WHAT YOU SEE IS POVERTY- By Chewe Stephen

Zambia must realize that, more than ever before, its greatest resource is its people and that it is through their active and full participation that Zambia can surmount the difficulties that lie ahead (South Commission). But the difficulty that we have to realize is that poor people live without fundamental freedom of action and choice that the well off take for granted. They always lack adequate food and shelter especially when it is raining, which makes it difficult for them to find a job that will enable them meet their basic needs.

The poor also lack access to education, information and health.  At the beginning of the year two of our girls made it to grade ten. These girls spent their morning in school, and the afternoon selling locally made brooms. The money they raised was spent on their school fees, which were at K170, 000 per person per term. This was how they spent their time in grade eight and nine.

After introducing games at our project they started coming for games. They did this by dividing their time and how they did it I do not know. The girls up to now have no money to pay ZMK1, 000,000, the equivalent $200. The Edmund Rice Youth Project coordinator and his assistant have talked to the headmaster of the school they attend to allow them to learn while they help in sourcing the needed money with the girls.

The poor also face extreme vulnerability to ill health; HIV/AIDS is the case in point. Most of our youth have no parents. Almost every two days Good Samaritan Center (the centre that host ERYP) takes someone to the hospital or a family for burial. These are just some of the problems our project and our people are facing. The experience of multiple deprivations is huge and painful. Our people’s description of what living in poverty means bears a more self explanatory testimony to their pain.  A quote from the world development report summarizes everything; “don’t ask me what poverty is because you have met it outside my house. Look at the house and count the number of hole. Look at the utensils and the cloths I am wearing. Look at everything and write what you see. What you see is poverty.”

SPEECH DELIVERED BY NOAH K. SIMPUNGWE ON THEIR GRADUATION CEREMONY

The RDC chairperson, Good Samaritan centre coordinator, Edmund Rice Youth Project Manager, community members, parents and my fellow students. May I simply say all protocols observed.

I feel greatly honoured and privileged to be granted an opportunity like to stand here and represent every student soon to be announced as graduators.

Without much ado, I share with you the experience, express our gratitude and share our challenges with Edmund.

Allow me to take advantage of this time to bring to your attention the fact that EERYP has brought an enormous change in our lives as youth.

May I also say that the skills and the knowledge we have acquired here have changed our conduct in society.

Indeed there was a time when we were kids and hopeless such that our parents had absolutely no idea what we would become in future. But today we are here as responsible people with dignity and good reputation ready to take up the responsibilities in   the society as men and women.

Although some despaired in their academic work now hopes have been raised through ERYP.

Life is now worth living because of what we have acquired here. I remember in the past when we had lessons here, change and growth was detected in the sense that each day brought with it new things. Minds were broadened, thinking capacities sharpened, hence making us so brave and have the impetus.

Life is never the same because of the skills and knowledge we possess today. ERYP has not only achieved in empowering the youths but also uniting us as one, working together towards a common goal.

To facilitators Br. Chewe and Mr. Kavimba, we say you have been everything to us and continue with the same spirit. You have been our mentors, our comforters, our elder brothers and most of all our inspiration as well as motivators. Your flexibility conquered all the incorrigibleness we exhibited at times. Social, political, and religious affiliation meant nothing to you but you looked and treated us as one, though we sometimes hardly complied with the rules around here.

Let me also mention to you that because of ERYP we now have the impetus to drive us through life.

Thank you very much and may God continue blessing you all.