Urgent: Help care for orphans in Zambia

Dear Friends,

They have cleared the land. Using their own hand-tools and whatever instruments available, they have drilled a borehole well in order to have the supply of water that is
essential. They have built a large thatch storage building -- so as to be able to store all of the “fruits of the harvest.” They have tested the ability of the soil to grow and sustain the proper grains and vegetables. And using shovels, picks and rakes -- they have built a gravel road of more than eight miles . . . a road that winds its way out to the main road so as to provide access to the vehicles that would need to gain access to their farming venture.

Quite honestly, they have done more than any of us could have ever imagined!
And they have done this in hope that we will understand just how committed they are
to making this work. Please let me explain.

Recently, I received a letter from one of our Missionary of Africa priests, Fr. Gotthard Rosner. For most of his adult life, Fr. Gotthard has lived and worked as a missionary -- working among some of the world’s poorest men, women and children. Now -- while living in Lusaka, Zambia in Sub-Saharan Africa -- he is hoping we can reach out to those who are trying so desperately to help themselves.

“The Ngwerere Farm was created to to help grow food for some of Zambia’s children who have been orphaned by the AIDS epidemic,” Fr. Gotthard writes. “It is an incredible project! People from all over the region are rallying behind the Farm -- working to do whatever they can to make it a success.

“The adults here,” he continues, “see what AIDS has done to their country . . . to their families and children. As a result, they have come together to drill a well, plow fields, build a road -- all without any large equipment such as you might see in more industrialized countries. Instead, they are using their hands and whatever else they might have. Their hope is that once the Ngwerere Farm is operational -- it will provide food that can feed the children as well as be sold in the marketplace. The income generated from the sale of vegetables and grains would help buy dairy cattle, chickens, and even help in developing ponds and lakes for developing other sources of food such as fish farms.”

“While the people here continue to work so hard for the success of the Farm,” Fr. Gotthard
explains, “there are still too many things they cannot do without help. As I write this letter to you, we still need water storage tanks so as to be able to irrigate the fields. We also need a water pump, irrigation pipes, sprinklers and valves. We are in need of seed corn, soy bean seed, potato seed, sunflower seed, fertilizer and an ox-drawn plow.”

“Quite frankly, this Farm has already begun to change the lives of the entire community. I am praying there is some way you can partner with us to make it a success! Please -- is there some way you can help?”

My dear friend, since he is one of my fellow missionaries, I’ve known Fr. Gotthard for many
years. I also know how hard he and the people of his community in Lusaka are working to provide a dependable source of food for those children who have known terrible hunger! Is there some way you can help us provide them with the support they need?

In total, the Ngwerere Farm will need nearly $38,000 in order to purchase all of the items
required to begin growing crops, irrigating and then harvesting them as they mature. A total of $3,750 is needed to purchase a water pump for irrigation. A donation of $1,406 would help provide one water storage tank. A gift of $190 would help provide 10 sacks of seed corn -- and $90 would help purchase an ox-drawn plow! Whatever you decide to send -- will you also take time to pray for the success of the Ngwerere Farm? Your prayers can move mountains . . . and help move others to give. God bless you for all that you continue to do!

Your Missionary Friend,

Fr. John P. Lynch, M. Afr.