Lemmy Banda is an inspired educator. For Lemmy, education is more than knowledge: it is a powerful tool to change lives. The basis for this is reading, writing and the gospel.
In rural Zambia, more than half the population is illiterate. Those who cannot read have difficulty finding a job. This is how poverty passes from generation to generation. To break this cycle of poverty, Christian Education Ministry (CEM) trains volunteers in teaching skills. Village communities can thus start their own schools and teach their children to read and write, as well as pass on the gospel by telling Bible stories. Lemmy is one such CEM-trained teacher.
Village school with quality
"I have been working as a helper at CEM for many years. Before I started at Kazlamame school, CEM taught me how to teach children Bible lessons and teach them to read and write. I applied what I learned and saw that the children responded positively. Through the Bible stories, they longed to know God better and were motivated to learn to read and write. At this school I worked for many years.
I then left for Hillside, a village near Petauke, to start a new school there. At first, I taught at my home; only later did the parents have the means to build a proper school. The CEM provided teaching materials and visited the school regularly. New teachers could attend workshops and conferences. Today, this school is recognised by the Ministry of Education and fully funded by the government.
The recognition from the government is a confirmation that the fundamental training we received from CEM is working very well. The programmes are effective and many, including me, have become competent teachers.
In 2023, I left Hillside to start another school, the Calender School, under the responsibility of the local church. We focus on Bible classes and reading and writing programmes. We are working to ensure that this school too grows towards government standards.
I welcome the vision and support of the CEM and pray that the programme will continue."
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Missionary diaconal worker Marjanne Hendriksen has been closely involved in the development of CEM's training programme. She transferred the work in eastern Zambia to a local team so that she could focus on wider implementation of the concept, within and outside Zambia.
