Health and Education

Pilgrim - Salt in the Community Kalilanama near Serenje

Pilgrim - Salt in the Community” was established in 2012 by Grace and Jastin Sholoma in order to create a “Resource Village” to bring practical help and encouragement to people living in very small, widely dispersed settlements in an impoverished area in Kalilanama, Serenje District.

Chief Kabamba kindly allocated a large parcel of land for the project, and he continues to be an active supporter. A great deal has been accomplished.

The Pilgrim resource village now comprises:

A thriving school, with 150 children from Pre-Grade to Grade 6 and three teachers. Currently there are three classrooms, and the older children have their lessons in the office. All children receive a nutritious midday meal, with locally grown food, and the little ones have regular health checks. An additional bore hole has been sunk to serve the school. Priorities for the future are to build better housing for teachers, accommodation for weekly boarding for the many children who walk a very long distance to get to the school, and an additional classroom for the older children. There is an active parent teachers group and an adult literacy class for parents.

A Health Post. This is currently staffed by a volunteer nurse and local people, trained and supervised by Grace who is a registered nurse. Discussions are being held with the local health authority to take it to the next level and have a Government employed health worker.

An active church meets in the school building, with regular pastoral visits to villagers in the surrounding area.

Agricultural activity has expanded to include various field crops, a large vegetable garden and livestock, including pigs, chickens, egg production and fish farming.

We are particularly delighted to see people from the local area coming together as a thriving community and taking active roles in the project, including participating in the leadership team.