Last month President Hakainde Hichilema declared a state of emergency due to the failure of the rains. An estimated 50% of Zambia's maize crop has been wiped out and the hydro dams are down to 20% of their capacity. Rolling power cuts have already begun and we expect there will be widespread hunger later in the year. This will present challenges on every level, and we in Limapela will need wisdom in facing these challenges.

We are grateful to our directors and staff, and especially Administrator Margarita Kabwita who is ably managing the day-to-day needs during our absence from Zambia.

Alison and I expect to be in New Zealand until 3 April. We will then fly to Brisbane for a week to visit our daughter Miriam and granddaughter Charlotte before continuing to the UK for three weeks. Do contact us if you would like to meet up during our leave. We expect to arrive back in Zambia on 2 May.

Schools ...

It was a relief to see schools open again on 12 February, albeit a month late, after the closures in January due to a cholera outbreak. Enrolment in both schools so far appears to be similar to last year. Head Teachers Martha Mbewe at Limapela Cedric’s, and Franchessca Mumba at Luyando Community continue to lead their respective teams of teachers competently.

Two teachers from Limapela Cedric’s have been recruited to Government schools. We are never happy to lose teachers, but it could have been worse, and we concede that the Government schools need more teachers for Zambia’s ever-increasing numbers of children. 50% of Zambia’s population is under the age of 15.

The Onesimus Fund ...

Many thanks to a new donor from Christchurch, NZ, who is now sponsoring Joy Mwamba, a bright young girl of 12 who has been offered a place at Chengelo School, one of Zambia’s top secondary schools.

Let us know if you would like to contribute to this fund that creates educational opportunities for achieving young people who have little money for secondary and tertiary costs.

The Compassion Fund ...

Children in Zambia are marginalised mostly by the effects of poverty. Orphaned young people lack a most basic need — the love of a mother. A motherless child may feel insecure and vulnerable, and their need for affirmation can become acute. This fund gives priority when possible to helping children whose mothers have died.

We are also concerned to see how many Zambian fathers are absent or not involved in their children's lives. Their children then look elsewhere for male role models.

Warm greetings and thanks to you all for your interest, support and prayers.

— Matthew and Alison Raymond