Newsletter 2024:

Hello from Malambo Grassroots! As we look ahead to 2025 we’d like to pause for a moment to share our journey with you. We’re so grateful for your steadfast support through the challenges and successes of 2024. We invite you to celebrate the impact of your generosity and consider joining us again to bring opportunity and change to the communities we serve. Here are a few highlights from 2024.
 

Last year, Malambo Grassroots covered the tuition for 60 vulnerable students to attend St. Vincent de Paul school in Monze.
 
Successes in times of hardship
In 2024, Zambia faced the worst drought since 1992, leaving small-scale farmers struggling with crop failures and severe food shortages. This has been devastating for many and has impacted the ability of farmers to sustain themselves and their families. In addition, towns and cities have faced electricity cuts up to 45 out of every 48 hours, further crippling essential services and disrupting daily life.
 
For many children, hunger has forced them out of school in order to forage for food. In response, Malambo Grassroots launched a school food program in July that has nourished approximately 3,000 children across five schools. 
 
Our dream is to continue this successful school food program until harvest time in February, so that these 3,000 children will keep coming back to school. We will provide essential school supplies at the beginning of the semester. 

Students greet our food deliveries with shouts of joy.
 

“As Mutiti Community School, we are very grateful for the good gesture shown by Malambo Grassroots. We shall ensure that all these materials are put to good use, and they will be very beneficial, especially to the vulnerable. The food stuff donations are already making a positive impact. The daily attendance has improved greatly, and there are also cases of some learners that had previously dropped out of school, and have since returned. Thank you Malambo, we really appreciate.” — Mr. Benjamin Sakala, head teacher
 
Reconnecting with our roots
In April and May, Malambo Grassroots volunteers Jocelyn and Toni traveled to Zambia to reconnect with local partners, old friends, former scholarship recipients, teachers, students, and community members. 
 
Wherever Jocelyn and Toni went, they asked questions. What do people need? What challenges are they facing? Do they have any ideas for solutions? 
 
Everyone was delighted to share. Again and again, our partners asked for more education on climate change, drought cycles, and sustainable practices. We saw and heard great support for our tree-planting program, and repeated requests to expand its scope.
 
We plan to answer this call in two ways: to reinvigorate our scholarship program, and to expand the community training sessions connected to our tree-planting program.
 

We have started an ambitious program in Chief Mwaanza’s chieftaincy that pairs tree planting with regular educational sessions in agroecology led by experts. This is in response to overwhelming demand from schools and communities.
 
Education is key to a brighter future
Our long-time partner, Sr Lontia, introduced us to Gracious Muleya, a young woman who came to St. Vincent de Paul school looking for casual labour. Gracious had completed the first year of a three-year nursing program and faced the possibility of not being able to complete her studies. Sister Lontia pointed out that if Gracious could board at the college, she would be safer and have more time for studying.
 
Thankfully, a long-time supporter stepped forward with a generous donation to cover her second year. Gracious has just completed a practicum and is now studying for her mid-year exams.
 

We will support Gracious through her final year (July 2025–July 2026) so that this promising young woman can graduate.
 
Over the years, we have supported SO MANY students through high school, skills training programs, and college or university programs. We have seen young Zambians, armed with an education or training, create meaningful lives for themselves. And we hear many stories of our scholarship students paying it forward by helping extended family.
 
COVID disrupted our scholarship program, and we would love to revive it. For children to see someone just like them become a successful community leader makes a huge impact. As our past scholarship students find their feet and flourish, we have started to see this ripple effect happen.

Our graduates from 2024 (left to right): John Banda is now an accountant, Mutinta Musanka is a police officer, and Kennedy Bwalya is a teacher. We supported John and Mutinta through primary and secondary school at St. Vincent de Paul school, and Kennedy through his final semester of teacher training. A little support goes a long way!

