On 20 February 2024 Sunrise Africa Relief Country Representative Rev. Lawrence Banda and Joseph Kasoma took a trip to Eastern Province of Zambia – their destination: Petauke and Lusangazi districts. The purpose of the trip was to make donations for the construction of a Youth Education Centre in Petauke district in Nyanpande area and construction of a Maternity Annex in Lusangazi District in Sandwe’s Makale Health Post.

NYANPANDE DONATION OF THE CONSTRUCTION YOUTH EDUCATION CENTRE

In Petauke district which is about 409 kilometres from Lusaka they set off at 06:00 and arrived at 12:00. Two hours later – after some refreshments – they started off on their tour of duty and drove to Nyampande Village. They were welcomed by Family Federation for World Peace Nyampande Community Committee Members. Despite the hot and dry day, there was joy in the atmosphere as three women of the committee members took to the stage and sang two songs to welcome the visitors. Everyone seemed happy forgetting the drought that has engulfed half of the southern, central and eastern spheres of the country.

After the songs the Chairperson welcomed the entourage and thanked the committee members for responding to their call almost immediately. He said a lot has happened in terms of advancing the construction of the Youth Centre. He said the committee came up with the quotations and budget of the construction which they sent to Sunrise Africa Relief in Lusaka, then to the UK for approval. He then asked Sunrise Africa Relief Country Representatives in Zambia Rev. Lawrence Banda to speak to the FFWPU Nyampande Community Committee Members.

In his speech Rev. Banda said that the projects that are being undertaken are for the future benefit of the families and communities of Nyampande Village and not for those from Lusaka. He said that they are only middlemen between Nyampande and the sponsors of the projects. He then asked the Committee Members for a commitment to protect the projects because it was for their own children. He encouraged the committee to work hard and achieve the intended goals so that when Rev. Williamson arrives in June he will be happy and make more donations.

He then presented a donation of K50, 000 towards the construction of the Youth Centre in the village where various undertaking of activities will be implemented.

The Nyampande Community Committee members Coordinator said it was encouraging to see the love that Rev. Williamson has shown towards the people of Nyampande despite many not knowing him fully. He then discussed the budget and quotation of the construction of the Youth Centre. He said originally they budgeted for K48, 000 however this was made without pricing the roofing sheets. Instead of donating K48, 000, Rev. Robert Williamson donated K50, 000.

The Village Headman where the Youth Centre will be constructed also said that it was unbelievable that Sunrise Africa Relief could respond in such a quick time. He said such kind of love is very rare especially that the one making these efforts is not among our tribesmen but someone from outside. He said, “From today henceforth he is our tribesman.”
After the speeches the Chairperson asked Rev Banda together with the Committee Members to go to the site where the Youth Centre will constructed. At the site, Rev Banda saw how the borehole was mounted and how a small house was constructed around it. They were then shown a cleared area where the Youth Centre will be constructed. It was a delightful moment at the site as the women sang songs of praise to Sunrise Africa Relief and FFWPU. The occasion was then joined by some of the community members who sang songs of praise together. By 16:50 the event came to an end. The duo went back to the base in Petauke.

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MAKALE HEALTH POST DONATION ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF A MATERNITY ANNEX
The following day Rev. Banda and Joseph Kasoma started off on a journey of 47.9 kilometres from Petauke district to Lusangazi district to make a donation towards the construction of a Labour ward for Makale Health Post.

At the health centre the delegates were welcomed by Family Federation for World Peace and Unification Makale Committee Member’s Chairperson and his committee members. Makale Health Post’s Centre in Charge, Mrs Martha Siachande was also at hand to give a thunderous welcome. Rev. Banda and his entourage were ushered into the Sister-in-Charge office and later joined by the FFWPU Makale Committee Members.

