The Lighthouse Children's Home is the result of a need seen by Patrick and Sherry Coleman. For several years they have been helping orphans and street kids in Luanshya. In 1998 they were asked by town leaders if they had considered starting an orphanage. They began to pray about that possibility.
A few months later they received a letter from a Christian in
America asking the same question. Requesting to remain
anonymous, he sent US$30,000 that opened the door to the LCH
becoming a reality. The money was used to purchase a house and
renovate it including updating plumbing, including a
water tank,
electrical, especially for the kitchen, and other general
repairs.
After meeting with Luanshya District Social Welfare Officer Christopher Phiri, the Colemans filed documents to register The Lighthouse Children's' Home with the Registrar of Societies as a bona fide caretaker of "Children At Risk".
| Six of the children are double orphans (both parents deceased). They come from rural Luanshya and Ndola and were selected by the Office of Social Service in Luanshya. The children were placed into the custody and care of the LCH until they reach the age of 18 years. |
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All of them are attending school. Each child has his/her own bed and clothing and every child receives regular medical and dental check-ups. |
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Most of the children had malaria when they arrived, and all were severely malnourished. Ear and eye infections were common, as were open, infected wounds. Nancy, Johnny and Stelia suffered from undiagnosed, untreated asthma. The children's first medical visit was quite intensive and frightening. However, within a week, the children were laughing and playing like normal, healthy children. |
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The LCH is not an orphanage in the conventional manner, but a home where orphans are incorporated into a family structure with house parents and other brothers and sisters. Phillip and Fostina Chibumba serve a house parents and live with the orphans and with their own children. They are "one, big, happy family."
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We praise God for the faithfulness of the Chibumba family. They volunteered to serve as our house parents at the Lighthouse Children's Home, after our initial volunteer became too ill to serve. Mrs. Chibumba cleaned the house inside and out. Brother Chibumba utilised his experience in agriculture to completely revamp the garden. Our dream of a garden that would actually sustain the orphanage is now a viable reality.
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A 1988 Toyota pick-up is used for transportation and for carrying the supplies. In typical Zambian style, the passengers ride in the back. When the Director of Social Welfare for Luanshya District saw Mr. Chibumba bringing the children home from school, he did not recognize the children who were sitting in the back of the small pickup. He was stunned at their growth and healthy appearance. The reputation that we have been able to cultivate has helped us to make inroads into the community and to witness in areas in which we have not had opportunity in the past. |
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Former Luanshya Mayor Evans Chilufya declared LCH a "model" for orphanages and children's homes during a visit and suggested that individuals or organisations considering starting an orphanage should contact the Ministry of Social Services and arrange for a visit to the LCH to see "how it should be done."
When asked why this ministry was initiated the Colemans refer to the Lord Jesus Christ's admonition in Matthew 25:31-40:
But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate them as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left. Then the King will say to those on the right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.' "Then these righteous ones will reply, 'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink. Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?' And the King will tell them, 'I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!'
"These children are not at fault," Answered Mr Coleman. "However, they are at risk due to circumstances completely beyond their control and are clearly 'the least of these'. While we cannot help every child, we can help these."