St. Vincent de Paul school upgrades
Under the exceptional leadership of head teacher Sr. Lontia Siakalambwa, St. Vincent de Paul school continues to expand and flourish, delivering a high-quality education that consistently yields outstanding national exam results compared to other schools in Zambia.
 
We support their efforts each year through scholarships for their most vulnerable students. For the second year, we also provided essential toiletries for their Grade 10 girls so that they may stay in classes throughout their full monthly cycle. Scholarships and keeping girls in schools will continue to be a priority in 2025. 
 
Malambo Grassroots also helps the school with infrastructure and maintenance needs each year. In 2024, the assembly hall was upgraded so that it may be rented out for events. This provides an additional revenue stream for the school.

Looking ahead, the school will need to repair or replace their large metal water tank, which has developed significant leaks. They will also fully outfit one classroom as a science lab, and another classroom as a home economics room. These classrooms are necessary for the school to meet the requirements of Zambia’s new curriculum (2023) that mandates science, technology, and home economics classes for Grades 8 and 9.
 
Looking to the future
In spite of unimaginable hardship, the communities we serve are looking for ways to effect deep and lasting changes to the complex problems resulting from climate change and poverty.
 
Thanks to generous supporters like you, we’ve managed to do more in 2024 than we could have imagined. We feel so very fortunate to partner with some of the best people in the world – like you, our donors. And the many teachers, children, head men, and ordinary Zambians who collaborate with us in creating everyday miracles.
 
Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any comments or questions. We love hearing from our supporters!

With heartfelt thanks,Jocelyn, Toni, Heidi, Sarah, and Rabson

Newsletter 2023:


Hello from Malambo Grassroots! As we wind up another year of busy activities, we wanted to take a moment to say hello, share updates and say thanks. Read on for more…

GROWING STRONGER
Our tree-planting programme is in its fourth year and going strong. In early 2023, 1350 tree seedlings were distributed and planted in villages and schools in the Monze district.

We get requests for fruit trees more than any other. “We want an orchard,” is a common request. Not only do fruit trees provide food, they can also become a source of income for a school or community. This year, we experimented with starting small orchards at three sites that have good water sources and a proven track record. So 50 fruit tree seedlings were delivered to St. Vincent de Paul school, Namakube school, and Chief Mwaanza’s village. Oranges, lemons, two varieties of mangoes, a local fruit called nchenge, tamarind, avocadoes, guavas, and papayas were planted. If this initial batch of seedlings thrive, then we will consider expanding these orchards, or even starting orchards in other communities.

As well, we’re talking to communities about the many benefits of non-fruit trees, either indigenous or non-invasive introduced trees. These can provide shade for crops (or humans!), fodder for animals, green manure for crops, or fix nitrogen for the soil.

SITE VISITS
 A major component of our tree-planting programme is community education. Our team gives workshops on the best ways to plant and protect seedlings; the links between climate change, drought, and trees; the benefits of indigenous trees and diet. We also follow up to see how well the seedlings are faring.

 In April and May, our volunteer Rabson visited the 15 sites that have received seedlings since 2020 to see how well the trees were faring. The information gathered on these check-up visits helps us to refine our strategy, find solutions (wandering cows and hungry goats are common complaints), and encourage dialogue with communities.

Goat-proofed seedlings, Mutiti village, Zambia, March 2023. This seedling was planted in 2020.

JAN’S TREES
 

Now it is December, with the rainy season on the horizon, and we’re launching a special project. “Jan’s Trees” is a tree-planting project in memory of Jan Johnston, a long-time Rose Charities supporter and tireless campaigner for old-growth forests in Canada. As a tribute to Jan’s Rose and forest legacies, we will be planting in seven sites. A small number of baobabs will also be planted, which symbolize strength, longevity, and the source of all life. Funds for 671 seedlings were sent in late November. We’re looking forward to seeing Jan’s trees grow and flourish in the coming years.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES
 For many years, elementary schooling was free to Zambians, but after grade 7, students had to pay fees. This made a high school education inaccessible to many families. Now the government, led by Hachainde Hichilema (known as HH or Bally) has eliminated these fees. Schools are experiencing a surge in enrolment. Many schools we work with have 600–900 students, with as many as 75 or 100 students per class.

