ZAMBIA: ZEC RESCUES ABUSED ORPHANED AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN IN MONZE DIOCESE
The Health Desk of Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) has rescued some orphaned and venerable children in Monze Diocese who were being abused by adults in small shelters they have been lodging as they go to school.
The girls are among the 20 Orphaned and Vulnerable Children (OVCs) that have since been accommodated at the Catholic Church run City of Joy in Mazabuka town. ZEC Coordinator of the project Sister Matildah Mubanga, DOR who confirmed the development said that some girls are double orphaned, vulnerable and were renting small shelters in villages as they went to school and that exposed them to abuse.
Sr. Mubanga added that World Vision Zambia, through the Empowerment, Respect and Equality Project (ERE) has since started supporting them in school.
“These Children come from disadvantaged families and were suffering in the community. It was not safe for them because they were renting in small shelters in villages as they go to school” She said.
“The girls that were abused are now being counseled, and where they are now is a good place because they will be disciplined and raised with good morals. They shall be responsible girls” Sr. Mubanga.
The City of Joy OVC Coordinator Sister Marie-Clair Mwenya, FMA indicated that the project so far is working well. “This programme is working very well in helping girls with education in colleges and secondary schools. Without it, it could have been difficult for them to finish school. And we do not segregate since many of these girls are even not Catholics” She noted.
By Mwenya Mukuka, ZEC Communications Officer
