Voices from Zambia

Over these forty years, the Association Pope John XXIII has woven its story with that of Zambia, building day by day a presence founded on listening, welcome, and sharing. It is time to give voice to those who have lived this adventure firsthand: members of the Association, street children who have found a new family, educators, workers, staff, and others who, in various ways, have walked alongside this reality.
The testimonies collected are like a mirror reflecting the beauty of the encounters experienced over these years: every person welcomed—children, the elderly, men and women in difficulty—has been a precious gift to the Association, enriching it with their own story and humanity. At the same time, the Association Pope John XXIII continues to be a point of reference for many, building together new vital worlds in which no one is excluded.

Members of the Association Pope John XXIII

Anthony Bantungwa, 63, shares his life with the boys of the Cicetekelo project, supporting their spiritual growth. He has been a member of Apg23 since 1995.

Christine Kantu, 57, has been part of the Association Pope John XXIII since 1997. Christine shares her life by welcoming the poor into her home and collaborating with the Sisters of Bethany. She is also an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist at Christ the King Cathedral in Ndola. “What struck me when I first encountered the Association Pope John XXIII was the love and care for the poor; the way the Association showed love for abandoned children, the poor, and people with disabilities,” Christine recounts. “I was touched by the fact that some members of the Association came to help our people as missionaries. In my opinion, the most significant events in the history of Apg23 in Zambia were the meetings during the community days with Don Oreste: having him among us was a great blessing. The African summit (a meeting of Apg23 zones present in Africa) was also a great achievement because we were able to exchange ideas and share experiences.”

Susan Mwenya shares her life in the family home called “Fatima Home” in Mansa. She is 56 and has been a member of Apg23 since 2003.
Prudence Mubanga, 48, shares her life in the Rainbow project in Kitwe Kamatipa. She became a confirmed member of Apg23 in 2003, is married, and a mother of three.

Daisy Kumwenda has been part of the Association since 2003. She is 56 and also shares in the Rainbow project. Daisy is married, has two biological children and two in foster care. “What touched my heart when I got to know Apg23 was the way of sharing life directly with the least,” explains Daisy. “I think the most significant experience is the hope that the Association has brought into my life and that of my family, and, in general, into the lives of many people in society: their lives have changed and dreams have come true.”

Clement Mwamba, 48, joined the Community in 2004. Clement shares his life with the children of the Cicetekelo project and with street children. He is married and a father of four.

Victoria (Adin) Bayungi, 54, has been a member of Apg23 since 2007. Victoria does not currently share community life in any specific project, but participates in community gatherings.

Doris Mwenya, 63, has been part of the Association since 2011. She actively participates in community life as a group animator and supports the formation of those who wish to deepen their understanding of the Apg23 vocation (Vocational Verification Period).

Cynthia Milambo, 41, is married and works outside the Association. She has been a member of Apg23 since 2011 and occasionally attends community meetings. “The way of life, especially the direct sharing of life with the least in society, motivated me to get to know the Association Pope John XXIII better,” says Cynthia. “I lived this experience with the Rainbow project in Kantolomba, where I shared my life with the poor, and this gave me joy and happiness. I think one of the most remarkable events in the history of the Community in Zambia was the visit of Don Oreste: we could see how the people with whom we share life expressed their happiness at seeing and greeting the founder. It was a wonderful moment.”

Gilbert Mulenga Kaela, 52, has been part of the Association since 2018 and shares his life with the young people of the community projects. “What struck me most,” says Gilbert, “was the unity among us and the moments of prayer. The most significant moments I have experienced in these years were the African summit and when the bishop visited us.”