 Parents must still provide materials such as books, paper, pencils, etc. We are thrilled with the government’s commitment to strengthening its educational system and want to support however we can. In May and June, we delivered supplies to six different schools: textbooks, pencils, blue pens, flip chart paper, markers, chalk, and red pens. There is so much more we could do.

 The government has also committed to repairing or replacing broken desks. The need for desks is great and the task of rolling out this programme is huge. We would like to continue supporting the government’s work. This might mean buying supplies, or finding appropriate teaching aids such as charts and posters, which are especially helpful for visual learners.
 
Classes are a lot more engaging with materials to use. Students from Miyoba Elementary show off their new supplies.

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SCHOOL
 
For many years now, we’ve partnered with the St. Vincent de Paul, an independently-run school in Monze. While their needs have changed over the years, their commitment to providing a good education remains the same. As in previous years, we covered fees for their most vulnerable students, 40 children in pre-school to Grade 7, and 16 girls in Grades 8 to 10.

To help the older girls stay in school, we also covered the cost of shoes, books, and toiletries. Without things like soap and sanitary supplies, these girls would have to miss one week of school every month. The school also built an incinerator to properly dispose of sanitary pads.

The lunch provided by the school is often the only meal many of their students eat in a day. If the school runs out of firewood or ingredients, attendance drops sharply. We were able to help out with the cost of firewood and a few basics such as maize, sugar, salt, peanuts, and cooking oil.

Finally, the school renovated their security fence and gates. In a country where need is great, security walls are a necessity to protect the school’s food, books, and other supplies.

A NEW GRADUATE
In January, we got a special request from Sr. Lontia, our long-time partner and head teacher at St. Vincent de Paul. She told us about Kennedy Rahim Bwalya, a young man who had finished most of a teaching degree, but was unable to pay for his final year. We agreed to help with this final step, and we’re so glad we did. After completing his studies, Kennedy did a practicum at St. Vincent.
Here is a recent message from Kennedy:
 “I am one of the beneficiaries you have been helping. I am writing this to express my deepest gratitude for sponsoring my education, I am thrilled and honoured to be selected as a recipient of your generosity. Your support has given me the opportunity to pursue my educational goals without any financial burden.
“Your sponsorship has not only provided me with the necessary funds to continue my education but also given me the confidence and motivation to strive for excellence. The knowledge and skills I am gaining from my education will have a profound impact on my future, and I am excited to put them to use in my career.
“I promise to work hard and dedicate myself to my studies so that I can make the most of this opportunity. I will do my best to represent your generosity with the utmost respect and gratitude.
“Once again, thank you for your support and investment in my education. Your contribution will make a significant difference in my life, and I am truly grateful for it.
“Sincerely,
“Kennedy Rahim Bwalya”

This December, Kennedy will write his final exams before graduating. We wish him the very best in his teaching career.

OTHER PROJECTS

Solar:
 What do you do when you have no source of electricity? Most rural areas in Zambia don’t have electricity and rely on wood or charcoal for fuel. In addition to tree planting, another environmental initiative has been providing solar energy. In March, 13 solar kits were delivered and installed in Mujigga village to those who are unable to participate in a microloan programme. The lights provide security and a healthier option to expensive candles or lamps made from diesel- or kerosene-filled glass jars, which are commonly used. Solar kits also lower the demand on tree cutting for fuel.

 LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
We wish you all the very best of the season and for the new year. None of these projects would have been possible without the continued—and miraculous—support you, our donors, and Rose Charities as a partner, have given us. We continue to be eternally grateful for your interest and enthusiasm and engagement. We look forward to building on our strengths and learning from our experiments to create more resilient communities in this one, very special, corner of the world.
— Jocelyn, Toni, Heidi, and Sarah

 

Newsletter 2022:



Hello from Malambo Grassroots! While the leaves are falling and we head towards winter, Zambia is getting ready for their hot, rainy season. Read on to see what sunny weather, rain, and busy schools have kept us up to!
Schools

We are now working with six schools in the Monze district, from providing COVID supplies to long-term relationships of scholarships and overall school support. One of the schools we have worked with the longest is St. Vincent de Paul, run by the wonderful Sr. Lontia. This year St. Vincent’s was able to put in a new water tank after the old one began to leak and couldn’t be repaired, as well as a new home economics building thanks to your support, and the hard work of our on-the-ground team in Zambia.


Another school that we started working with this year is Sintemba Primary School. The school came to our attention when we learned that their roof had blown off in a storm. Knowing that children would not be able to attend school in the heavy rains, we were so pleased we could help! The community contributed the labour, we contributed roofing materials, and the new roof was completed in less than six weeks. We’ve also been able to contribute tree seedlings and school supplies.




 
In February, St.Vincent’s received a thank you letter from a former scholarship student, Chabota Malambo. Chabota graduated from Grade 12 at the end of 2021, and did very well on his final exams. He says: “I would like to say thanks to you St. Vincent for the support you gave me during the years I was doing my primary and secondary education…After writing my grade 7 final examinations at St. Vincent school, you didn’t want us to just go to the streets. You gave me and my friends a bursary that taught us many things and academically it was positive. The results came and I made it with flying colors. I was selected at Manungu Secondary School where I did my grade 8-12. You never gave up on us, you supported me…”


We’ve also been fortunate to work with Namakube Primary and Secondary School –a rural school, down a long and rough dirt road. The school has about 700 students, from Grades 1 – 9, with an average of 70 students per class and teacher. Over the past year, we delivered tree seedlings, school supplies, and provided a donation that they used to refurbish 24 two-seater desks. Their long-range (and big ticket) goals are to build more staff housing and student toilets — especially ablution blocks for older girls. We would like to continue working with them to reach these goals eventually.





We are so fortunate to have been able to support many amazing students over the years through education scholarships at St. Vincent de Paul. In the future, we would like to be able to offer more scholarships, with focus on female students. Girls must overcome many obstacles to completing their education due to poverty, poor infrastructure, and cultural expectations. Better educated women are more likely to earn an income, have fewer children, and pass on the value of education to their own children. The benefits of educating girls reaches further than to the individual; it lifts households, communities, and countries out of poverty.
 
Malambo Women’s Group


February marked 20 years since the official opening ceremony of the Malambo Centre on Moorings farm. The centre was built for the Malambo Women’s Group, which was our original project. The women embroider and sew beautiful products and sell them locally to a craft store, the Lusaka Collective, in the capital city. The women’s group has been self-sustaining and self-governing for many years now, which is our definition of success! Our goal at Malambo Grassroots is to empower local people and foster independence.

Tree Planting


Tree planting is important to the villages to replace trees that have been cut down for charcoal, as well as providing a food source—either for consumption or for sale, which creates a means of income. The trees provide shade for people and cattle, and the leaves and seed pods from the trees are also a food source for the cattle. The rains were good in January which gave our tree seedlings a good start. Rabson, one of our local volunteers, has continued this great project. As of June 2022, we have planted 3750 seedlings! The demand is growing as more and more of the communities are realizing the benefits of this grassroots project!

Solar Panels


Bendictor and Rabson, our solar experts, have been busy installing 30 solar panel kits in the Monze district. Kits include a panel, battery pack, and specially designed lights. The kit can power lights, phone charger, fan, or radio. The program was started as a microloan project but Malambo Grassroots covers the cost for those who are unable to pay back the loan, such as seniors. These villagers live far away from accessible forms of electricity and must rely on wood fuel, which contributes to deforestation. Many also use diesel or kerosene lamps which give a poor light and create unhealthy smoke. Support for the solar panels will be an ongoing need as the bulbs, though rechargeable, last three to four months. We’re so thankful that our donors have provided the funding for these kits. Light and communication will make a difference in many lives.

