Country Updates
Zambia
Pure Nard Preschool
The school year in Zambia started late on February 1st instead of January 4th because of a rise in COVID 19 cases. However, school has been going very well so far.
What’s new?
- Increased number of students since 2020
- Added second baby class for a total of 4 classes: 2 baby, 1 middle, 1 reception (kindergarten)
- We thank God that Reception teacher Felistus and her new baby Evalyn are doing great!
- We met with parents to encourage them to continue being active participants in the school activities to continue promoting quality education.
Sustainable Pig Farming Project
Progress is happening! Pure Nard Ministries plans to complete the first half of the pig pen very soon. Then they will start adding pigs to the pen while finishing construction.
Why pig farming?
- Provide sustainability, food security and life skills training
- Provide job training in livestock husbandry skills for Teen Challenge participants
- Provide several jobs for people in the community
This self-sustainability approach to ministry has a long-lasting impact and will continue to give those we serve in Zambia opportunities for income generation to fund ministry operations and development.
Prayer Requests
Pray for this year’s new staff and students as they transition, for Felistus and her new baby, the sustainability pig farming project and for the health of all the staff, students, and the young men in Teen Challenge.
Liberia
Action Faith Institute
AFI is grateful to God for the support from STC! The entire school was out of water recently and water had to be fetched outside of the school grounds, holding up the school schedule. STC’s donation helped AFI purchase a hand pump for water, as well as COVID supplies such as water barrels, sanitizer, soap, and masks.
Romeo’s Success Story, by an AFI Staff Member
Romeo Ballah is a 10-year-old 4th grader with a unique servant heart. He lives right beside the school in an unfinished building with his unemployed father. Romeo comes on campus often to help clean up the school in appreciation of his sponsorship from Serve the Children. Romeo does this voluntarily, which means a lot to us because it fulfills the motto of the school, “Learn to Serve” and speaks volumes about a grateful heart. We believe Romeo will be a great leader with a servant heart.
Prayer Requests
For the growth of the computer lab, for sponsors for many other students in need of sponsorship, and for all of the students’ and staff members’ health.
India
The Lasina School and Emmanuel Education Center
Despite pandemic challenges, the staff in India have continued to persevere by the Lord’s grace. The school in Lasina is still closed, but the teachers travel to the students’ homes to teach them and provide homework.
Emmanuel Education Center in Mumbai reopened in September! We thank God for the dedicated teachers who educate children well in the Mumbai slum in such difficult times.
- All the children and teachers there are well
- The Center runs 6 days a week for about 40 children.
- We provide one nutritious meal and education per government curriculum.
Vocational Training
Classes for Mumbai slum youth who have dropped out of school are going very well. 20 boys and girls are completing basic computer courses and 20 girls are in basic tailoring classes. Completing these courses will give students a marketable skill and the needed confidence to learn more and get jobs or start their own small businesses.
Prayer Requests
Pray for the safety and health of our staff and children. A second wave of COVID has hit India and the new strain is spreading across the country. Please also pray we can continue to provide nutritious food to our children at Emmanuel Education Center.
Sustainable Pig Farming in Zambia
We have an exciting project starting in Zambia. Through the help of STC, Pure Nard Ministries will be able to have a sustainable pig farm. This project is in the beginning stages with the construction of the pig pens. The team is very busy clearing driveways and digging waste pits and the foundation to prepare the pig farm site.
This project will provide sustainability, food security, life skills training and job creation. This self sustainability approach to ministry has a long lasting impact and will continue to give those we serve in Zambia opportunities for income generation to be utilized for ministry operations and development.
The chicken sustainability project has been very successful and these projects will serve as a model that can be followed by the students in the Teen Challenge program, children in the preschool and the entire community. Several people will be equipped through this pig farming project in livestock husbandry skills, that will make them employable. Also, several jobs will be created for people within the community. Thank you donors for helping this project get started and changing the lives of children and families across the world.
Zambia Update
Good news: the Pure Nard School in Zambia is back in session! The teachers report that the homeschool packets given to students during the COVID lockdown have had a significant impact and have made it easier for students to get back into a learning routine. We are so proud of the Pure Nard staff and thankful for their hard work and dedication to the children we serve.  |
| We always appreciate your prayers for our STC children and families, our staff, and our board, especially during this challenging season. |
Thank you for all your support!
Because of the money we raised at the auction we were able to provide solar panels for 3 chicken pens in Zambia. Pure Nard Ministries currently has over 12,000 chickens and produces 200 trays of eggs per day. The profit from the egg sales helps sustain Pure Nard Ministries Preschool and the Teen Challenge Program. These solar panels will keep the chickens warmer, help with egg production and egg quality.
Zambia
Serve the Children will now be partnering with Pure Nard Ministries to help continue the amazing work that is being done in Mungu, Zambia.
Pure Nard Ministries is located in Mungu, a rural community south of Zambia’s capital, Lusaka. The preschool has three classes; a baby class (3 year olds), a middle class (4 and 5 year olds), and a reception (which we know as kindergarten, for 6 and 7 year olds). It is an English-medium school (classes are taught in English), giving a head-start to some of the world’s poorest as they gain school readiness. The school serves its children and their families by providing an education, but it also serves the community by providing a meal for students and by drawing families into the church. Future goals include adding classes up to grade seven, preparing students for the grade seven exams, and adding secondary school grades.