Christine Mwewa, 56, has been a member of Apg23 since 2016 and works in the secretariat of the Association Pope John XXIII. “From the beginning, I was deeply struck by the work of mercy and charity that the Community is still doing today. I think all the projects that have been carried out are remarkable, for example the Cicetekelo project, the help for the elderly, young people, and people with disabilities.” Christine shares her life with the elderly and at the Holy Family Home, where the White Helmets are also hosted. She has a daughter, a granddaughter, and Maxi, a child of the Community. She is an extraordinary minister for the Eucharist at Christ the King Cathedral in Ndola and is a group animator.

In addition to these members already confirmed in the vocation of the Association Pope John XXIII in Zambia, there are also three people undertaking the vocational verification journey: Judith Katayi, Charles Mumba Mwamba, and Shadrek Mwanza.

Over the years, some have given their precious contribution by living the Association’s vocation and are now in the arms of the merciful Father. Among them, we remember: John Chikusela, Charles Machila, George Miti, Matildah Kantu, Esther Kaoma, Elias Mwango, and Chibilo Munshya. The latter, in an interview dating back to 2008, recounted: “I still remember the visit of Don Oreste Benzi. He managed to stop for a while to see what I was doing with Filippo and how I was doing it, and he was very impressed. He said to me: ‘You have the vocation. I want you to join us in the Community.’ And so it was. I am proud to be identified with the Association Pope John XXIII and that many brothers and sisters in Zambia and around the world have chosen this vocation. Welcome! Karibu sana! Bien venus! Mwaiseni mukuwai!”

Gratitude and Hope

The testimonies that follow are very moving: many young people recount, in simple but meaningful words, what the Cicetekelo project means to them. We will also hear the voices of workers, educators, and staff from the Cicetekelo and Rainbow projects.

Felix Simwanda: “My name is Felix, and my life has been deeply influenced by the Pope John XXIII Association. In 2002, thanks to a Cicetekelo teacher, Mr. Bwalya, I entered the Nkwazi project, which gave me the chance to change my life. My family was living in economic hardship and, unfortunately, I had to face many losses, but thanks to the support I received from the Association, I managed to move forward. Even though I initially felt insecure and difficulties were not lacking, the Association gave me the psychological support and motivation I needed not to give up. Over time, I managed to complete my studies successfully and began to work. For more than 10 years, I have worked hard at the Gigibontà ice cream parlour, which collaborates with the Cicetekelo Youth Project, and this job has allowed me to be independent and support myself. Over the years, the Association has always been by my side, especially in the most difficult moments of my life. I have lost all my close blood ties, but the support of Gloria Gozza and Stefano Maradini gave me the strength to carry on. Their constant presence and encouragement allowed me not to lose hope. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you have done for me. The journey I have faced has not been easy: there have been difficult, complicated, and painful moments. But thanks to your support, my life has taken a new direction. I continue to deeply appreciate the help you have given me, and I will always be grateful and honoured. I wish you to always be blessed in everything you do. Thank you again, truly. Looking back, I am grateful for the path the Association has made possible. It has given me the tools to overcome challenges and to work on myself, teaching me never to give up and to believe in a better future. Without the Pope John XXIII Association, I would not have been able to overcome so many obstacles and achieve the goals I have today.”

Webby Chanda: “I want to thank the Cicetekelo project, and especially Stefano Maradini, for always being there for us. His constant closeness and commitment have truly changed my life. He gave me many opportunities, and thanks to him, today I do the work I love: I am a football coach. Finally, I am living a good life with my family, and that means everything to me.”

Sefelino Mwananga: “I started working for the Cicetekelo Youth Project in 2003 as a security guard. Today I have several roles: I am responsible for the mill, a butcher, and a sales assistant. This professional growth path has been possible thanks to your continued support. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the help you have given me and my family. May God bless you.”

