THE GRACE CENTRE

The Situation

There is only one crossing between the Southern African country of Zambia and neighboring Botswana, which is in the town of Kazungula. The Zambezi River flows between the two countries, and all vehicles must be carried over on a pontoon. Commercial trucks wait in a queue for up to 10 days, during which time the drivers play cards, listen to music, and way too often, entice vulnerable young girls and women to “entertain” them. This is much easier than it should be in an extremely impoverished town with a history of sexual abuse and child marriage. With no alternative sources of income, many girls and young women become victims.

Kazungula has over 90% unemployment with a per capita income of less than fifty cents per day. Less than 15% of all children reach secondary school, and the rate for girls is usually even lower than that. Attending secondary school requires the payment of school fees, which most families cannot afford. With no education and no chance of employment, many girls in their teens marry young and/or fall prey to sexual abuse and prostitution.

There are no vocational training programs in Kazungula or the surrounding villages, and traveling to other towns, such as Livingstone, is not a possibility for all these girls.

What Could Possibly Be Done to Help

The only permanent answer identified by community leaders was an opportunity for training, and in some case, the fund to complete secondary education. The founders of the Lushomo Trust identified 3 areas where trained young women can find employment—tailoring, computer work, and food preparation. They opened Grace Centre for counseling and training. They have ambitious goals, but so far, only the tailoring program has funds, and they have enrolled 30 young girls and women. There are funds to build the food preparation school and restaurant, a first for Kazungula! However, funds are needed for the equipment and training. Some computers have been acquired to date, but funds are needed for training. Trained graduates will be highly employable at the local customs offices, as well as tourist hotels and lodges around Livingstone.

Your support matters

Global Grant

The Rotary Club of Ventura, California and the Rotary Club of Livingstone, Zambia have teamed up to create a global grant initiative. The grant application (GG1866010) details where the monies will be spent for this project. The funds will be
distributed over a three-year period.

The Global Grant has been approved and we have just completed our second-year Interim Report. Due to the world-wide pandemic, some of our initiatives were placed on hold. However, we are happy to report that the Grace Centre is open and that the restaurant and catering services have begun.

Below are some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the grant. We encourage you to review and email us with any questions.

+ Where can I review the global grant application?

You can review the draft application at the Grants Center on the rotary.org web site. The global grant number is: 1866010.

+ What is the total budget?

The total budget is $169,800.

+ Who will be responsible for the management of the funds?

The Rotary Club of Livingstone has formed a committee to manage all aspects of this project. The committee will consist of:

A project leader who will be responsible for the overall execution of the project. The project leader will coordinate with other committee members, liaison with personnel of The Grace Centre, and be the lead person in interacting with members of Rotary International.
A project administrator who will be responsible for all documentation and record keeping.
A project manager who will be managing the purchase and delivery of all restaurant, catering, and computer goods. The project manager will also make bi-monthly visits to The Grace Centre to assure that all equipment is well-maintained.
A project financial officer who will assure that the funds are managed and distributed as agreed to by the terms of the global grant.

+ How will The Grace Centre be self-sufficient?

The expectation is that both the restaurant/catering and the tailoring operations will be revenue producers. These revenues will be used to train more girls, to allow more girls to receive their secondary diploma, and to expand the job placement efforts. In addition, the Livingstone community leaders supporting this project have strong ties with large local donors, who have expressed interest in providing ongoing funding for the The Grace Centre once it is a reality.

+ What kind of goods will be produced at The Grace Centre?

The tailoring school at the center is already producing school uniforms for the local community. Additionally, The Grace Centre staff are negotiating with the Board of Education to be the preferred vendor for all school uniforms. The long-term plan is for The Grace Centre to house a clothing design/manufacturing studio that will provide specialty clothing for women in Livingstone and in the nearby country of Botswana.

+ How can we be sure that the graduates will gain employment?

There is a lack of skilled workers in the area, and tourism is growing rapidly. Graduates of The Grace Centre can find employment at local tourist establishments. In addition, girls who receive their secondary school diploma in addition to training at The Grace Centre will be eligible for employment in local government offices, in a new hospital nearing completion, and in restaurant services and management.

+ What clubs are currently contributing to the grant?

The following clubs supported the global grant:

Cambria
Culver City
Districts: 5240, 5440, 9210
Fort Collins, CO
Hermosa Beach
Livingstone
Malibu
Manhattan Beach
Montecito
Moorpark
Newbury Park
North Stafford, VA
Ojai
Ojai West
Paso Robles
San Luis Obispo
Santa Paula
Simi Sunrise
Simi Sunset
Solvang
Thousand Oaks
Ventura
Ventura South
Woodland Hills And
Mr. Gary Gutchess

The Grace Centre Project

High School Sponsorship

The Grace Centre is a new initiative in Kazungula, Zambia which will be supported by a Rotary Global Grant. The goal is to help young women at risk for sexual exploitation and early marriage by training them in vocations where they can find employment—computer work, tailoring, and food preparation.

About 80% of girls in Zambia are currently unemployed. There are 2 contributing factors—a lack of training in an employable skill, and a lack of secondary school education. The costs associated with secondary schooling is beyond the means of most families, and if funding is possible, boys are the priority. Many of the girls at The Grace Centre could finish high school if funds were available.

While the Rotary Global Grant will provide the critical skills training, school fees are not allowed as part of the grant. Therefore, we are seeking individual and Rotary Club donations for the sponsorships.

+ How will the girls be selected?

The Grace Centre will be managed by an established NGO called The Lushomo Trust. The Grace Centre Working Committee is comprised of Lushomo Trust board members, guidance counselors/teachers from local schools and the various village councils. They will approve applicants based on their financial need, aptitude, and desire for future studies.

+ What are the costs and what is covered?

For the 2023 school year which will start in January, we have created a two-tier structure. Individuals and/or clubs can choose supporting a young girl attending the Riverview Day School ($325.00) or they can support a young girl at the Kazungula Boarding Schhol ($580.00)..

A yearly sponsorship includes text books, materials, two school uniforms, PTA fees, and administrative fees.

Renewing the sponsorship each year will help motivate the girls to excel in the school and The Grace Centre program—it will also provide the opportunity to reevaluate the worthiness of each recipient.

+ What information about the girls will we receive?

The Grace Centre Working Committee will send information about the girls that you (or your Rotary Club) sponsor as well as photographs. In addition, everyone will receive school progress reports and personal letters from the girls.

+ How will the funds be managed?

The charitable arm of the Rotary Club of Ventura, California—The Julius Gius Memorial Rotary Foundation, a 501(c)—will receive the sponsorship funds and transfer them to the Rotary Club of Livingstone, who will then dispense the funds to the schools with the assistance of The Grace Centre Working Committee.

+ How do I donate, and are funds tax deductible?

All funds are tax deductible. To donate, please write a check to the Julius Gius Memorial Foundation for either $500.00 (Kazungula Boarding)or $325.00 (Riverview Day) for each student you would like to sponsor, and on the memo line, please include The Grace Centre. Mail the check to:

Julius Gius Memorial Foundation
PO Box 2100
Ventura, CA 93002-2100

If you have additional questions, please email George Poulakos of the Rotary Club of Ventura at gjpoulakos@gmail.com, or call him at 954-494-4387.