The Story of Nissi Community
The community of Nissi sits on the edge of the town of Kapiri Mposhi and is a place that many people pass through daily. This transient community faces high levels of prostitution when desperate families have no other choice of employment to find food. Much of the land in Nissi has been sold, leaving local people with very little land from which to produce their own crops. In turn, because food must travel a far distance from other communities, prices in the markets are steadily increasing and becoming out of reach for the most vulnerable families.
50 Children currently supported
20 Care Workers Coordinated by Mary
Basic Services Started in 2010
56 KM from the Kabwe Local Office
Ever since community schools were transformed into government schools, many children now face an uncertain future with no education because the cost of school fees is unattainable. With a lack of employment and a serious shortage of food, early marriages and teenage pregnancies are common. Men often flee Nissi in search of work in the city, leaving boys without positive male role models. Without positive role models, young boys resort to stealing in order to purchase alcohol and drugs. Compounding all of these challenges is the lack of medication in Nissi, despite the many clinics that exist.
Thankfully, there is a group of dedicated volunteer Care Workers who want to bring the hope of Christ to the people living in Nissi. United as Care Workers, they formed the Nissi Community Based Organisation (CBO), desiring to provide life-giving services as well and parental love and care to the most vulnerable children. In 2010, the Nissi CBO, partnering with Hands at Work, began serving 20 children, ensuring that they received a hot, nutritious meal daily - a number that has since increased to 100 children.
Within Nissi there are three Care Points operating under the umbrella of the Nissi CBO – two of which were only started in the last few years. The purpose of having multiple Care Points is to limit the distance that the children have to travel to them from their homes.
In August 2020, a new secure toilet was built at the main Care Point location alongside a new cooking structure. The Nissi CBO was grateful to have been given this space by a local Bishop who understands the vision and need to serve the children within the community. Though there are many more vulnerable children in this area, the Care Workers are determined to continue their work in serving these children and uniting them together.
The local Hands at Work team in Kabwe currently supports six Community Based Organisations, which exist to care for the most vulnerable in their communities. The office provides training, networking, and encouragement to those Community Based Organisations like Nissi. It also gives administrative support, including helping with funding proposals, monitoring and evaluation, bookkeeping and reporting to donors.
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