Quarterly Bulletin

Some time in the year 2000, I was approached by one Jubilee-Monze member, Emily Ng’andu, to sign a petition demanding for total cancellation of Zambia’s external debt.  I was reluctant to do so, more out of lack of understanding than anything else.  Of course I had heard of Jubilee 2000 but that did not mean anything to me. In the end I signed even though she did not explain to me what it was all about.  At that time for me there was no link between Jubilee and JCTR.   All I knew of “Jesuits” was that they were a congregation at Chikuni, Monze running Canisius High School!

I was later encouraged and joined Jubilee-Zambia in November 2003.  The first three months were difficult because nothing much in terms of orientation was given so I just floated and began reading every material that I could find in order to understand.  Terms like HIPC (Highly Indebted Poor Countries) were foreign to me!  Fortunately, a capacity building Economic Literacy Workshop was conducted in early 2004, with the facilitation of Jack Jones Zulu and Saul Banda. That did a lot to clear most of the questions that were on my mind, especially with the materials that they left.   A forum for FBOs was later organised where I got further clarity on the issues.

Today I can  proudly say there would be no success of Jubilee-Zambia to talk about if not for the selfless effort of the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection.  Without the JCTR standing up to voice out and advocate for the poorest of the poor, the workers and non-workers, the rural based and those in peri-urban areas, the most poor would continue to be invisible in national policies and priorities. 

The bravery of JCTR to stand up and question some of the policies and to establish the relationship of the Government with the poor and vulnerable in Zambia could only be described as Godly. It should not be forgotten that we live in an era where majority of the people would have nothing to do with the neighbour, as long as they themselves are alright.

JCTR to me is the lifeblood and brains of all activities being carried out in Monze and other JCTR Outreach Programmes.  Firstly, it is fact that JCTR  provides funds for the Outreach Teams but funds alone would not bring about the activities that we in the Outreach have been carrying out. 

The JCTR, most importantly,  facilitates  training to build the capacity of members, using results of well researched materials from both the JCTR Team and other stakeholders.  As earlier alluded to, this kind of information is what has moved and motivated us all to do the kind of work that we do, which is complemented by the necessary funding that we have always received.  

The capacity that we have been receiving has enabled us to engage key stakeholders, authorities, policy makers  and the Grassroots, speaking with authority on matters of Debt Management, Trade and more recently, the Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, need for Just Wages and  the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). 

Though there is no Basic Needs Basket for Monze, we have continued to receive the BNB results for Lusaka and Livingstone. Despite the difference between Monze and these two towns, we still use the Basket in our campaigns to highlight difficulties families are facing.

The regular training and information updates from JCTR have enabled us in the Jubilee-Zambia teams outside Lusaka to be up-to-date with social justice concerns and to move together towards working for better lives for the people. While JCTR was engaging Government using their expertise in macroeconomic language, we did our best to advocate for issues using the simplified language at our local level. 

As a result, we have managed to influence and win the support of many in our communities, the NGOs, FBOs, CSOs, Traditional Leaders, the media, Civic Leaders as well as Government officials who initially had misgivings about our work, thinking we were there to oppose Government.  All this would not be possible without the good structures of the JCTR.

Today, the name Jubilee-Zambia is not strange to the ears of the  majority.  I believe we have managed to keep the fire burning at the local level as well as expanding to areas beyond our districts.  This could only be achieved through tireless efforts of the JCTR staff and our own positive response and interest in the campaign issues as members of these Outreach Teams.

We are all grateful to be associated with the achievements  of  JCTR, e.g., the partial cancellation of Debts, contributing to the topical issue of Economic Partnership Agreements (Trade) which were not fully signed in December 2007 as a response to CSOs concerns and recommendations, to mention but a few.

May I take this opportunity and on behalf of all my colleagues in Monze and the entire JCTR Outreach Programme to call on our Government, especially the newly elected President, to ensure that:

The JCTR has a firm ground in promoting social justice, concern for the poor and standing strong in the footsteps of Jesus; whose     concern    for   the  poor, vulnerable and the marginalised was and continues to be a stronghold and motivation for the Outreach teams. 

The members of staff of  JCTR have contributed to help shape the Outreach to be what it is today, contributing effectively to the broader Vision and Mission. My brief would not be complete if I do not thank all those that have in one way or another been part of Jubilee-Zambia, among them:  Charity Musamba, Jack Jones Zulu, Saul Banda, Nachilala Nkombo, and Muyatwa Sitali.  May the Lord bless them all wherever they are. 

Special thanks go to Fr. Peter Henriot, S.J., for his leadership. His weekly newspaper columns enable anyone who wishes to learn to pick up something.  May the Lord continue to give him wisdom.

In conclusion, let us all “Make Poverty History” in Zambia through strengthened pro-poor policies. 

Long Live Jubilee Zambia, Viva JCTR!
Phoebe Moono
 Facilitator,
JCTR Outreach Programme, Monze