After welcoming the delegates Rev Banda immediately said that the last time Sunrise Africa Relief delegates visited the clinic, Rev. Williamson asked what immediate challenges the clinic faced. The Clinic Official responded indicating that the most needed facility was the maternity wing. Rev Williamson donated a sum of K20, 000 instantly and asked them to start making the necessary foundation. Rev. Banda said, it was as result of that, that Sunrise Africa Relief, Director sent Rev. Banda and Joseph Kasoma to make a donation of K50, 000 towards the maternity ward.
He then presented the donation which was received by the head of the Clinical Officer and FFWPU Makale Community’s Committee Members. He told them to work together as one unit. He said to achieve anything you needed to work together as one: “If there is no unity it is difficult to achieve the intended goal.” He added that everyone should be involved, including the women and the youth in the community. He sighted how FFWPU Nyampande Committee as one of the most united force. Rev. Banda said the clinic’s Labour ward was not for Rev. Williamson and his family nor is it for Rev. Banda and his family, but for the women and the community of Makale village and beyond.

The Chairperson said he was happy for the donation made by Sunrise Africa Relief U.K. He said it is disheartening when visiting the clinic to be hearing women on labour and all that was taking place at a small room which is shared with other patients both male and female. He said that they had already started the foundation of the Maternity Annex, building according to the government guidelines.

The Sister-in-Charge Mrs. Martha Siachande said the donation made towards the construction of the Maternity Annex is a game changer for the clinic, the women and the community of Makale. She said it will bring dignity to the women and pride during delivery. She said she was delighted to have witnessed the donation as the In- Charge.

The entourage were then asked to go and see the foundation of the Maternity Wing Annex. It was such an amazing occasion and Rev. Banda was happy to see the foundation already in place. He further asked the committee to consider applying for Constituency Development Fund (CDF) within the constituency through the area councillor. He suggested that he shall to talk to Chief Sandwe to push for CDF for the clinic.

The occasion that started at 12:34 PM then ended at 14:08 PM. The entourage bid farewell after a closing prayer and started off back to Petauke district.

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Read the recent report here.

At the end of September 2022 Sunrise Africa Relief gave a donation of £800 to help with the Pakistan flood relief.

Two trucks carrying food parcels visited various districts in need. Hundreds of families are affected in the rural areas due to flood waters causing complete devastation, forcing families to flee their homes and sleep in the open.

A total of 70 parcels were made from the £800 with each parcel costing Rs.3065 and were delivered in DG Khan (Dera Ghazi Khan, abbreviated as D.G. Khan, is a city in the southwestern part of Punjab, Pakistan. It is the 19th largest city of Pakistan by population.  Lying west of the Indus River, its inhabitants are mostly Saraikis and Baloch. It is the headquarters of Dera Ghazi Khan District and Dera Ghazi Khan Division).

Distributions also took part in the areas of Rajanpur, Jampur and Afzalpur.

Each parcel was made up of:

• Rice
• Lentils
• Flour
• Teabags
• Sugar
• Washing bar for clothes hand soap
• Salt
• Chilli powders
• Cooking oil
• Matchboxes

These items were truly appreciated by the local people as they were in desperate need.

“There was great appreciation of the donation which clearly shows that Sunrise Africa Relief will reach out to any disaster to assist them in whichever way they can and thank you again from myself and the team in Pakistan who made this happen to help these people in desperate times” Mr Ahmed the local coordinator.

Sunrise Africa Relief would like to thank our donors for contributions to make this support possible.

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DATE: May 6, 2022
PURPOSE: Donation of Reusable Sanitary Towels/Pads for the Girls
VENUE: Kaseba Primary School
DISTRICT: Kafue
COUNTRY: ZAMBIA

Friday, May 6, 2022, was an exciting day for the pupils, especially the girls, at Kaseba Primary School in the town of Kafue in Zambia. Male pupils from Kaseba Primary School were also present to witness their fellow female counterparts’ memorable day, parents were invited, too, for this special occasion.

Apart from the National Police Aid Convoys (NPAC) charity, the main organizer of the event, and Sunrise Africa Relief (SAR), the main donor of the event, there were other working partners in attendance. The guest of honour was a representative of the Minister of Education and until she and her entourage arrived, the pupils entertained everyone with cultural songs and dances as well as gospel songs and poems.