Individual Projects



We hope to continue our current projects and support individual requests such as one we received from Yvone Ndaba. We provided funding to set up a chicken business, as well as tree seedlings.

Yvone used to work at Chikuni Cultural Centre and now lives in Monze and supports several older women who moved with her. Most of the tree seedlings are medicinal trees which will provide and medicine. Yvone also teaches young girls about Tonga traditions, such as medicines and dancing, so she uses the trees as a teaching tool. With the income from the chicken business, Yvone and the women were able to buy tin roofs for their homes.

We welcome the opportunity to support such projects as the benefits extend far beyond the individual!

Ngoma Dolce Music Academy

It has been over a decade since we partnered with the Ngoma Dolce Music Academy, supplying musical instruments, instruction, and music scholarships. This year, NDMA are embarking on a new program called Music for Life, that looks toward the El Sistema program for guidance. The Academy will identify at risk adolescent girls and young women in nearby communities offering mentorship through music alongside life skills. This holistic approach will provide an environment that supports everything from income generation to further educational opportunities while nurturing students through weekly music lessons and music education all within the safe harbour of the academy. We look forward to the music scholarship program being a small part of this new wonderful initiative.

In Memory

On a more sombre note, we lost a friend and one of Malambo’s founders this year. The lives of both were honoured, in part, with memorial fundraisers. With the funds raised by their friends and family, we delivered school supplies to the six schools we support.


In April, Betty Wilkinson lost her daughter, Bridgette Allingham, who passed away suddenly. Bridgette, and her sister Natalie, grew up in Zambia and loved the country. We are enormously honoured and grateful for the generosity of those who love and mourn Bridgette.


One of our founders, Marylee Banyard, passed away in May. In 1993, Marylee started a sewing club with Omega Nyanja and other women living on Moorings farm near Monze. A few years later, she retired from her teaching job and for the next 14 years, returned to Zambia for six months each year to collaborate with the women. She and her daughter, Jocelyn Banyard, then supported the Malambu Basic school, St Vincent de Paul school, and many other community projects. She firmly believed that Zambians can find their own solutions, and that her role was to be a facilitator, advocate, and ally. She loved and respected the many Zambians she met over the years and her work gave her great joy and sense of purpose. Through her work with Malambo, she also connected with many groups in her Canadian hometown, Nelson, BC. She was a member of Nelson Grans to Grans and the Kootenay Quilters Guild. As well, she shared her experiences with the Rotary Club of Nelson and St Saviour’s Anglican Pro-Cathedral, who have generously supported us over the years. She leaves a huge hole in our lives and big shoes to fill. But her vision and insight will continue to lead us forward. Thank you Marylee for all you did for those around you –near and far.

Thank you


Our goal, as from the beginning, has been to work with locals on self-sustaining projects. Ideally, we work ourselves out of a job, so eventually our projects and recipients will no longer need our assistance. Occasionally, those we support do require emergency support, and we thank our donors who have been able to support us in times of need. Thanks to you, we’ve put a roof on a school, planted trees, shed some light, and help provide education and work for young and old! And many thanks to Rose Charities for all their assistance as well! We are continually grateful for everyone’s ongoing support, whether it be finances, messages of encouragement, or connections for supplies and ideas –endless thanks for your part in making our projects a success.

Wishing you and yours all the best for the holiday season and for a wonderful 2023!

With gratitude – Malambo Grassroots (Toni, Jocelyn, Heidi, and Sarah)
Copyright © 2022, All rights reserved.





Newsletter 2020:

Hello to all! We think about how different the world is from our last update to you, and hope all are healthy and well in these challenging times. Covid-19 is affecting us all, including our friends in Zambia. We have stories of the challenges from this past year, and also many great stories of positivity to share. Thanks to you, our donors and supporters, our programs have continued and we have good news to share! Read on for updates from Malambo Grassroots!

