CLUB MWEKA

Come bathed. No bullying. Boys and girls get equal playing time. No insults. Come on time. No stealing. Listen when someone else is talking. These were just a few of the rules the kids voted into existence last Sunday. When choosing goals for the club, becoming better at futbol and learning topped the list. Of the 28 children that attended, nearly all are single or double orphans. All of them are seeking a place they can come and be just what they are-children.

Meet Club Mweka, a pilot program for orphans and vulnerable children in Simane Village, Zambia. Thanks to funding from the CCR Youth Group in Colorado Springs, the youth in this village will have the opportunity to get together to play games, learn vital life skills and be assisted with literacy. After lots of groundwork over the last months, we officially kicked off our club last Sunday afternoon and it was a hug success. I'm so excited to move forward with these kids and see what the future brings. While some of the children attend school, the majority are not currently going, so to get to be a part of the club is a great self-esteem boost for them!

Right now I am co-leading the club with Omsley, who was born and raised in Simane Village and has a passion for community development and youth. This next week he will be attending a 4-day HIV/AIDS workshop I am co-facilitating in Choma. Being able to provide him with more knowledge will even better equip him in this endeavor. He has great rapport with the kids and to partner with him is a pleasure.

As we look to the future our goal is to expand into the other 13 villages (and beyond!) in our area, training mentors and establishing clubs in each village. While being completely adorable is not a requirement for the club, I swear every child steals your heart. Pray that God would continue to bless this group of children and give us wisdom as we lead them!