The Church is a major partner in development of education, welfare and health in Zambia. In the city of Monze many primary schools are run by religious congregations and parishes, the hospital of the city depends on the diocese. Many Home Based Care Centers and aid programs for orphans, 10% of the total population, are carried out or managed by people associated with the Church.

Xavier coordinates the construction activities of the diocese. This includes the management of the team and management of construction projects - from their genesis (expression of need) until their completion.

Violaine works in the project office of the diocese, with a young Zambian woman, Petronella. This office centralizes grant applications for various projects of the diocese, such as the City of Hope of the Salesian Sisters of Don Bosco in Mazabuka, which foresees the construction of five homes, each accommodating 12 girls and a full time “surrogate mother.” The sisters will provide for 60 girls and recreate a family atmosphere. Two houses are already practically completed and the program will start in early 2009. 

The challenge is to develop the project office with Petronella in accordance to her way of working. For the long term, I like to put in place a follow-up procedure that enables her to be autonomous when she is alone in the project office in two years.