The last year has been really exciting and we at Funsani would like to close the year by sharing a story from Mzyi, one of the children who has grown up at the home. We wish you a wonderful festive season and a happy new year and we hope Mzyi's message will inspire you into the new year. Read his story below...
Mzyi:
"For as long as I can remember, I’ve grown up at Funsani Home – with lots of brothers and sisters. It’s a place where I’ve been encouraged to be kind, to be compassionate, and that I matter. With Zambia being a predominantly Christian nation, it’s no surprise that we were raised to believe in God, his love, and that everything and everyone on this Earth matters.
I am under no illusions about how fortunate I am to have been raised in a loving home with a mother and father figure, family, access to clean water, nutritional sustenance, and education. But I also recognise that not everyone is as fortunate.
Despite growing up in a nurturing home, we were never shielded from the world around us. As I got older, I became increasingly aware of my circumstances but also those of others within the community I have grown to call home.
I believe that there are two types of people in life: those that see suffering and injustice and choose to do nothing about it, and those that are moved to make a change or difference, no matter how small or insignificant it might seem. Being acutely aware of how much other people have done and sacrificed to help me to become the young man I am today has had a significant impact in inspiring me to give back to the community.
I have been fortunate to meet young like-minded people who collectively have decided to do something to better the community we grew up in. This is why Xpress V.O.V was born.
V.O.V stands for “voice of the voiceless”. Together, our 35-strong membership of youths ranging between the ages of 12 and 25 came together in 2016 with a common goal to leverage various art forms (dance, song, poetry, and drama) to nurture and educate other youths about worldly vices such as drug abuse, drinking, unsafe sex, and more generally against any activities that may prove potentially destructive to their futures.
Having grown up in loving and nurturing homes, myself and fellow co-founders were keen to instil a sense of community and family within the group. In doing so, our members feel a sense of belonging and are able to more freely share stories of their pains, worries, joys, and successes. Above all else, we strive to ensure every member feels valued, and that they are comfortable to just be themselves, without prior judgements of any social status.
We take great pride in our faith and beliefs, and take appropriate time during our meetings to discuss bible scriptures and share what these mean to us. Beyond these meetings, we also take part in various events across the year – some of which we organise – to showcase the various artistic talents within our group.
We also have various outreach programmes, one of which is to help out at Sararose Children Foundation in Nkana East, Kitwe. As part of our outreach a few times a year, a group of members visits the orphanage with donated clothes and amenities, and we spend the day playing games and generally having fun with the wonderful children.
I love visiting the orphanage! There’s something very magical about spending time with children who are full of hope and aspirations for the future. I also find it quite empowering and humbling to have the opportunity to mould the next generation of young adults.
Although it’s only been three years, it has been an incredible journey to date. I hope we continue to inspire and empower young people to mould their own destinies and to believe that the world truly is their oyster!"
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