AFRICA — “The project of Nyamphande has taught me a lesson to work extra hard in life, for nothing comes from nothing… My vision is to help people in the same way that I have been helped. I would like to encourage those who are still at Nyamphande to embrace this opportunity, take advantage of it and work extra hard.”
Isaac Phiri has seen seasons come and go since the birth of Nyamphande. The 24-year-old is now a promising accountant.
Isaac had been living with his parents until 1996, when both of them died, leaving him a double-orphaned child along with his siblings. He was later taken under the custody of his grandmother in George Compound in Lusaka. Life was hard and he had to drop out of school because of finances.
That same year, the family acquired a farm at Nyamphande in Chongwe. Eventually Isaac joined a community school within the Nyamphande area, but too far from his home. He had to walk miles and it could take him three hours to reach the destination. By then, he was doing some piece work just so that he could sponsor himself at school. At times he would miss classes even for the whole term due to lack of funds.
Finally in 1999, Isaac came to Nyamphande in fourth grade, sponsoring himself. Amazingly his aim was only to go as far as seventh grade so that he would be able to read and write.
In a dramatic turn of events, Isaac was blessed with some sponsors from America. He successfully completed his secondary level in 2007. He is now at the National Institute for Public Administration (NIPA) in Lusaka, studying Accounting.
“Nyamphande has taught me a lesson to work extra hard in life, for nothing comes from nothing. My vision is to help people in the same way that I have been helped. I would like to encourage those who are still at Nyamphande to embrace this opportunity, take advantage of it and work extra hard,” encourages Isaac.
Isaac added, “To those that are not in school and who think their future is not so bright, I wish to encourage them to do anything that they can and ask them to focus on God as he has plans for them. Let them take up any opportunity that may come their way and not give up on life.”
Nymphande Orphanage
Zambia, Africa
Project Number 1318080
© 2009 Church of God World Missions