I first met Fredrick in Zambia in 2004 with the other children in the Zambian Orphan Choir. (He is pictured with the choir when they were on tour in the U.S. and is on the top step.) They were gathered to practice for concerts they would be doing in the U.S. in a few weeks. He immediately stood out, first, because he was one of the tallest, and second, because his leadership qualities quickly became apparent. I remember him asking me some very astute theological questions for a youth his age. Our relationship didn’t end when the choir returned from their time in the U.S. My husband and I continued to sponsor Fredrick and kept in touch with him as he pursued his studies to become a lab tech. Through the ensuing years we continue to hear from him from time to time and feel it has been a privilege for us to invest in his life. The following is his story, written in his own words, but which I’ve edited.
My life before I became part of the Zambia Orphan Choir
I never saw my father. When my mother died, I was looked after by my grandmother. In September 2014, my grandmother died, may her soul rest in peace.
In 2002, I was picked to attend training as a Peer Educator under World Hope International Zambia (WHIZ)*. I had to drop out of 9th grade because of lack of money to meet the school demands. I went to work at a farm, and helped my late grandfather paint. I did some slashing (cutting tall grass with a machete) as well, to find enough money to go back to school. I continued ninth grade in 2003. When our ninth grade examination results came out, I was the only one who made it to the tenth grade from Nakowa Basic School. The resident missionary, Liz Anderson, sponsored me to go on to Kalomo High School. In 2004, I was selected for the Zambian Orphan Choir under World Hope International. We were invited to go to the Wesleyan General Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Hope for Children Sponsorship
When we came back from the United States, I continued in school with the help of a Hope for Children sponsor. This helped me so much since the resident missionary had left the field. When the twelfth grade examination results came out, I qualified for the University of Zambia. Hope for children continued sponsoring me and in 2008, I went to college at Evelyn Hone College. I studied Science Laboratory Technology. I completed the course in 2010 and was awarded a diploma in Science Laboratory Technology. The sponsorship from Hope for Children really enabled me to complete both high school and college.
My Job Title
In May 2012, I joined Southern Water and Sewerage Company Limited as Assistant Laboratory Technician. In June 2013, I was promoted to Regional Chemist. In 2014, my job title was changed to Water Quality Assurance Officer. I’m responsible for the monitoring of the quality of both potable water and of sewerage effluents to ensure that they meet National Water Supply and Sanitation Council (NWASCO), Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) and World Health Organization (WHO) standards.
Recently, when we had an outbreak of cholera in Lusaka, I moved from town to town in the Southern Province testing the water to ensure that people’s lives were safe.
The Engineering Institute of Zambia (EIZ) registered me as a Full Technologist. Once I am done (with my degree) I will be registered as Public Health Scientist. I am currently a member of Zambia National Laboratory Association and Public Health Association of Zambia.
My desire has always been to serve in the medical field, but I need more education. I am currently working on a Bachelor of Science in Public Health at the University of Lusaka. I was scheduled to complete my degree by June 2018 but due to lack of funds at times, I have been doing Programme Deferments for some semesters. This means that I will only be able to complete this degree program in December 2019, if the needed resources are available. Challenges I currently face include funds for tuition fees, a laptop, projector, and funds to do a research project. This year I will have to submit a research proposal and once approved, the research has to start. I would like to do a Masters of Science in Public Health (MPH) program once I am done with my B.S. My family would appreciate your prayers as we seek the Lord’s face and consider options for school.
My Lovely Family
Purity and I got married on 2nd May 2015. God has blessed us with a daughter named Lushomo (Faith). She is now almost 2. Her presence is really a blessing in my life.
Purity completed her diploma in education at George Benson Christian College of Education in October 2016. She is still waiting for the Government to employ her. This has made me to fail even to pay tuition fees at University because we depend on one salary.
Involvement as a Lay Person in Church
Shampande Pilgrim Wesleyan Church is the church we fellowship with. I teach adult Sunday school, youth Sunday school; occasionally I lead worship, interpret, and preach. I would like to join the praise team, but I am currently unable due to the high responsibility I have at work. I serve on the District Board of Administration as District Youth Director.
Prayer Requests
Please pray with us that the Lord will give us clear direction and provision us as we seek His face for our lives as a family.
Pray for my wife’s employment.
Pray that the Lord will help me find sponsorship for the Bachelors I am currently doing and Masters programmes to be done later.
Pray for the Pilgrim Wesleyan Church in Zambia. That God will strengthen and encourage us leaders and that the church will continue to grow and to make a difference to communities that have not heard the gospel about Jesus Christ!
*Peer Educators were trained to talk with other peers regarding HIV prevention and to dispel misconceptions about transmission,etc.
If you’ve sponsored a child in a developing country and wondered if you were really making a difference, Fredrick is proof that sponsorships work in helping children develop their potential and have hope of a brighter future. At World Hope International, our goal was to assist children in getting a Christian education so that as they grew up and developed their potential, they would become leaders in their churches and communities. Fredrick has certainly fulfilled these goals. As have many others whose stories I could share.