Chiwala Watson: “I want to thank Stefano Maradini from the bottom of my heart for the support he has given me over all these years. Thanks to him, I had the opportunity to receive an education at the Cicetekelo project’s community school, from when I was just a boy until I completed secondary school. I also thank the entire Association Pope John XXIII for offering us opportunities for continuous growth through training courses and workshops. For me, it is very important how, together, we have managed to build a real family. I am grateful for having had the opportunity to stay in the project even after my educational journey, and for being given the opportunity to work as a basketball coach. I will always be by the side of the children of Zambia. I deeply believe in the protection and safeguarding of childhood, and I am convinced that together we can reach ever higher levels in the care and welcome of the children and young people of Cicetekelo.”

Tumbe Chisenga: “I began my journey with the Cicetekelo Youth Project in Nkwazi in 1999. I started attending lessons and learning the art of craftsmanship. The first item I made was a wooden mask. In 2009, I obtained my high school diploma. I am deeply grateful for everything the Cicetekelo project has done for me. First of all, I thank you for the care and support I received from the moment I entered the project. They gave me an education, a job, and today I am a worker. I am married, a father of three, and happy with the life I have built.”

Gerard Banda: “I would like to share my story with you. I met the association on 1 January 1999 and, to this day, I am still part of it. Twenty-five years have passed since then. At the time, I was living on the street, and when I arrived at the project, there were already 30 boys before me. From the Cicetekelo Youth Project, and from the extraordinary people I met along the way, I learned so much: I acquired technical skills, such as the use of technology and the art of sculpture, but above all I learned how to build a better life. I am truly grateful for all this and I will always respect you for the change you have made possible in my life. Today, I am a responsible father of six children and I am proud to bear this name. I love it when my children recognise me as a present, solid, and happy father.”

Shadreck Mwanza: “I deeply appreciate the constant commitment and lasting impact that the Association, especially Gloria Gozza and Stefano Maradini, have had on the Cicetekelo project. They have transformed the lives of many people, offering support and opportunities to so many young people. I am sincerely grateful for the way they have guided us, for their willingness to share their knowledge, and for the strength with which they have inspired us. I wish the Association Pope John XXIII, Cicetekelo, and all those involved many more years of success.”

Christopher Mwape: “My name is Christopher, I am a former boy of the Cicetekelo project. Thanks to this project, I grew up: I received a complete education, from first to twelfth grade. A few years ago, at the end of my training journey within the project, I was given the opportunity to stay first as a volunteer and, later, I was offered a job. In my life, few people have really been by my side, but among them is certainly the great family of the Cicetekelo Project, which I will never forget. They are the ones who raised me. Gloria and Stefano, for me, are extraordinary figures: every day they give their best to carry forward such a large and important project.”

Christopher Mulenga: “I am grateful to be able to share my work experience in the administrative sector of the Cicetekelo Youth Project – Association Pope John XXIII, where I have served for almost twenty years. This long journey has profoundly marked my life, contributing to my personal growth and teaching me the value of resilience, dedication, and love. When I first entered the organisation twenty years ago, I was driven by a combination of enthusiasm and uncertainty. I still remember my first entry into the Cicetekelo Youth Project: I was welcomed by the curious looks of children who had lived through difficult experiences, often too big for their young age. It was a strong impact, which ignited in me a deep motivation to want to make a difference in their lives. Over the years, I have witnessed extraordinary transformations. Every child brought with them a unique story, but in all of them I saw a spark of hope. Through the support and attention received within the project, we became a real family. I have seen boys grow, going from being shy and withdrawn to becoming confident, determined young adults, full of trust in the future. Of course, there have been difficulties. There have been moments of pain, of loss, days when the weight of the challenges seemed too great to bear. But it was precisely in those moments that I learned how fundamental compassion, listening, and presence are. Every obstacle has represented an opportunity to grow, to become more empathetic, and to offer a stable point of reference to those in need. Reflecting on these twenty years, I can say with pride that we have not limited ourselves to offering shelter and material goods, but we have built an environment where the boys could feel welcomed, free to dream, to learn, and to become complete adults. Together with a passionate and competent team, we have created programmes that respond to the needs not only physical, but also emotional and psychological, of our young people. Today, as I share these words, I feel deeply grateful for the opportunity to have been part of their lives. I am inspired every day by the strength and resilience of these boys, and I carry with me their faces, their stories, and their achievements. In conclusion, my twenty years within the organisation are a concrete testimony to the power of hope and change. I am infinitely grateful for everything I have received and learned along this journey, and I look with enthusiasm to the next chapters of this mission. I also want to express my heartfelt thanks for the guidance, support, and inspiration received from the director Stefano Maradini, as well as from the extraordinary team of colleagues with whom I have had the privilege of collaborating.”

