CHILD ACTION INITIATIVE CELEBRATES CHRISTMAS WITH CHILDREN, PARENTS, GUARDIANS AND PASTORS
CHILD ACTION INITIATIVE NEWS LETTER - JANUARY 16, 2011
In a recent e-mail received from Child Action Initiative (CAI), founder Isaiah (Esaie) Njimbu Chot wrote:
“On December 18, 2010 a CAI Christmas celebration was organized with children, parents, guardians and pastors in attendance. The Children sang Christmas songs and read biblical verses in connection with Christ’s birth. Children playing the roles of angels and shepherds announced the good news of Christ’s birth. It was a very exciting event for all.”
“The World Vision Administrator for the Kasungami Area was in attendance and brought musical instruments for the celebration and blue and white material to be sewn into school uniforms” by the women.
“Child Action Initiative provided clothing as gifts and refreshments for the children.”
Isaiah stated: “This event was so important. Many orphaned children are not often lucky to enjoy such kind of event after the death of their parents. Due to socio-economic conditions many parents would prefer to buy clothes, food and organize gifts for their children but cannot afford them. Many orphaned children are neglected with no one to care for them. Their hearts are broken when they remember their parents who they cannot see again. So they need affection.”
CHILD ACTION INITIATIVE PROGRESS DURING 2010:
• 52 children successfully completed the school program for 2009 & 2010. These children were enrolled in the program for 2010 & 2011 school year;
• First phase of the Women's & Children’s Activity Center was completed. 10 women completed the sewing and knitting vocational training classes taught by Isaiah’s wife, Yvette. We are hopeful they will be able to market their products to earn income. A pharmacy has been added to the Center and is expected to open soon to dispense over the counter drugs as required;
• Nazareth UMC received new windows provided by Dave Heiser during his visit to Kasungami the summer of 2010; new doors were provided by an anonymous donor; dirt floors were replaced with a new concrete floor; the steeple was reconstructed and a cross added, various repairs to the brick structure were made. The corrugated steel roofing was donated by the local Catholic Mission. Labor was provided by church members ;
• Isaiah continues to enlist volunteer doctors and nurses from various United Methodist Churches in nearby City of Lubumbashi to periodically visit Kasungami and provide much needed medical services;
• The construction of two latrines and hand wash facility which was started at Nazareth United Methodist Church (UMC) this summer by Dave Heiser and Isaiah, has been completed by Isaiah and church members;
• September, 2010, Dave Heiser met with Ms. June Kim Coordinator of UMCOR’s Sustainable Agriculture & Development (SA&D) program. This meeting enabled Dave to learn about the programs goals and objectives and how it will benefit CAI;
• Dave Heiser, Bev and Ed provided Power Point CAI presentations at our respective home churches in 2010. In early October, we were invited to make a presentation to The Foundry, a very large Sunday school class at Edenton Street United Methodist Church (ESUMC), Raleigh, NC. Dave was also invited to meet with the Congo Subcommittee at ESUMC to discuss the scope of CAI to determine if there is mutual interest in working with or supporting CAI.
Women's and Children’s Activity Center
Blessings,
Bev & Ed Wentz, Dave Heiser
Beverly A. Wentz, R.N. (Retired) & Edward L. Wentz, Jr., P.E. (Retired)
U.S. UMVIM Coordinators for Child Action Initiative
Oak Ridge United Methodist Church
Oak Ridge, NC
Greensboro District
Western North Carolina United Methodist Conference
David M. Heiser, P.E., B.C.E.E.
U.S. UMVIM Technical Advisor for Child Action Initiative
Fuquay Varina United Methodist Church
Fuquay Varina, NC
Raleigh District
North Carolina United Methodist Conference
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