Samaritan Children’s Home

Location: Lusaka, Zambia

Timeline: On-going

Status: Currently operating

Topics: Children orphaned by HIV/AIDS or war

The Description

Reverend John Jere is Founder and Director of Samaritan Children’s Home (SCH). Pastor John is a Zambian national who is very sensitive to the leading of God while trusting Him to take care of their physical and financial needs. They continue to care for many AIDS orphans who have lost both father and mother. Until recently, John and Joyce had as many as 81 orphans at the home. They have committed all their personal resources to this project and are getting the job done, though their resources are limited.

The situation and people involved:
Pastor John Jere, with his wife Joyce, are completely dedicated to providing shelter, education and loving care to a rising number of doubly disadvantaged children. Pastor Jere is a long time friend of ITMI’s Bill Bathman, who first stayed in their Lusaka home in the early 1990s. He has a track record of integrity and has worked closely for over a dozen years with Dr. Peter Hammond, Director of Frontline Fellowship, and ITMI missionary, Charl van Wyk of Africa Christian Action. On a personal note, John and Joyce are unable to have children of their own. They began by opening their home to children who had lost both parents to HIV/AIDS. Soon their little home was overcrowded. They sold their house and bought a property about 15 kilometers south of Lusaka, the Zambian capital. They have leased land for planting maize. Recently, Charl van Wyk took them a cinder block-making machine, which they have used to build a facility on their property that they plan to use as a medical clinic.

The Need

The situation in Zambia is dire. The number of orphans is staggering and there is no end in sight. John and Joyce are forced to turn down as many as 25 children in need per day. SCH is home to many Zambian children who’ve lost both parents to HIV/AIDS or war. They live completely by faith, not always sure where the next meal or medical treatment will come from. The children attend a local school, but the Jeres are unhappy with the secular education they are receiving. They envision opening a Christian school and medical clinic on their property. They also envision a larger facility, allowing them to rescue more children from the streets.

In Pastor John’s own words…

“THANKS FOR PARTNERING WITH US.”

“Thank you for bearing the burden with us in ALLEVIATING the suffering
children in Lusaka, Zambia, Africa.”

Goals

1. To evangelize and provide Christian love and care.
2. To raise funds to maintain current facility and grow as more children come.
3. To meet the current needs of HIV/AIDS children and to train them in a vocation for their adult years.
4. To present the Gospel of Christ Jesus to extended families of orphans.

Needs

1. Exposure to those whom may have a heart for HIV/AIDS affected children.
2. Monthly running expenses for food, clothing and education.
3. Funds to expand their living space for future growth.
4. Personal support for Pastor John and Joyce.

Who’s Involved

1. ITMI to provide oversight and US exposure.
2. Charl van Wyk, South African missionary, along with Frontline Fellowship, is providing additional oversight and mentoring.
3. Every Nation Church and the Jere family.