Linda Kayombo: “Cicetekelo has been a home for many of us. Personally, I have experienced great growth, both personally and professionally, since I was given the opportunity to join the great family of the Association Pope John XXIII. The relationships and bonds that have been created over time with colleagues, as well as with the children, have profoundly transformed my life. It has been a journey that has enriched and changed me, and that I continue to carry in my heart every day. The number 40 has a special meaning. With great joy, I share the happiness of celebrating 40 years of the Association Pope John XXIII presence in Zambia: an important milestone that bears witness to dedication, love, and service to the most vulnerable.”

Maxildah Musoke: “My name is Maxildah and I am the supervisor of the Nutrition Programme in Zambia for the Rainbow project of the Association Pope John XXIII. I began collaborating with the Association in 2002. Currently, we coordinate 12 nutrition centres, where we take care of malnourished children aged between 6 months and 5 years. Our work is centred on the care and prevention of child malnutrition. In each centre, once a week, we meet the children’s mothers to carry out various fundamental activities: we weigh the children, check their nutritional and health status, offer practical demonstrations of food preparation, and hold educational meetings on health. We work closely with local clinics and hospitals, to ensure timely and effective intervention in the most serious cases or when more in-depth medical assistance is needed. For me, doing this work is much more than a simple profession: it is a true life mission. Seeing the children recover, start smiling again, gain weight, and regain their energy is an immense joy. It gives me strength, motivation, and a deep sense of gratitude. I like this job because it allows me to be useful, to make a concrete difference in people’s lives, and to accompany families on a journey of hope and change. Every child who returns to health is a small victory that gives meaning to all our efforts. I also wish to express my sincere thanks to the Association Pope John XXIII, with which I have collaborated for several years. Not only has it given me the opportunity to grow professionally and humanly, but it has also been by my side during the most difficult moments of my personal life, especially during periods when I had health problems. The support I received in those circumstances was precious and I will never forget it. I felt part of a real family, welcomed, listened to, and supported with affection and respect. For all this, I am deeply grateful.”

Chisha Mulenga: “My name is Chisha and I have been collaborating with the Association Pope John XXIII for 25 years. A long and significant journey, during which I worked for 10 years within the Rainbow Project and, subsequently, in the Cicetekelo Youth Project. In these years, I have had the privilege of observing and witnessing many changes in the lives of the people we have accompanied. The impact of the association’s work has been profound, both at the family and individual level. I have seen children, young people, and families rise up, regain dignity and hope thanks to concrete and continuous support. The Association Pope John XXIII carries out numerous projects that take care of others, always with the aim of improving the quality of life. Through educational, health, nutritional, and social activities, we commit ourselves every day to building a fairer and more humane environment, especially for the little ones. For me, too, this work has represented a personal transformation. It has taught me to look at the world with different eyes, to better understand reality and human fragility. A child is—and always will be—a child: with the right to have opportunities, to feel protected, to grow up in a safe and loving place. My commitment is not only professional, but also deep and personal. Every story, every face I have met has left a mark inside me. And even today I continue this journey with gratitude and dedication.”

