The delegation from NZUC and Copperbelt Conference which made the donation in Ndola. Photo courtesy of Richard Bulaya
The Seventh-day Adventist Church (SDA) in Zambia has donated K290,000 (Kwacha) towards the fight against the pandemic. The two governing entities of the SDA Church in the country; the South Zambia Union Conference (SZUC) and the North Zambia Union Conference (NZUC) have made K160,000 and K100,000 cheque contributions respectively and a third contribution of K30,000 has come from the Midlands East Conference (MEC). MEC is one of the conferences and fields which falls under NZUC.
In a live televised donation on the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) TV1, SZUC President Dr. Harrington Akombwa handed over a proof of payment amounting to K160,000 to the Health Minister Dr. Chitalu Chilufya. This was during the daily update on the Coronavirus situation by the Minister of Health at Ndeke House in Lusaka. Dr. Akombwa said the church was making the contribution in appreciation of the great work done by the government so far to fight COVID 19. “We make this contribution in appreciation of the work you as Minister have done and the efforts made by His Excellency the President Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu towards the fight against the pandemic. In handing over these documents, the money has already hit your account,” said Dr. Akombwa.
Simultaneously, NZUC President Samuel Sinyangwe also handed over an assortment of items to Copperbelt Minister Japhen Mwakalombe in Ndola. The items, all valued at K100,000, include 50 litres of sanitiser, 160 bottles of liquid soap, 24 bottles of Dettol, one electric kettle, one water dispenser, 30 reflector vests, fuel worth K23,385 and four boxes of barrier tape. The donated items will be critical in helping frontline health personnel who are taking care of two Corona Virus patients who are being treated at an isolation centre in Masaiti District. Pastor Sinyangwe said the SDA Church made the move after realising that the community is being ravaged by the pandemic.“We are with the government and the people of Zambia in fighting COVID 19, not with weapons but with fervent prayer and acts of kindness,” said Pastor Sinyangwe. He added that the church will continue offering solidarity to the government. “Honourable Minister we want to assure His Excellency the Republican President, his Cabinet and your Provincial Administration that our God in Heaven will give us resounding victory over this pandemic and we will emerge stronger and more united as a country,” said Pastor Sinyangwe.”
Among those who witnessed the donation were Ndola Town Clerk Wisdom Bwalya, Ndola Teaching Hospital Senior Medical Superintendent Dr. Joseph Musowoya, and other senior government officials. From the church, senior figures included NZUC Health Ministries Director Dr. Mwate Mwambazi, Copperbelt Conference President Kerries Liambai, Executive Secretary Angel Chipulu, Youth Director Mubika Chibwabwa and some youth representatives. Zambia has so far recorded 40 Corona Virus cases leading to two deaths. 38 other patients were hospitalised in Chilanga and Masaiti Districts. According to the latest update by the Minister of Health, 25 people have so far recovered and have been discharged while 13 are still being treated.
By Paul Shalala
