As a relief package amid the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, the Zambian government has given churches a sum of 25 Million out of the 50 Million Kwacha has set aside to empower local churches.
As said by Minister of National Guidance and Religious Affairs, Godfridah Sumaili, the government is aware of the challenges that churches and Religious organisations are facing due to the outbreak of the pandemic, hence the need to establish an empowerment scheme that will keep them running.
During the launch of the Churches, Religious and Faith Based Organisations empowerment scheme in Lusaka, Reverend Sumaili disclosed the news. In his words he said:
“The funds will support already existing charity programmes which have severely been affected among other empowerment schemes.”
The aim of the package is to benefit more churches, religious and faith based organisations. The Minister added that the government understands that by helping the churches, the communities in need are also being taken care of hence the strict monitoring of the funds in the churches.
While commenting further, Reverend Sumaili said: “The government decided to support the empowerment scheme, because the church and other faith based organisations have been supplementing the government’s efforts in social and economic activities.”
With this, Reverend Sumaili implored all men of God to desist from partisan politics, urging them to instead preach peace and unity especially as the country heads to the polls.