Hassan Kalunga: “My name is Hassan, I am 27 years old and I am a boy who in the past was welcomed by the Association Pope John XXIII in the Cicetekelo project. I grew up and was educated with the values transmitted by all those who over the years have collaborated with the organisation. I deeply appreciate the opportunity and the strategic vision you have brought to the Cicetekelo project for children and young people. Your commitment has transformed the lives of many boys, giving them back hope and trust in the future. The project has contributed to the growth of young people in every aspect: spiritual, physical, and mental. Many boys and entire families have benefited from the positive changes that have occurred in the lives of the children and young people involved. I am sincerely grateful for the availability, sacrifices, and determination of all the people who support this project, helping many to find the right path in life. I particularly appreciate the constancy and commitment shown over time, and the profound impact you have had, never leaving anyone behind, not even those living with different abilities. This is the greatest sign of inclusion and authentic love.”

Chiwele Mutambu: “I am very happy to share my work experience with the Association Pope John XXIII and the Cicetekelo Project, with which I have been collaborating for 13 years now. In my role as accountant of the organization, I have had the opportunity to work with Gloria Gozza and Stefano Maradini, two of the most inspiring leaders I have ever met. Their ability to lead the team with clarity, fairness, and genuine attention to others has not only increased our productivity, but has also contributed to creating a positive and respectful work environment. They lead by example, value the contribution of every team member, and constantly support our growth—professionally, personally, and spiritually. The Association Pope John XXIII and the Cicetekelo project have touched the lives of many people, giving hope and dignity back to street children, the elderly, and disadvantaged people in the community, through various interventions in the fields of education, health, welcome, sport, and much more. I am proud to be part of this team. Thank you.”

Christopher Musonda: “My name is Christopher Musonda and I am a young member of the youth group of the Association Pope John XXIII. I have lived in the community for 12 years, and this experience has been fundamental for my growth. Being part of the youth group has taught me what it really means to share life with the poor. It was precisely through the community’s work that I understood that God lives in each of us. I was supported by the project with school support until I completed secondary school, and later I was also offered a work opportunity as a football coach. I am deeply grateful for all this. I wish to express my gratitude for what the Association does for us and for all the people living in situations of extreme poverty.”

Daniel Zyambo: “It was around the year 2000 when I met Stefano in Nkwazi, Ndola, Zambia. At the time, together with two friends, Patrick Mulenga and Mr. Simusokwe, we had a small carpentry workshop where we made various types of furniture, including bunk beds. One day Stefano came to our workshop asking if we could build him some bunk beds. It was the period when he had just started the Cicetekelo youth project in Nkwazi, today known as Cicetekelo Phase One. During the conversation, he proposed that we collaborate and move the workshop to his premises, since our space was too small. So, my friends and I accepted and moved in with him. That was the beginning of the Cicetekelo carpentry workshop. At first, we didn’t have enough machinery, so Stefano started to procure some. One day he took me to Luanshya to see some machinery at a carpentry workshop owned by a certain Mr. Patel, and in the end he bought them. We worked with him for some time, then my two friends left and I stayed alone. I then started to train some of Stefano’s boys, like Mwenya and Chileshe. I also collaborated with Charles Machila (who unfortunately has passed away—may he rest in peace), a member of the Association Pope John XXIII and supervisor of the project. Later, I left the project to attend a two-year general agriculture course. I completed it in 2003 and began working on various farms: first at Mine Farm in Chililabombwe, then at Royal Farm in Baluba, Luanshya. I didn’t know that Stefano was looking for me: he had gone as far as the Don Bosco school in Chingola, thinking I was there, but in fact I had studied at the Flame Tree Farm Training Center, under the Catholic Diocese of Ndola, with Bishop Denis De Jong. When I left Royal Farm and was unemployed, a fellow student, Kiddimiller Kapasa, called me to say they were looking for an agricultural supervisor in the Minsundu area. I accepted his invitation and he took me there: as soon as I arrived at Cicetekelo Phase Two, I was reintroduced to Stefano, who was very happy to see me again and immediately offered me the role of agricultural supervisor. After a few weeks, I was transferred to the Mary Christine project, where I began working with people with disabilities in 2008. After a while, I returned to Cicetekelo Phase Two, this time as agricultural manager. That is where I still am today. This is the path I have walked with Stefano Maradini.”

