[Vorstand] ewe in 2021 - a review

[Agness simooloka]

Dear Guido 

 

Greetings to you and the ewe team.  It is our prayer and hope that you are allkeeping safe and in good health.  Thetimes have drastically changed since the coming of covid.  The social aspect of humans has also beenaffected terribly as there cannot be any physical contact for fear ofcontracting the deadly and stubborn pandemic. This has for sure put the way of living upside down.  It is always our hope that a solution can befound so that life goes back to normal and we can live freely as social beings.

 

Reverting to your reflection on ewe, itis true that the past two years have not been as friendly as the past ones. Somuch changed due to the pandemic.  Justat the time we were set and ready to send the volunteers for 2020 then the atmospherechanged, of course it was something beyond our control, and the exchange wascancelled, the expectant and motivated volunteer could not take part in theintercultural exchange.  This was done inthe interest of everyone; an objective decision had to be arrived at.  Much as this was a good move, it came withits consequences, especially when it came to finding work placements by theSDFV and host families, like you put it. However, the tireless commitment of Irmela and her team cannot beoverlooked for sure.  They have alwaysbeen on the ground to do the best whole heartedly.

 

On our end, the beginning of 2021 was coveredwith a dark cloud due to the demise of the Bishop, Mr. Solomon Phiri and Marialater in the year (MTSRIP).  Their inputin ewe remains a story which will always be told in their honor.  It was at a time we did not anticipate thatanyone of them would answer the heavenly call and leave this earth forgood.  It was not so easy to pick upourselves as a team and continue with the race as a department.  The gap was big to fill up immediately.  Nonetheless, the team spirit and cohesivenesssaw us through the thick clouds and there was light again.  The team in Zambia did its best to see to itthat the spirit and light of ewe was kept alive until the time when Fr. ZuluPhilemon was assigned to take care of the affairs of the department.  Together we shall for sure keep, rekindle thehope and let the ewe spirit continue in the Diocese.  For the first time we had to conduct theselection of the Zambian volunteers virtually. Though it worked out, it was a direction which was dictated by the newnormal way of living where gatherings are restricted time and again.  Through all this kind of atmosphere wemanaged to send two volunteers to Germany for the 2021/2022 experience and weindeed look forward to welcoming Johana to Zambia.  We hope that nothing will come in the way sothat this intervention to materialize. 

 

Despite the denied physical partnermeeting the past two year, we were still privileged to interact virtually, thisinitiative brought us together and the future of the program could still beaddressed appropriately.  It is our hopethat Schulfee project will stabilize under the care of the ewe team.  We are so thankful that the family and friendsof Maria decided to honor her with a donation towards the support of Schulfee.

 

The past two years where not easy but we,both teams, worked to the best of our abilities to come this far and for surewe can say that we were successful.

 
As the Zambian team we continue lookingforward to a health and fruitful partnership and we wish everyone on the ewe crew a fruitfull, health, joyous and peaceful year ahead.
Till then
Regards
Agnes on behalf of the ewe Zambian Team

    On Friday, December 24, 2021, 06:04:46 PM GMT+2, Guido Schürenberg <guido.schuerenberg at eine-welt-erleben.de> wrote:  
 
 Dear ewe Board, dear ewe Team in Zambia,
The past year brought many upheavals, farewells, challenges and new 
beginnings for all of us.
Unfortunately, we were not able to send any German volunteers due to the 
pandemic situation. And we have noticed that other providers of 
international voluntary services are also having increasing difficulties 
in filling the available positions, as these are already particularly 
highly motivated young people who accept the challenges of an 
intercultural learning and exchange year in a foreign culture. However, 
it is precisely these that we want to address and sustainably involve in 
our partnership.
On the one hand, the Zambian volunteers' placement in Aachen opens up a 
new environment and new placement sites for our work; on the other hand, 
we have to find, motivate and accompany new host families in this 
environment. I would especially like to thank the tireless Irmela for 
her patience and creativity. Our special concept of integrating Zambian 
volunteers in German host families is observed with interest by other 
organisations and the expertise of Irmela, Silja and Evans is gladly 
accepted in the SDFV.
The death of Solomon Phiri and Maria Wiertz, two people who have shaped 
and accompanied the One World Engagement, was particularly painful for 
us. They will remain in our memories.
The vacancy in the Zambian team was filled well and with commitment by 
Agnes and George. With the entry of Father Philemon Zulu as Director of 
Caritas Monze, the personnel foundation for a trusting and sustainable 
cooperation of the German and Zambian ewe is now complete again.
Due to the pandemic situation, we have not had any board meetings or 
partner visits for 2 years, but video conferencing has significantly 
improved our communication.
After I left the student chaplaincy in the KHG-Aachen, the project work 
in the ewe got a new and successful impulse by taking over the project 
Schoolfee-Zambia, which was previously administered there. Thanks to 
Lukas, who as co-initiator of Schulfee-Sambia now continues this task in 
the ewe. On the occasion of her death, Maria's relatives and friends 
supported this work with a large donation, entirely in her spirit.
Next year we will finally be able to send another volunteer to Zambia. 
Selection, accompaniment and administration of this service is a great 
challenge for us volunteers. Thanks to Helen and Yoko for their tireless 
commitment. From the coming sending year, Monika will also have a new 
task in accompanying the parents.
The work in both teams in Germany and Zambia needs new committed young 
people who, as former volunteers, live the idea of ewe and are committed 
to shaping intercultural exchange. In the new year, Helen and I will 
therefore launch a commitment initiative among the former volunteers.
Together we have tackled the challenges of this year as ewe in Germany 
and Zambia with a lot of commitment and successfully. Thank you all very 
much for that!
Our commitment is to work for a more just and loving world - or as the 
United Nations has named it as a global development goal - the good life 
for all people in the "common home" (Pope Francis).

These days we celebrate Christmas, the feast of the Incarnation. May 
this world become a little more human in the coming year through the 
commitment of all of us.

I wish you all, your families and the people who are important to you a 
blessed Christmas and a healthy, happy and peaceful New Year.

Guido

-- 
Guido Schürenberg
ewe-Vorsitzender
www.eine-welt-erleben.de
52305 Düren
Postfach 100523


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