work against the education progression of a girl child. The Girl Child Project is an on-going project found in all CMM rural parishes and surrounding secondary schools in which the Congregation makes a quarterly contribution towards the food, school fees, uniforms, text books, shoes and sanitary pads for the Girl Child. Nseluka parish has 14 outstations with a radius of 15 – 20 km distance. The area has only one secondary school which caters for children from these far areas.

The school has no boarding facilities, therefore children have to come early in the morning and go back late in the evening. The girls therefore have to find a relative who stays nearby and lodge with them. Others do not have relatives. Some organise themselves and stay in some building on their own and go back to the villages over the weekend to go and get food from their parents. They are not safe, and the conditions are not ideal for a school going child, especially vulnerable girls. Hence the need to have a hostel for girls and that is why we are coming to you today so that we be able to provide a secure place for these girls and help them get the education they need to improve their living.

May God continue to bless our generous benefactors and all who participate in Christ’s mission of reaching out to the vulnerable children.

Fr. Ivor Chaebwa CMM

Regional Superior in Zambia