Kapiri Mposhi District Commissioner Peter Mwiinde has advised people in the area to desist from labelling as satanists, the organizations that complement government efforts in providing certain social services.
Mr. Mwiinde observed that some people in the area were shunning support and services aimed at improving their lives from certain organizations fearing to be initiated into satanism.
He said this when he officiated at the Red Cross Society’s ceremony to distribute school requisites to 350 orphaned and vulnerable children (OVCs) in Kapiri Mposhi district.
He said the services and donations provided by the Zambia Red Cross Society and other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the district were being given out of goodwill and should be embraced by beneficiaries.
Mr. Mwiinde stated that the tendency to brand some non-governmental organizations as satanists was hampering development in the district as people were denying the necessary help to deliver them from poverty.
“This notion that these people are satanists should end, they mean well for you so by denying their support, you are buying your ticket to poverty,” Mr. Mwiinde said.
And Zambia Red Cross Society Deputy Secretary General Patricia Nambuka said the society was supporting 350 school going OVCs with school requisites in Kapiri Mposhi district through its OVC Care and Support Project.
Ms. Nambuka said the society was supporting children from Hilltop, Matiliyo secondary and Mulonga primary schools with school requites that included school shoes, uniforms and books.
“We understand the challenges of the parents and guardians when it comes to supporting the children who have lost the parents and children coming from vulnerable homes. We are just filling the gaps to complement what government is already doing,” Ms. Nambuka said.
Ms. Nambuka said the project is aimed at improving school attendance and reduce the percentage of drop outs among OVCs because of lack of school requites.
And Kapiri Mposhi District Education Board Secretary (DEBS) Maria Zulu said the Ministry of Education was facing challenges to effectively provide education services to OVCs in the selected schools because of inadequate learner support from their parents and guardians.
In a speech read for her by District Education Standards Officer, Paul Manga, Ms. Zulu implored other organizations to come on board and render educational support to OVCs in the district.
She urged beneficiaries to utilize the school requisites provided by the Zambia Red Cross Society for the intended purpose in order to achieve desired results.
Maybe the misconception is based on a known satanist who belongs to a certain NGO.
Ba holier than thou, yet busy kunyopola social cash yama widows, orphans ,the lame and dumb, bauze ndañje boyi .