News

Kazunzu Village of Hope -  Progress Update Published: 31 May 2021

The development activities at the Kazunzu Village of Hope continue to make good progress with the first two clusters, each with four houses, now complete. These eight homes are the first of 40 that are planned for the village.

The farmland (shambas) connected at the back of the clusters has also been completed. Farming will provide a range of different benefits to the village, including a sustainable food source and income for the families, as well as training opportunities in the local community.

A total of 58 people now live in the homes, with the guardian parents serving as foster families to 4 or 5 orphaned children from the islands or lake zone. 

These 8 houses are home to 34 orphaned children, having been identified by the church (AICT) in partnership with local community leaders and social services. Reports from the residents reveal that, since moving into their new homes, a real sense of community has been developed at Kazunzu. 

Official Opening Ceremony

In celebration of the progress made at Kazunzu and the families moving into the homes, an official opening ceremony was held.  On 18th February, local dignitaries and the families joined with AICT Archbishop Mussa Magwesela as he officially opened the first two clusters (Jerusalem and Bethlehem Blocks).

This was a special day for all involved, in particular for Archbishop Mussa, who had had the original vision of building a sustainable village on the 53-acre site.

Fish Farm

The beginning of the year saw 22,000 tilapia fingerlings being put into the two fish farm cages which have now been installed on the Lake next to Kazunzu.

These fingerlings have been carefully looked after, kept safe and fed by the Kazunzu families. Throughout the development and ongoing care of the fish farm, a local expert has advised and guided AICT and the local families.

The fish produced by the farm will be used to feed the families and also be sold at market.  This project is a key component in the self-sustaining goal of the village and we look forward to news of a good harvest around June/July this year.

Community Hub

Progress continues on the community hub with the foundations of the multipurpose facility now complete and walls of the individual sections under construction.

The structure, locally known as the ‘Boma’, will be the focal point of village life, with a meeting place, kitchen, shop and 3 bedroom clusters. These chalet-type clusters will provide accommodation for visiting work teams during the construction stage of the village. 

The aim is for the Community Hub to be completed over the next few months.