As a Faith-Based Organisation established to meet people’s needs, Chreso Ministries is here to champion sustainable innovative solutions that support and promote human development When Chreso Ministries started its operations in 1996, its initial work was providing HIV counselling and benevolence to prisoners and hospital patients at UTH and Chainama Mental Health Hospital. The HIV counselling was provided in a small office at the back of the church building and mostly to youths, couples (married and those wishing to marry) and any walk-in person. At the hospitals, we provided bedside counselling before donating soaps, food and cleaning materials (nursing kits). The above work continued right into the year 2000 when the first full time employee was employed at Chreso. The new employee was a fresh graduate from the University of Zambia with a major in psychology. He was tasked to put programs together, write proposals and subsequently employ more staff on the team to start providing HIV counselling and testing right at Go Centre. Soon after this, we got funding from the German Government to put up a structure that would house all health related programs, the building that we all know as Chreso Ministries. In the following year, a nurse was employed and on-site VCT started. However, in the early 1990s, Go Centre had already started a Ministry of health supported mobile clinic running around all the rural areas of Lusaka. And so in 2001, we started both on-site VCT and also incorporated the same into the structures of the already existing mobile clinic. In so doing we became the first VCT centre to run mobile VCT in Zambia. We rose above all challenges like negative myths and until now, we are still running mobile VCT and not only in Lusaka but also in Kabwe, Siavonga and Livingstone. We have provided hints on how to run a mobile VCT program to Latkins Outreach and NewStart Centres, the two who are now providing the facility successfully. Chreso opened a guest house and a college to help fund these activities. These two ventures were the only source of funding for the fast expanding VCT programs until 2003 when we received donor funding from Geneva Global to expand on mobile VCT in Lusaka’s rural areas. This funding was only for 1 year. Therefore in May 2003, Chreso began the first ever Zambian Mobile VCT Clinic, servicing 6 Lusaka rural communities (Mphandika, Kalundu, Chanzanga, Kabanana, Christian Voice, Kashima), as well as other communities upon request. These activities continue to be successfully carried out. In January 2006, VCT services were expanded to Ellensdale farm block. Thus, the program continues to build on its success by adding the operation of another clinic to expand the scope of activities. This project combined testing, counselling and primary health care. The Geneva Global project saw us increase staff from 2 to 10 by the end of 2004. Towards the end of the Geneva Global project, we got involved in the application process for what seemed at the time almost impossible to get – PEPFAR funds to provide Anti-retroviral therapy. We gave it a try and proudly so we became the first stand alone NGO to provide treatment facilities for anti-retroviral therapy (ART) in Zambia. The AIDSRelief program, as it is known, amplified our VCT programs. Until now, when we can boast about being in four (4) towns of Zambia (Kabwe, Siavonga, Lusaka and Livingstone), we continue to provide VCT with or without donor support because of good sustainability plans that we continue to put in place. Gospel Outreach Christian Academy (GOCA)
GOCA provides preschool, primary education and secondary education to Lusaka based children since 1994. But the most outstanding strand made by GOCA is the provision of free education to orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in Lusaka. The school is now a registered examination centre by the Examination Council of Zambia. The school currently has over 600 pupils enrolled from preschool to secondary school Grade 12. Out of these, close to a quarter is receiving free education because of their vulnerable status. Mubuyu Christian Academy (MCA)
MCA was established in February 2004 near Siavonga on the banks of Kariba Dam. Siavonga is a rural district about 180 km from Lusaka. MCA is duly registered with the Ministry of Education. It is a boarding school for vulnerable and orphaned girls. It also operates a community school. MCA currently has 150 girls in boarding. Of these 150, only a small number of pupils are contributing towards their education. The school currently runs from grade 8 to 12. The community school has 90 children attending from nearby villages. The nearest primary school is too far for these children to walk. Lumwana Mine Schools
Beginning with the school year 2009, Chreso Ministries is operating the Lumwana Mine Schools on behalf of Lumwana Mines. Initially the school opened its Primary school. Vocational Training
Vocational training programs and skills training started way back in the early 1990's on the inception of the church. The ladies department of the church organized these courses in catering and tailoring and designing. However, in 2000, Chreso went professional by registering with the Ministry of Science and Technology to provide training in accredited courses and programs. Ever since the first day of registration, we have either been a grade two or one institution, which is the best an institution can attain. Currently we are running courses in Hotel and Catering Management, Food Production, Food and Beverage and Tailoring and Designing and short courses in cookery. More than a 100 students have graduated since inception and currently, we have 104 students attending any one of the above courses. We also offer SKILLS TRAINING AND SHORT COURSES. Our computer centre is offering short courses in introduction to computers, Microsoft programs, hardware maintenance and IT programs. Fountain Gate
Chreso Ministries has constructed an Orphan Care Centre about 12 km east of the Lusaka International Airport turnoff along Great East Road. This centre will house up to 160 orphans who will live in houses with their foster parents. Part of the project will be a primary and later a secondary school, a vocational training centre and an agricultural project. Official Opening will be in September 2009. Zambia shoulders a huge orphan problem due to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The extended family system, which used to take care of orphans is totally overburdened and families find it a challenge to take care of more orphans. Hence our
Through this wonderful facility. Chreso Ministries wants to build people in a holistic way. Orphans, vulnerable children as well as children from the surrounding area are given the opportunity to learn in the FG Christian Academy. The story however does not end there. Through a skills training centre, FG Training Centre, children will be equipped with the required skills to enable them to go into business, or find employment in the labour market. Chreso Ministries is duly registered with TEVETA and has been training young people for many years. intervention! Chreso University
www.chresouniversity.edu.zm
