DEBT PROJECT

From 28 to 31 May, Charity Musamba, Communication and Research Officer of the Debt Project, was in Cairo, Egypt to participate in a Pan African Forum on the Future of Children. The forum identified debt as a major impediment to the African child's welfare, in that it contributed to the reduction in resource allocation to child services. While calling for greater resources to be put to children’s needs, the forum recognised that political will and action is key. Charity will be bringing this message to Zambian audiences.

Chrispin Mphuka and Besinati Phiri, coordinators respectively of the Debt Project and Civil Society for Poverty Reduction, attended a workshop from 10 to 12 May in Kampala, Uganda on the preparation of the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP). Among issues tackled were the nature of civil society’s participation in the PRSP.

George Makaha, from 8 to 19 May, participated in the government-sponsored Provincial Consultations on the PRSP. He was able to contribute the views gathered from civil society’s analysis of poverty issues in Zambia.

Much effort by the Debt Project team has been going into preparation of a report on the effect of Zambia’s qualification for HIPC “relief”, and on the presentation of a major drama to be held in mid-June, entitled “And Now the Eclipse of the Debt.”

TASK FORCE ON THE INTEGRITY OF CREATION

The Task Force on the Integrity of Creation is now falling into place. Roland Lesseps, S.J., a botanist working at the Kasisi AgricuItural Training Centre, chairs the Task Force. Both Chrispin Mphuka and Muweme Muweme from the JCTR staff have been associated with its early beginnings. It will offer a faith perspective on ways to curb environmental degradation in Zambia and Malawi, with particular focus on the impact of this degradation on the poor.

JCTR FOOD BASKET

Recently there has been greatly increased interest in our monthly Food Basket survey, (See JCTR Bulletin No. 46.) It has featured widely in the debates over the current strike of civil service workers in Zambia. Beside providing extensive media coverage, Muweme Muweme, coordinator of the survey, has been presenting its findings in several forums.

In late April, Muweme participated in a government-sponsored workshop on the data requirements for the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP). He presented a paper entitled ''Methodology for Producing Poverty-Related Data: The JCTR Experience.”

Earlier in April, Muweme explained the Food Basket to a meeting of the Canadian-USA Women's Club in Lusaka. Among issues touched on were an explanation of the Food Basket’s evolution, methodology, usefulness, etc.

On 15 May, Muweme made presentation on the poverty situation in Zambia at a national Forum on Orphans and Vulnerable Children. The Food Basket featured in explaining the problems being face.

CHURCH'S SOCIAL TEACHING

At the end of March, Pete Henriot, S.J., presented a paper entitled “Africa in the Age of Globalisation: What Is Our Future?” at Arrupe College, Harare, and repeated the presentation at the AMECEA Justice and Peace meeting in Nairobi in April.

Closer to home, Pete has been lecturing on the church’s social teaching to classes at St. Dominic’s Major Seminary, Emmaus Spirituality Centre and Kalundu Study Centre. He also presented workshops on civic education to the Monze Diocese Teachers’ Commission and the Jesuit Superiors meeting.

The JCTR’s “Lenten Homily Series,” prepared by Charles Searson, S.J., was sent to 250 parishes in Zambia, with translations in seven local languages. This service has been enthusiastically received and we have been encouraged to repeat it. Besides homily notes on the social dimensions of the Sunday scripture, Charles also suggests a short drama and prayers.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

Visiting us currently for two months is Ikenna Ikechi, S.J., a young Jesuit from Nigeria. Ikenna is currently pursuing theological studies at Hekima College in Nairobi. He is doing his pastoral research work at the JCTR.

Charity Musamba has been participating in the planning of the Jesuit Refugee Service to provide new services for refugees who have been detained in prisons in Lusaka.

Pete Henriot, S.J., serves on the Archdiocese of Lusaka’s newly structured Development Commission and attended its first meeting in mid-May.

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