Lusaka, Zambia. There is much being done, but also much more to be done for the betterment of women worldwide.

Education is power. Historically, this fact has limited access to education based on factors such as gender, class and ethnicity. Even today, access to basic schooling in countries such as Zambia is often not available to female students

Pregnancy, early marriage and extreme poverty are all factors in restricting girls, as well as an expectation that they should stay at home to cook, clean and care for siblings.

Share the Light is a charity organization that was created through the mutual efforts of people in Zambia and staff and students of Salesian College Farnborough, Great Britain. It seeks to support vital work that is being undertaken by Salesian Sisters’ in Zambia, such as the City of Joy project. At the City of Joy, vulnerable girls are given a loving home and family where they feel safe and cared for, and where they are encouraged and supported in their education and training. Share the Light helps catering for the medical and nutritional requirements of the girls, as well as providing clothing, school uniforms and other equipment.

Maureen was one of the first girls to live at the City of Joy, and the first to reach Grade 12 and finish school. In 2015, she started nursing college but unfortunately, due to a range of factors, could not maintain the funds needed for continued study. Share the Light continues to fundraise to support her until she qualifies as a nurse this year. Maureen says: “My education is very important to me, because it will make my future bright. I would like to build an orphanage so that I also can help young ones who have no one to help them.”

Republished from the Australian Salesian Bulletin - Winter 2019
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