Sokota: “In my 24 years of working with the Cicetekelo Youth Project, I have been able to witness the great progress made by APG23. This journey has helped me understand how to work with people facing various difficulties. APG23 has created an inclusive environment, where every person is considered important. I have had the opportunity to interact with the elderly, orphaned and vulnerable children, people with physical and intellectual disabilities. Thanks to this approach, society’s perception of these people has changed. The gap between those who are privileged and those who are not has been significantly reduced. The results of APG23 are tangible: I have seen the smiles of those who were once ignored or forgotten by society. Their positive transformation is a source of inspiration and reminds us that in life no one should ever be considered ‘nobody’. Society itself has recognised that APG23 is truly a creator of realised dreams. Thank you to APG23 for the exceptional work done.”

Patrick Mulenga, who together with Stefano Maradini started the Cicetekelo project, says: “The holistic approach of APG23’s programmes has been extraordinary: it has deeply touched many lives within society. Marginalised people have found a place there, something that was once almost a taboo to recognise or even imagine. The initiatives implemented by APG23 speak for themselves: from food distribution, to strengthening the self-esteem of vulnerable children, to the elderly, to people with intellectual or physical disabilities, to name just a few. I have had the privilege of being part of this fantastic Association until today, just as we celebrate 40 years of presence in Zambia. This journey has made life more meaningful, restoring its true sense of ‘UBUNTU’, an ancient African saying that means ‘I am because you are’: an invitation to recognise each other as precious and equal, beyond our abilities or disabilities. I greet and honour you in the name of Jesus.”

Clement Mwamba: “My name is Clement Mwamba Muma and for 23 years I have shared my life with OVC (Orphans and Vulnerable Children) within the Cicetekelo Youth Project. I am writing to share my sincere testimony regarding the incredible work that Cicetekelo has done over the last 27 years to support street children and vulnerable people in our communities. Cicetekelo was founded with the mission of offering support and assistance to those most in need—especially street children and families facing serious difficulties. Over the last 27 years, we have worked tirelessly to create safe environments, offer education, and improve the general well-being of hundreds of children and young people. The idea, the thought, the desire to give life to such a project was born in the mind of Stefano Maradini, and even today it all seems incredible to me. There are many particular situations I could mention, but I always go back to the origins, when Cicetekelo was involved in recovering young people from the Kawama dump. These boys lived by collecting rubbish to survive and were not considered human beings because of the kind of life they led. The levels of illiteracy were very high. We started with literacy and, over time, we created our own community school. Many of these boys were then integrated into the public school system, some have completed secondary school, attend college, and today live a dignified life. A story that struck me in particular is that of a boy named Chembo. He had lived in the dump since he was very young, long before adolescence, and suffered from uncontrolled epileptic seizures. No one took care of him. He was often found on the street with bruises on his head due to epileptic fits. He was unable to speak a comprehensible language, until a Good Samaritan felt the need to take him to a safe place—and that place was Cicetekelo. Cicetekelo not only helps and supports OVC, but has also employed many people who, in turn, support their own families—young men and women. I still remember when we wondered how to deal with the case of a child who could not speak, an epileptic patient. We decided to try. God can work miracles. With the support and love of the whole staff, this child has made incredible progress. Now he can speak and is able to do many things he could not do before. He has been enrolled in a special school, even though at first no one thought he could ever attend one. As a member of the Association Pope John XXIII and a member of the Cicetekelo staff, I have had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the dedication of the director, Stefano Maradini, and his wife Gloria Gozza, currently the area manager for the Association. The impact of Cicetekelo goes beyond individual stories. Our work has promoted community involvement, encouraging local citizens to help those in difficulty. We have collaborated with the government, local organisations, the Church, and individuals to create a stronger support network for those facing difficult situations. I invite everyone to support Cicetekelo in its mission. Whether it is volunteering, donating, or simply spreading the word, every contribution can make a difference. Together, we can change lives. In conclusion, I wish to express my deep gratitude to Cicetekelo for the transformative work done in our community. Their commitment to the most vulnerable reminds us of the power of compassion and action.”

