NUI Blog - Northrise University Initiative

by Kambole and Choongo

It has been a while since we first sat around the boardroom table as the newly recruited Media Team. We were trying to digest the terminologies that the Northrise University Initiative (NUI) team from the United States was presenting to us.
It was “aperture this… shutter speed that…” : /

For most of us without a photocopying technique in the back of our heads, it seemed a lot to take in in less than a week.
The day the team left, we remained wondering whether we could really pull it off. To top it off, the media team has received criticism on its purpose from some students. Their biggest concern being whether the group will last or not, and if the purpose will truly be achieved. A principal stumbling block is having to juggle school work with the pressure of writing stories for the blog. In the end, this would usually cause us to procrastinate our work.

However, besides the challenges, the Media Team is growing strong and continues to show some serious potential with so many stories being updated on the NUI blog weekly. The whole NUI blog experience kind of gives us the feeling of being in a movie about young journalists battling it out to have their stories on the front page. NUI has definitely helped us to improve our writing skills and vocabulary. It has also opened our eyes to seeing a story behind everything no matter how small it may be. Not forgetting the thrilling experience of working with the gadgets and other devices for photography and videos – thanks to the U.S. NUI Media Team and Kelby Training.

This is only the beginning. And it is evident that the Media Team and NUI will achieve a lot more success… the best is truly yet to come!!!

There was silence in the boardroom. Everyone present was busy scribbling in their note books. Susan Hillgren was taking the members of NU media through her experience of the concepts of writing as a former NBC reporter. “Write what you Know”, Susan pointed out. “You never get in trouble by writing what you know.”

Susan her husband, Mark, and Carl her 19 year old son, arrived in Zambia two days ago. With them were the Elmores, visiting Zambia too. Clad in a blue scarf, lovely smile and intelligent eyes, she poured out her experience to the team. Everyone was eager as well as willing to learn. The eyes in tandem with the ears devoured everything given to them. Half way through the discussion, there was a twist. “Write in present tense an early memory in your life before you were aged seven. Write it as if you’re at that age today” This was an exercise to invoke the writing abilities of everyone present. Five minutes later, everyone had put at least a paragraph of his or her childhood memory on paper. Chibozu, a student and part of NU Media at Northrise, was the first brave one to read out her short memory. All appreciated it. A calming ease fell on the group. The realization that with little effort each one of us had a story to tell was astounding.

Next, everyone in the boardroom presented a version of the childhood memory from an adult perspective. Stories with less than 15 words per sentence were read out. Insights of human experiences were told in each one’s own words. The lessons learnt were well received because towards the close of the refresher discussion, everyone was smiling. All the stories were presented in light of the techniques shared. “The parables of Jesus Christ are the basis of most of today’s creative writing,” emphasized Susan in closing. “I hope you put this to practice as a challenge to becoming a writer”.

By Duke

Scott Shillings is on the Northrise University farm committee and he arrived in Ndola, Zambia on 16 July, 2009. This is not his first visit to Northrise. He has been here twice before with his son Grant. And this time, Scott has come in the company of Grant and Conrad Shillings, his sons. For Conrad, this is his first visit to Zambia and from the expression on his face one can tell he has found its not quite what he expected.

Scott and his family live in Houston, Texas in the USA. The family have been friends to Northrise for a number of years now through Scott’s contact with the Institute. This visit in July for the Shilling’s will be for a period of 5 days, and a number of activities are scheduled for them during their stay here. Scott will be looking to hear reports on the progress on Northrise Farms and by the achievements made so far, they will be good ones. He mentioned that some of the future projects for Northrise farms include research into innovative farming methods for the small scale farmer and another batch of chickens that will be reared for meat as well as planning other developmental phases for the farm in terms of another chicken coop and banana plantation.

Other activities schedule for the Scotts include a visit to Ndola’s Arthur Davision Children’s Hospital, Mapalo (an orphanage run by one of Northrise’s own, Mr Emil Mukuka), and the community school in Mackenzie. On Sunday, they will be worshipping the Lord the African style at Ndola’s Baptist Church. Having travelled so many miles away from home to visit Northrise, it is interesting to note that God is everywhere because the same God worshipped some many miles away is the same God the Shilling will be worshipping with us on Sunday.

by Banji and Mukupa

Though separated by miles and miles of oceanic water, a family traveled from the United States to Zambia, in Africa, to share and give a little hope and some fun to some children at a newly opened children’s counseling center, ALM (Arising Life Ministries), located in Mushili, a compound in Ndola. A student of Northrise University, Mrs. Joyce Chimbila, founded the center.

This lovely family, the Oltmans, came to know about ALM through Dr Moffat Zimba, the Northrise University president (Northrise is the center’s primary sponsor). The Oltmans, who were said to have a passion to help vulnerable children, were at ALM on the 3rd and 4th of July, a visit that was well timed as the center’s launch had only been on the 2nd of July. The main purpose of their visit was to have a vocation Bible school for the children who were 48 in number on the first day and 54 by the second day.