                   When Covid-19 hit Zambia in the summer, the predictions were worrisome. Numbers rose  rapidly, and with only 800 registered doctors for a population of 17 million, the country had a limited ability to test and treat serious cases. Our on-the-ground volunteer, Rabson Kambwali, in co-ordination with Jocelyn Banyard of Malambo Grassroots, helped protect the people in and around Monze where we are based, mobilizing early and providing much needed preventative supplies and information. Rabson’s role was, and continues to be, extremely important, given the challenging medical situation in the country.

To date, we have distributed:
·       9,000 bars of hand washing soap
·       8,000 units of hand washing liquid
·       13,000 facemasks
·       200 water buckets
·       5,000 units of hand sanitizer

The supplies have been donated to seniors, vulnerable people, clinics, schools, community churches and our local hospital. As the donations are delivered, safe practices in a village setting are discussed as well as explaining what Covid-19 is to empower the local communities.

The women we work with have sewn thousands of masks made from chitenges to distribute to those in need. We applaud and thank them for their amazing help during this difficult time.

Recently Covid-19 infections in Zambia have decreased. While it’s still too early to tell if this positive trend will continue or not, we are cautiously optimistic. However, we will continue to monitor the situation and be ready to distribute supplies if the numbers rise.

Tree Planting Initiative

The chiefs and villagers in our area are now embracing initiatives to mitigate climate change because they understand the correlation between the recurring droughts and deforestation. One of our main priorities is to support efforts to educate the community about conservation farming, drought resistant crops, the importance of tree planning, and water conservation in village and township settings.

Thanks to our wonderful donors, old and new!, in early 2020, we started planting trees in villages and around schools. Our volunteers and students planted about 1000 trees in total.

It’s time to restart tree planting so that the seedlings can benefit from the full rainy season. The news has spread—Rabson is getting a lot of requests for trees. Planting trees is an important part of our climate change action plan.

Food Security

Sub-Saharan Africa is in the midst of a particularly severe drought.  Many of those we work with had very limited access to food this year as their crops had not been able to give proper yields without rains.  Thanks to your donations, we were able to provide emergency food aid to people in the town of Monze, as well as those villages in the surrounding area. Our main focus was to supply food to seniors and school children. Rabson and Sr. Lontia were able to secure large orders of maize before the prices skyrocketed delivering to those most in need.  Once again, many villagers have exhausted their food stores, though the harvest is still months away. Seniors have already been asking for assistance so Malambo Grassroots will continue to offer food and support.

Graduations!

Our university scholars have graduated! A huge congratulations to them on their wonderful achievements:

Chimuka Ngilazi graduated with a Secondary Diploma in Religious Education, Civic Education and Guidance and Counselling at Technical Vocational Training College.  He has now been accepted into the BA program at the same school and hopes to continue his studies.

Coreen Mweetwa and Iven Moonga have both graduated with a degree in Nursing from Rusangu University.

Malambo Grassroots donors have supported all three students from start to finish.  We can’t thank our supporters enough!

Coreen writes: “…You made it possible for me to achieve this paper, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing. You supported me and made my future bright because education cannot be taken away from me….Thank you so much may God continue to bless you.”

Iven writes: “…As of yesterday 06th September 2020, we had our virtual graduation… I personally appreciate your patience andconfidence you entrusted me with that I would be able to obtain such a great achievement and make you and my family proud.  I and my family are really thankful for the lifetime empowerment of knowledge and skills which would not have been possible without your financial aid. What I have become today will remain my lifetime inheritance and support which I will always live to remember. Through the knowledge and skills imparted on me, I will be able to support my family and carry on my plans of furthering my studies.

I wish you the best even as you continue reaching out to the most financially debilitated children with the passion to learn here in Africa and elsewhere. God bless you.”

Read Iven’s Moonga’s full letter here, showing his immense gratitude to all of the Malambo Grassroots sponsors who have seen him through his degree.