Proceedings officially started at midday when the event’s director asked Mr. Mwale to open the occasion with a prayer. Thereafter, the manager of the school gave opening remarks and housekeeping. He thanked everyone who was present for coming and asked all to stay until the end of the program.

The first speaker was the chairperson and founder of NPAC, Mrs. Marion Tasker, who lives in United Kingdom and came to Zambia specifically for this occasion. Mrs. Tasker said that the girls have been at a disadvantage because their learning was regularly interrupted by their menstrual periods which kept them at home, away from school and through this, the boys could advance academically. Therefore, the provision of the much more economical, reusable sanitary pads is a booster to the girls’ education and will boost their confidence.

The next speech was delivered by Rev. Banda on behalf of Mr. Robert Williamson, the co-founder of Sunrise Africa Relief. Mr. Williamson highlighted the historical background, vision, and objectives of the charity – seeking for a world of peace and social justice, self-reliance, and equal opportunities for all. He said Sunrise Africa Relief was confident that the donation will help the young girls attend classes without interruptions and in that way give them an equal opportunity to attain high levels of education and a chance for a better and brighter future.

Mr. Williamson gave special recognition to his son Stephan who inspired some of his friends to do a bicycle challenge to raise money for the charity. The goal was to cycle 10,000 kilometers during the year of 2021. 12 young men managed this cruelling challenge and encouraged people along the way to donate money, so this and other projects in Africa can be sponsored.
The third speaker was the headteacher of Kaseba Primary School, who expressed that the examination classes of the school have been performing extremely well in the past, and he thanked all those who support the school. He mentioned some of the challenges the school is still facing, like the use of pit latrines, the erratic water supply, and the susceptibility to theft due to the location.

The last speech was delivered by the representative of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Mrs. Sipeso, who thanked the working partners for the support they have given to the girls, so the gap between boys and girls education could be diminished. Girls are often isolated when school programs are going on and, in the past, often had to stay at home, but now, here at Kaseba School with this generous donation of washable pads, things will change. She turned to the girls and told them that they should attend school today and every day and by doing that, they will be able to contribute to society tomorrow. Mrs. Sipeso went on and encouraged the girls to be responsible in using the pads and maintaining them. She said she was happy that the parents were invited to the event and encouraged them to support their children to enhance their education by staying on at school to enable them to achieve great things in their lives.

The final vote of thanks was given by Marian Nyirenda who expressed that the hampers of pads that were donated will improve the girls’ school attendance, will bring confidence, and improve their performance. She thanked specifically NPAC chairperson, Mrs. Marion Tasker, for organizing the event and Mr. Robert Williamson, co-founder of Sunrise Africa Relief, for the donation. She ended with the common phrase “Educate the girls and empower the nation.”

To close the day a poem “SANITARY TOWELS ARE AN EQUALIZER” was performed by six schoolgirls to show their appreciation to NPAC and Sunrise Africa Relief for their valuable support.

Sunrise Africa Relief Delegates:
1. Rev. Lawrence Banda
2. Mrs. Annabel Banda
3. Mr. Ackson Mwale
4. Mrs. Anna Mwale
5. Mrs. Jaqueline Mutewa
6. Mrs. Kanta
7. Mr. Fabrice Djimadou
8. Mr. Joseph Kasoma

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Sunrise Africa Relief was very happy to support the Women’s Federation for World Peace in their community service project in Airdrie Scotland on the 20th of April 2022.

The grant of £120 helped towards the purchase of plants and supplies on the day.

The WFWP representatives repainted the outdoor sun lounger and replanted the front flower beds at the Retirement Home, Gartlea Gardens, Airdrie.

The whole project was well received by management and the residents.
Sunrise Africa Relief looks forward to partner with WFWP Scotland on future projects both here in Scotland and Africa.

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One of our Trustees Robert Williamson would like to thank all the cyclists who fundraised for the charity during the year of 2021.