Work

 

Rev. Lilly Kudzai Phiri is a rural pastor of the United Church of Zambia in the small farming community of Chisamba. As a young minister, she works with her congregation and community, “in the most holistic way possible, finding ways in which people can improve their earthly lives through hard work, agriculture and food storage.” Rather than “leading” Rev. Phiri sees herself as “shepherding” church projects such as a church poultry farm and a venture to grow maize and beans. Since the region has experienced major flooding in the last three farming seasons these projects are a big help to the people. The church also set up a support group for those who are infected and affected by HIV/AIDS, one of the acute problems of the community.

As a woman leader, Rev. Phiri has a strong determination to empower rural women. “Most women,” she maintains, “do not usually take up leadership roles even if given that chance, due to some negative traditional beliefs. I strongly hold that women have a vital role in shaping community and family life. Women mold the lives of every child in a community and so have the crucial role of assuming that responsibility at the community level. Rural women can and should have a voice of their own instead of being passive on matters that matter most.”

Sending Organization

 

Inaugurated in 1965, the United Church of Zambia (UCZ) comprises several tribes – from the Bemba in the northeast to the Lozi in the west. UCZ runs five schools: two for girls (Chipembi, Njase), one for boys (Kafu) and two coeducational schools (Sefula, Masuku). They also operate two hospitals (Mwandi, Mbereshi) and five rural health centers (Maheba, Chipembi, Kafue, Njase, and Masuku). They carry out projects at the Synod, Presbytery, and Congregational level to try to respond to hunger, poverty, health, and education and related issues. The UCZ youth ministry consists of a Boys Brigade, a Girls Brigade, Youth Choirs, Youth Fellowship Groups, Women’s Christian Fellowship, and Men’s Christian Fellowship.