Another student, Timothy Ngumbi will also be graduating this year. We have been supporting Timothy since Grade 8 shortly after we met him at St Vincent de Paul school. He is the only person in his family to have graduated from high school. Now in his third year at college, he will  complete his degree in December 2020. His studies have brought him back full circle. He is now doing his practicum at St. Vincent de Paul. They are so proud of Timothy’s accomplishments as are we!

And former student Mweemba Matongo, our first university graduate in Banking and Finance writes to let us know that he is keeping well and currently working in Lusaka for a money lending institution.

We salute all of our students and their wonderful accomplishments! Bravo to all!

St. Vincent de Paul Community School in Monze

Our special relationship with St. Vincent de Paul and head teacher Sr. Lontia continues to flourish.

At the start of the year, there were significant concerns about food security.  We sent over extra funding this year to ensure that Sr Lontia could continue to offer her students one meal a day.

Our scholarship program continues to support many current and former students of St. Vincent de Paul in elementary, secondary, and post secondary programs. This year the grade 7’s had an exceptional year with a 97% pass rate!  It’s a tribute to Sr Lontia, her wonderful faculty, and the grade 7 class!  We also had 4 scholarship students write their grade 12 exams, another significant milestone!

The chicken business had some challenges this year.  With so many rolling power outages, the school was having a hard time keeping the chickens and eggs healthy.  This income-generation project is very important in helping sustain the school so Sr. Lontia requested help to purchase solar panels.  The panels were installed in April and the chickens and eggs have been doing wonderfully since.

In exciting news, this year the school was identified by the Ministry of Education as doing well in gardening. In the spring, they received sponsorship for a green house, which was completed in early June.

With their passion for gardening, St. Vincent de Paul excitedly embraced our tree planting initiative! The school was one of Rabson’s first stops with donations of 35 tree saplings, 500 Moringa plants, and 100 lemon seed-beds!

And lastly, there is some wonderful news to share about Sr Lontia as well.  She has been accepted to do her masters in management at the Catholic University in Zambia via distance learning. Sr Lontia is such a remarkable woman and we wish her every success in this new endeavour.

Ngoma Dolce Music Academy

We continue to donate instruments and many replacement strings to the Academy!  This year we received a lovely oboe, amongst other instruments, which means we are close to donating an entire orchestra of instruments to the Academy….we are just missing harp and bassoon!

The music scholarship program continues to thrive.  We have six scholars this year studying violin, cello, piano and voice and the Academy is looking to expand the program in partnership with St Thomas’ Community School.

Ngoma Dolce had to close temporarily this year due to Covid restrictions.  They wrote to tell us that they would not have been able to re-open without your support.  For that,  the Academy and Malambo Grassroots are so grateful.  We wish them every success going forward.

Sr. Lontia and Rabson are Recognized

In response to the COVID-19 epidemic, a network of volunteers called Lusaka Helps has been spreading information and active support around Zambia. Every week, they have profiled a “Changemaker,” someone who is taking positive action against the spread of the virus. Two of Malambo Grassroots’s volunteers, Sr. Lontia Siakalambwa and Rabson Kambwali, were profiled. As well, Dr. Thea Savory, who partners with Malambo with her Dutch organization, Stichting Mwabuka, was also profiled. We are so pleased that their hard work and positive actions have been recognized by the wider community. Congratulations to all three!

Thank You

During such a challenging year for so many, we really can’t thank enough our long-term donors, many new donors, Rose Charities Canada and UK, and the Belacqua Charitable Trust. So many people this year have allowed our grassroots projects to continue to flourish.

We realize now more than ever, how supporting one another through difficult times is key to a successful future, so thank you again for being a part of it.

We’d like to invite you to visit our new website. And to stay up to date on Malambo’s daily activities through videos, images, and stories, please follow us on Facebook.

Wishing you and yours all the best for the upcoming holiday season and for a wonderful 2021.

With gratitude,
Jocelyn, Heidi, Sarah, Toni, and Marylee