Furnishing Families International
You may not know this, but Furnishing Families of Texas is technically a subgroup of Furnishing Families International! Our eyes are set on impacting the world, even though we are starting with our own backyard. In the past, we have partnered with outreaches in England, and we are making friends all over the world. It is a joy for us to introduce you to a new relationship that has provided a special opportunity for global impact. This ministry in Zambia, Africa helps orphans and young people at risk, a mission very close to our heart.
We met Dr. Mayaba S. Choongo through our friends and regional partners, Stepping Stones. Dr. Mayaba shared about the needs for her organization Dream Kidz Zambia, which provides education, social work, discipleship, and community outreach to the youth in the region, primarily in Malala Village and a nearby region.
Everything started when Dr. Mayaba and her husband Dr. Hamoonga H. Choongo opened their home and lives to young people in 2003. They hosted prayer meetings, led many local children to Jesus and walked them through spiritual deliverance, especially from the grip of witchcraft. They provided mentorship and financial support where they could. One of their first triumphs was a young girl. “We supported her from high school to college,” Dr. Mayaba said. “Now she holds a good job and is reaching out to support others too!” This type of empowerment, along with Christian discipleship, propelled them to begin Dream Kidz Zambia.
In Malala Village, they create relationships with the local 300+ children, many who are orphaned or at risk, through community outreach programs, donating school supplies, and more. In 2018, they created their own school a few hours away which has a day school for both boys and girls, but also has a girls' boarding program, as well. Some from the Malala village now attend this school. There are orphans who commute from the local orphanage to attend their school, as well.
The new boarding program for girls meets a dire need. Some of these youth leave abusive situations at home or come directly from an orphanage. Dr. Choongo has witnessed firsthand the vulnerability of school age girls in Zambia, with issues of abuse, bondage and child marriage being prevalent in the country. Dr. Choongo told us, “Many of the children had never slept on their own bed or experienced electricity and running water!” She added, “They are now at our boarding school learning about Jesus and aiming high in school.”
The Choongo’s have seen the results of faithfully investing in the next generation, spanning back to the early days of mentoring from their home. As she recounts the relationships over the years, she can name more than 20 young people who have now graduated college.
Furnishing Families was able to provide resources that Dr. Mayaba personally packed and brought with her on a trip to Zambia from her local base in Texas. The Care package included multiple sets of school supplies, 94 Bibles, 39 bags/backpacks, multiple pairs of rain boots and 20 bedding sets (10 for boys and 10 for girls).
We also provided 300 jerseys for a soccer program that they began for the community and the school. This has also become an outreach tool to identify children in the community near their school who can be paired with a sponsor to attend the program. There are about 100 children who live near their school. Soccer can be a vehicle to pull children away from crime and create opportunities for mentorship. This program also helps to identify and develop local talent, potentially becoming a career path and a road out of poverty for some. Last fall, Dr. Mayaba coordinated a soccer tournament and after the event, held an evangelistic crusade to preach the gospel.
We love the heart behind the Dream Kidz Zambia mission and want to feature Dr. Mayaba’s work to our network. There exist multiple needs for the school: sponsorship for more girls’ attendance in the boarding program, a dormitory, beds, lockers, and the completed construction of a dining hall. The boarding school has a capacity for 100, but currently has 27 boys and girls attending, 20 commuting and 7 girls in the boarding housing. Per local government disease control regulations, the dining hall must be completed before the full capacity of the boarding school can be opened. Once constructed, Dr. Mayaba expects sponsorships and attendance to soon follow. She shares, “We will serve the community with food.” They will also use the space for worship and outreach. “Praying for revival.”
When making a donation through our site, place the name “Dream Kidz” or “Dr. Mayaba” in the portion of “Who is this donation in honor of?” and we will make sure they receive the funds. You can CLICK HERE to give. You can also mail a check directly to: He Touched Me Ministries, 736 Pheasant Rd, Saginaw TX 76131. To learn more about the program, visit: http://www.dreamkidz.orgg. You can also learn more about Dr. Choongo, her ministry, and teaching resources at www.mayabachoongo.com.
Furnishing Families INTERNATIONAL looks forward to more ways we can serve the global partners that God highlights, as well as continuing to serve the domestic communities in our backyard. Thank you for your involvement with us. We are excited to see what more God brings in 2023 for both Dallas/Fort Worth and Zambia!