Apart from Bible lessons, the family also had a load of fun activities laid out for the children; from fun games such as double-dutch and soccer, taking their Polaroid pictures and framing them, to singing and dancing. The Oltmans also made a donation of t-shirts, teaching materials, sports equipment such as soccer balls and skipping ropes, a DVD player, and a camera. The Oltmans certainly made an impression on those adorable faces — it was easy to see that in their eyes.

Mrs Chimbila was grateful for the Oltmans’ contribution to the center, and she thanked God on behalf of the board, for them and their timely support, and for their divine connection at ALM. She also thanked Northrise University through Dr. and Mrs. Zimba for identifying and supporting them. She expressed happily how she was looking forward to working with Northrise.

In a separate interview, Mrs. Chimbila mentioned that the children started school at the center on the 13th of July 2009. 15 children were enrolled from the compound last week and as she was leaving for Northrise that morning at about 10am, she was encouraged that 8 had already arrived. Their syllabus comprises the Word of God, the Alphabet and drawing.

By Chibozu Maambo

On a cold Friday afternoon dated 3rd July 2009, a group of six Northrise University students made their way to a place called Childcare and Adoption Society, Ndola Transient Home. Upon arrival, the Northrise University students were given a warm welcome and directed to the Directors Office. The director at Childcare and Adoption Society, Sarah Longwe, gave the Northrise University students a download of how the Society began.

Childcare Adoption Society is the only home in the town of Ndola that is a centre for Adoption. It is also one of the oldest homes in Ndola which dates back as far as April 1995 when it attained its full registration. It is amazing to note that 500 children have passed through the home ever since it’s opening. Aunt Sarah, as the little children know her, looks after 23 children in total. However there are 9 other mothers who help her take care of the little ones. The children include single and double orphans, children whose parents are in prison and children who were dumped by their mothers. These children are given a temporal home until the society helps them find a permanent one. In their temporal home, they are fed with a balanced diet and are also taught how to read and write. Apart from that the children also have a play ground where they spend their recreation time. For one to adopt a child, they need to meet certain requirements that assure a home of love and support for the child’s needs. A relationship also needs to be established before they give the child away. Even after adoption, a regular check is done by the adoption Society to ensure that the child is in safe hands.

The Northrise University students went to meet the little ones and also played with them. The children’s eyes had a glimmer of hope. They knew and were assured that there are people out there who care and feel for them. The students then presented the basic necessities they had brought for the children which included books and snacks. They also left them with a prayer.

Being a Nothrise University student is not about academics alone but also giving back to the community selflessly. It is also about inspiring the person next to you. For the Northrise students, it was an experience they will never forget because they left the little ones with hope for tomorrow. People at Northrise University who have a big heart for others made this trip possible. The NU students hope to return to the Adoption Society to visit the children again.

By Mukupa

The 2nd of July 2009 was a very important day not only for Northrise University but for the community of Mushili as well. Mushili is a compound located in the southern part of Ndola with a population of approximately 5000 families. It had been a rather windy day but this did not deter the community of Mushili and the invited guests from coming to witness the official opening of a children’s counseling center; ALM (Arising Life Ministries).

This ministry has been a life long vision of Mrs. Joyce Chimbila, a bachelor of Theology student at Northrise University. Northrise University is the primary sponsor of ALM. ALM’s mission is to support, educate and counsel children as well as their mothers, to help them find some footing in their live. Ivin Gregory, the M.M.M (Mobile Mission Maintenance – Australia) director was the guest of honor. He gave a confirmation speech on Mrs. Chimbila’s dream. Mrs. Chimbila was grateful for the realization of her dream, she specifically thanked Northrise University through Dr. and Mrs. Zimba as well as many other partners involved; parents, the board, the workers and friends, for making this dream come true. She also challenged and requested all involved to continue praying and supporting the ministry because there is hope for the children of Mushili and indeed Zambia through their support.

The ALM counseling center building has two major halls. The halls will be used for classes, meetings, and feeding programs. The halls will not be limited to these uses but will be extended to any other activities that need adequate space. This is because they are the major structures of the building. The building also has 3 rooms, which will be used as counseling offices. There is also one storeroom, a kitchen, two toilets and a shower. There is no electricity in the building and the roof is made of very old Iron roofing sheets. Water supply for the building is connected to the municipal council water supply line, however this area (Mushili) usually receives erratic water supply and one can immediately identify the need for a bole hole for the workers and all involved in the center for them to be able to enjoy a steady supply of clean water.

Attending the launch of the ALM counseling center was an amazing experience for me. I have seen how God has made this vision a reality. It is humbling to see how this initiative brightens the faces of the people around. We are all excited to see what is to come for ALM; but all I can say is that truly Northrise University is fulfilling its mission statement: “To sustain a Christ centered University that transforms and equips men and women to serve in ministry and business, working in unison for the spiritual and economic health of Zambians.”