Profile

1.0 Organisation’s basic information

Name of organisation

M’thunzi registered trust whose main objective is to set up homes for people living with and without intellectual disabilities.

Registration Status

Registered with the ministry of lands under the land (Perpetual succession) act cap 186 of the laws of Zambia on 16th May 2016.

Contact persons:

Emma n. Kando 097 7 124 281 Trustee
Mildred c. Sodala 097 7 777 052 Trustee
Helen c. Muchinga 097 7 357 981 Trustee
Foster l. Lumaka 097 7 460 009 Trustee

Postal address P.O. Box 34275; Lusaka 10101, Zambia.

Email: mthunzitrust@gmail.com

Physical address Plot No 0037/446 Linda

Type of organisation: M’thunzi’s proposal is to set up homes, where children and young adults, living with intellectual disabilities, who are either abandoned or whose families cannot cope, come to live in a family-like environment, with assistants.

M’thunzi’s location: A house in Linda compound, Lusaka has been acquired. It Has five bedrooms, a large sitting room and dining room, two large playrooms, kitchen, 2 shower rooms and toilets. An outside flushable toilet is available bringing total toilets to three.

2.0 Background

In 2015, after learning about l’Arche and after staying for a while in a l’Arche community in harare, zimbabwe, four ladies in may 2016, successfully registered m’thunzi trust. L’arche is an international federation dedicated to the creation and growth of homes, programs and support networks with people living with and without intellectual disabilities. However, M’thunzi will only belong to this federation once we prove that we are following the l’Arche ideals. Worldwide there are 149 homes in 38 countries. We hope ours will be the 150th.

3.0 M’thunzi trust: the vision

To enable people living with and without intellectual disabilities to share life in a home where mutual relationships and trust in god are at the heart of their journey together and where community members celebrate the unique value of every person and recognize the need of one another.

3.1 M’thunzi trust: the mission

• To make known the gifts of people living with intellectual disabilities revealed through mutually transforming relationships.
• To foster an environment in the community that responds to the changing needs of the
• Members whilst being faithful to the core values of l’Arche’s founding story.
• To engage in our diverse cultures, working together towards a more humane society.

3.2 M’thunzi trust: the aim

The aim of M’thunzi is to enable people living with intellectual disabilities (PLID) to discover their own gifts and their place in society. PLID, especially in developing countries are “poor” in the sense that they are really left to one side. They are not considered to have worth. The aim of m’thunzi is thus to assert their value and reveal to society its own failure to honour some of its members.

3.3 M’thunzi trust: the goal

Our long-term goal is to establish homes, not only in Lusaka but in other towns throughout Zambia. The core idea is to provide a family-like environment where PLID feel this is “our” home, we belong here and we are accepted. This gives a kind of spring board for them to grow in confidence and that they have something to offer.

3.4 M’thunzi trust: objectives

• To provide a home for people living with and without intellectual disabilities
• To provide an environment in that home where they can discover their gifts and talents by participating in the activities of running a home: shopping, cooking, washing, cleaning, gardening and crafts work.
• To provide as best they can the means for their own subsistence through the sale of vegetables, chickens, and other income-generating projects.
• In this way they grow as people and are able to give to those who live with them and society in general, their gifts of the heart which PLID often excels in.

4.0 M’thunzi : funding sources

* Fundraising: pitching a tent and a table at a local church fete, we raised our seed money and opened a bank account. We hope to make this a regular feature.

• We have one local individual who has donated various amounts. He has taken keen interest in our work and is likely to be our regular donor.
• An embassy that substantially came to our aid even when we had nothing to show, is a likely source of future funding.
• An organization which bought the house for us, renovated and furnished it, believe in the work we do and will be another source of future funding.
• We have two foreign donors who boosted our coffers and have asked us to keep them abreast.

We are conscious that the current funds on hand, which we envisage will sustain the project for at least one year, can easily run out. We are also conscious that we cannot entirely depend on well-wishers. With this in mind, we put in place the following:

• Planted maize but this has been a disaster.
• We plan to rear chickens both for sale and for consumption.
• Vegetable growing is a must and there is enough room for this.
• We will look into making various crafts for sale.

We are optimistic that once people see what we are doing, they will come forward and assist.

5.0 Organization structure

• The board will have the overall responsibility. The board will comprise of the four founding trustees who will invite a doctor, a lawyer, a nurse, a psychologist, a physiotherapist, and others.
• They will choose a community leader. The community leader will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the community as well as the relationship with the board and through them with the local government and other relevant authorities.
• The assistants and other support staff will report to the community leader.

6.0 Concrete and measurable targets

• After one year we will see the progress made by the PLID in personal worth and confidence.
• We will see those who live with them rejoicing in the experience, even though there will be difficult moments and frustrations.
• We will see acceptance in the host community.

7.0 Monitoring and evaluation

• There will be monthly assessments of each PLID by the assistants who will be assisted by consultations with psychologists, physiotherapists, and other professionals.
• The quality of care will also be assessed by relevant local medical authorities.
• There will be weekly community meetings for each one to speak their mind on all issues. Members of the board will regularly visit the community to listen to the members.
• There will be a strong emphasis in the first 12 months on finding ways of supporting the community in the long run.

8.0 Specific risks and challenges

• The main challenge is sustainability but we believe that once we have started we will gather momentum to sustain the home.
• Transport will also be a problem if someone falls sick but again the local clinic is within walking distance.

9.0 Conclusion

The founding trustees view this project as a calling to dispel prejudice addressed towards those who are different. This notion will be instilled in the assistants. We believe that our concept is unique. Care of people with disabilities is often seen as providing shelter, food, medical attention and basic care – all this is good. What M’thunzi hopes to offer is all of these things and the opportunity to have a real home atmosphere.