Love For Lukulu & Beyond
"We the people of Lukulu benefit in different ways; as a whole or as individuals. The “Love for Lukulu" missionaries are so good; they are helping Lukulu to develop. They are a part of Lukulu’s progression in development. They have constructed for the local people a basketball court, built churches (Kalambwe, Simakumba and renovating Ngimbu church). They are helping our lepers (we have a home which was established by the first missionaries in Western Zambia for the leper) by helping to sustain these disabled persons. They also financially contribute to a program called ‘mother’s milk’, which provides formula for those who can’t be breastfed due to varies reason (death of the mother, AIDD, etc.) They provide education assistance those who can’t afford for their School fees, They are also supporting a school lunch program for pupils who can’t afford for their lunch every day due to varies reasons, especially poverty. As we all know that education is an equalizer. It is my hope and belief that one day Lukulu will equalize (develop).
Therefore I am pretty sure that you can’t talk about the development, love, joy and the well-being of Lukulu without making mention of “Love For Lukulu”. Words are not enough to express my feelings or experiences. As one woman said, "the beautiful things in life cannot be touched or seen but are felt in the heart." Things of heart cannot be fully expressed in words. Love for Lukulu has brought light in Lukulu, “let all that you do be done with love.” Love knows no limits."
-Michael Mubita Kaiko, Seminarian of Mongu Diocese, Western Zambia, Africa
"Agnes Nyambe (pictured left) came to the leprosarium two months before Zambia celebrated its first independence in 1964. She is now 55 years living in the leprosarium.
The smile and thankful messages one sees and hears from Agnes when she is visited is a result of such gifts from Love for Lukulu that change the lives of our lepers. In a place like Lukulu, an absolute rural area in the furthest part of Zambia, lives of such people like Agnes would not survive if it were not for missionaries like “Love for Lukulu” and people of good heart and a love to share their resources and time.
The Missionary Oblates and Lukulu parish collaborators thank the Michigan missionaries for their works done in the past and in this 2019. Through their works we have a smile on the faces of our people we serve!"
- Fr. Kennedy, OMI
- Br. Max, OMI.
"Jesus lived a life that embraced poverty. His ministry was to the poorest of the poor in the society in which he lived. Luke 4:18, “The Spirit of Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.” The Spirit of the Lord can be experienced in the mission of the Michigan lay missionaries. The laity have embraced the mission, the gospel of Jesus of inclusion and of reaching out to the most afflicted and disadvantaged.
Through the Michigan lay missionaries assistance, many lives have been transformed, sustained and saved.
Here are some of the programs that have been beneficial to the people of Lukulu:
Mother’s Milk – women who have faced challenges after giving birth, have been helped to keep their new born babies alive and healthy through the mother’s milk program.
Lukulu training center (LTC) – a center where local people can learn basic skills to sustain their lives. The Michigan lay missionaries have helped financially to support the center and individual persons to acquire skills for sustainability.
Lunch program – a feeding program for high school children that travels a long distance to get to school but have no means of providing food for themselves.
Housing for the elderly in the society – the elderly with no assistance from the government, families and society are left in undesirable housing condition. With the help and assistance from the Michigan lay missionaries and the parish, the elderly have found a decent place they can called home.
Scholarship funding - Education is a basic human right but most children more especially in rural areas have no access to education because families cannot afford tuition fees and other requirements. Good education plays a vital role in peoples lives and changes the society. Education is vital for poverty eradication. It promotes basic skills and with better education, the society can economically develop. With the support of the Michigan lay missionaries, most children are now in schools and some have completed their education and gone to universities.
The generosity of the Michigan lay missionaries is an example to the local people of lukulu. Pope John II states, “Nobody is so poor he has nothing to give, and nobody is so rich he has nothing to receive.” Love overcomes all challenges and is open to all situations. Indeed, “love knows no limits” for it changes lives, it gives hope to all to dream of a brighter future."
- Felix N Bwalya, OMI