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.