Kapata donates to orphanage, women in Siavonga

Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health, Jean Kapata, yesterday donated assorted items to Namumu Orphanage Centre in Siavonga district.

Speaking at Namumu orphanage home where she presented the donated boxes of shoes, toys and pre-school books, Ms Kapata assured the children at the centre that government was committed to improving their welfare.

She told the children that being orphans did not mean that it is the end of everything.

“I can tell you my children that being orphans does not mean that it is the end of everything. After all you are the future generations and it is from you where we will have presidents. I am grateful to the management here for taking good care of you because if it were not for this management you could have been on the streets,” she said.

Ms Kapata, who is also Member of Parliament for Mandevu Constituency, noted that if well supported orphans can be just like other children who could achieve their dreams and contribute to national development.

And Ms Kapata said Zambia has lost its tradition of the extended family, saying this has affected a lot of people in the country.

And receiving the donation on behalf of the school, Namumu Orphanage Director, Phanwell Simamba, expressed gratitude to the minister and praised the PF government for its good political will.

“I am grateful and thanking you so much for your donation. In fact you are the first minister to come here and this is a big history for this orphanage centre. I would just ask you to help us market this centre because we do not have sponsors,” he said.

And speaking shortly after the donation, Nancy Kwelele a Namumu orphanage sponsored grade ten pupil, thanked government for the items bought for the pupils and the good gesture it showed to the centre.

Ms Kapata also donated three hand sewing machines to Matua women’s club.

Speaking when she presented the donation to the club, the minister said the Patriotic Front government is a working government and pro-poor, adding that it does not tell lies.

She said the PF government does not want to deliver to the people during campaign period or when the elections are near.

The minister said her ministry has donated to fulfil her promise to the club which she made in August, last year.

She urged the office of community development in the district to help the women with materials for sewing, adding that women have to be self reliant.

And club vice chairlady, Noria Gama, thank the minister for the donation and promised to guard the sewing machines jealously.