COVID-19: "A generous and open act of kindness"

LWF Rapid Response Fund supports church diakonia in Zambia

(LWI) - A COVID-19 project established by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zambia (ELCZa) reaching communities in the district of Zambezi, was lauded by a local leader as a "generous and open act of kindness to the entire community."

The sanitization and awareness project targeted people with disabilities, the elderly and secondary-school-aged children, supporting 260 people with food and masks. More than 900 participated in awareness raising about COVID-19.

Chief Nyakuleng’a of the Lunda speaking people of Zambezi District said the move taken by the ELCZa to reach out to the vulnerable and disabled people in her district was “welcomed and timely,” adding that others should “emulate” the diaconal work of the Lutheran church.

Chief Nyakuleng'a reminds the community of the dangers of COVID-19

Taking care to adhere to social distancing, over 900 members of the community welcomed the ELCZa delegation that informed them of the dangers of COVID-19 and the ways in which infection can be prevented.

In the coming weeks this will be expanded to the Chavuma District.

Community members received packages of Mielie-meal, soap, liquid hand sanitizer. Students at the Nyakuleng’a High School received protective face masks from the church delegation.

The ELCZa distributed Mielie-Meal to vulnerable populations

“We are one family”

Bridging the Lutheran and Catholic churches in the community of Chinyingi, the local Catholic priest commended the diaconal work that brought the churches together to combat COVID-19, offering the Lutheran church use of the Catholic church's pontoon to cross Zambezi River.

Reverend Mubanga of the Chinyingi Catholic Mission, located 30km west of the Zambezi District said he regards the Lutherans “as family” and urged Catholic members to work together with the ELCZa efforts to prevent the escalation of COVID-19.

The ELCZa delegation helps pull a pontoon with supplies across the Zambezi River

Data shows 1,430 COVID-19 cases and 11 deaths in the country with the number of daily deaths decreasing from 121 deaths a day on June 11th to 14 daily deaths on June 20th.

The ELCZa also donated food supplies and COVID-19 prevention materials to the Chinyingi Catholic Mission Hospital which is used as a quarantine center for people coming from Angola.

ELCZa received 5,000 Euros from the LWF Rapid Response Fund to assist its diaconal work in the church and community during Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

By David Mang’enda ELCZa Communications Officer, edited by LWF Communications

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The Rapid Response Fund, launched in April, supports many of the communion’s member churches that are particularly vulnerable during the global health emergency. Upon approval of a project application, a church can receive a grant of up to EUR 5,000 from the global fund supported by LWF’s member church partners around the world.