Lewis Chewe: “My name is Lewis Chewe and I am the supervisor of the Cicetekelo Youth Project Centre at the Misundu centre in Ndola, Zambia. I started working with the project on 1 March 2018 as an educator for children and young people. Before joining the Association Pope John XXIII, I observed the work done for orphans and vulnerable children in the Community. However, only once I entered the project did I understand how deep and vast the commitment was. My main task has been to work with street children, including those with disabilities, offering them the affection and care they needed and which were often lacking while they lived on the street. I discovered that these children face many difficulties: hunger, cold, violence, bullying, addictions, separation from family. The project offers them protection, educational, nutritional, psychosocial support, sports, recreational activities, and spiritual and moral accompaniment. For this reason, the Association Pope John XXIII has become for me a school that educates, a home that welcomes, a ground that gives strength, and a Church that evangelises. In the last 6 years, I can say that much has also changed inside me. I have learned that the future of children depends on our ability to protect them and to restore dignity, respect, and the fundamental values of being human. Thanks to the project, I have been able to participate in training courses, including the basic qualification in childcare, as well as other paths that have improved my approach to work. One of the most important things I have experienced has been the opportunity to learn, through daily contact with colleagues and volunteers, to work with dedication and to really listen to the needs of both the children and the staff. What motivates me every day is seeing the children change, improve, find their way home, and become responsible and educated citizens of our country. My wish is that the Cicetekelo Youth Project continues to be a safe and welcoming environment where children and young people can grow and realise their potential. I wish to thank the project director Stefano, the management, and the entire team of the Pope John XXIII Association for the opportunity to work with you and with the children. My sincere appeal is that the project continues to support the children and the poorest people in the community. Thank you.”

Stanley William Malwa: “Let me introduce myself. My name is Stanley William Malwa. I was born on 20 May 1950 in a village in the Kabwe district, central province of Zambia. My family had about twenty cows and as a boy it was often me who took them to pasture. I liked it and, after all, livestock has always been part of my tribe’s culture. After secondary school, I went to study Livestock Science and Production at the Natural Resources Development College in Lusaka, where I graduated in 1973. After graduation, I taught at the Zambia College of Agriculture in Monze, then participated in a United Nations-funded exchange that allowed me to teach for four months at the Botswana Agricultural College in Gaborone. In the following years, I worked as a farm manager for a parastatal company. In 1993, I began collaborating with the diocese of Ndola, Zambia, teaching agriculture and livestock at its Farm Training Centre for seven years. During this period, I met Elisabetta Garuti of the Association Pope John XXIII, creator of the Rainbow Project. Also thanks to the support of this project, in 2001 I founded a small NGO, the Sustainable Agriculture Development and Training Initiative (SADTI), which then began to collaborate with the Rainbow Project. Today we still collaborate both in the nutrition programme for malnourished children and in the training path on domestic agriculture. For the development of a people, unity is strength!”

Maria Thindwa, a Rainbow project worker from the beginning, states: “For me, Rainbow is salvation. Sent by God to give life to vulnerable people. People have been saved from death, from uselessness, and have become people with a purpose in life. Families have been lifted up, children healed from every kind of illness after being affected by malnutrition. I have seen children who had no means to go to school now graduated. Wow, Rainbow is salvation. We thank God for giving us Rainbow!”

Tina, Rainbow operator in Maria Chimona compound, says: «Rainbow to me is family uniting across the globe, with various cultures and traditions, giving us hope, light and new beginnings, where others have given up. Indeed Rainbow is a life saver.».