Excel Beyond Hosts Career Seminar for Potential Students

On the verge of the first days of spring, the anticipation of something new begins to build. This is a season of hope, promise and longing: highlighted by a focused charisma toward ambitious imagination. 

Having successfully graduated from high school, 250 teenagers converge at the Legacy Center to develop the necessary knowledge and skills to begin building a career. For the seventh year since its inception, Excel

 Beyond hosted an annual seminar to introduce potential university and trades students to a variety of vocational possibilities. The Ministry of Education, Northrise University, APEX University, Lusaka Trades and Zamcom were invited guests who had the opportunity to impart knowledge on the students and introduce some academic programs their schools have to offer. This was accompanied by several Family Legacy staff members who shared storied of their vocational journeys. 

“This is a good idea because many students pick career paths because of peer pressure and not really because they are passionate about a specific profession. Having a seminar like this is great because they get to hear real success stories from real professionals that will open up their minds to make more informed career decisions.” — Deborah C., Deputy Program Manager of Job Placements, Excel Beyond.

“The most important thing is that you fear God above everything else. That is the most important thing in life, even about a career. Make sure that patience, perseverance and prayer define your lives.” —Chikondi Phiri, Country Director

“I am very grateful because I now have a better understanding of the wisest way to pursue the career I want in medicine. This was informative for me and I will not forget the good advice to always be in prayer and to persevere through the hard and uncertain times.” — Misheck N., Foundation Year Student

The post Preparing For a Dream Career appeared first on Family Legacy Missions International.

Camp Life is the cornerstone of Family Legacy’s mission to transform the lives of vulnerable and orphaned children in Lusaka, Zambia. It also serves as the entry point for every child who attends our program. This weeklong event is filled with singing, dancing, playing and fellowship — but most importantly, children are taught that there is a God that loves them more than they could ever know.

Let’s look back at Summer 2017. We hosted Camp Life for more than 3,000 children, and the theme was “God is my Father”. For children who had never attended camp before, this was the first time they heard that message. For others, the week served as a critical reminder of the hope and joy found in their Creator.

We have stated many times that our mission at Family Legacy is for children to reach their God-given potential. However, our prayer is that every child that leaves camp becomes a light for Christ in his or her community and brings others to His Kingdom. Every soul that is won for Christ is a cause for celebration.

Through sponsorship in our Legacy Academy program, you are making it possible for children to continue to grow and nurture their faith. Here are some ways we cultivate this growth:

Weekly Bible Classes 

All children who attend Legacy Academy receive 1-2 Bible classes per week taught by the discipleship staff. The curriculum currently used is called “Disciple One”, which teaches the children about the Bible and what it means to follow Jesus. It also addresses the unique needs that vulnerable children in our program may have.

Spiritual Programs in Legacy Academy Schools & Government Schools 

In our Legacy Academy schools, children can ask discipleship staff for prayer or biblical guidance on issues they are having personally or at home. Our discipleship staff is equipped to help children work through trauma and other difficulties they may face by applying the Word of God to a child’s life. Discipleship staff receives training from our counseling/psychosocial department on how to assess a child’s level of trauma and how to best intervene. Legacy Academy children receive devotionals in God’s Word from various staff members during school assemblies 2-3 times per week.

Even though children at government schools are not attending our campuses, we are intentional about making sure their spiritual needs are met, too. About 3-4 times per year, Family Legacy discipleship staff will host outreach events in 15 partner churches across Lusaka for government schoolchildren. These events last about three hours long and will include worship, a sermon and small group discussions. We have had hundreds of decisions for Christ come out of these events! We also seek to connect government school children with an Evangelical church in their community.

Partnership with Local Churches

In addition to partnering with the 15 churches mentioned above for government school outreach, we are also inviting churches to meet in our Legacy Academy schools on Sunday mornings. We have secured five new partnerships in 2021 alone and hope to partner with more in the future for sponsored children and their guardians to attend. For Legacy Academy children, government school children and their guardians to be able to connect with these churches multiplies our discipleship efforts immensely!

Guardian Outreach 

When you choose to sponsor a child, your sponsorship goes beyond the holistic care of the child — it touches the life of the child’s guardian, as well. Several times a year, guardians come to the Legacy Academy schools for various reasons, such as training in personal hygiene, parent/teacher conferences and other opportunities. While the guardians are present, the discipleship staff preaches the gospel to them! Some guardians are involved in “village banking” groups we have launched across communities in Lusaka. These participants come to learn about personal finance and the importance of saving and investing. They also receive a devotional lesson.

Addressing the spiritual needs of children in our program is essential. As a sponsor, you play a unique role when you pray by name for the child you sponsor and share about your relationship with God.

We are blessed to share the love of God and the purpose He has for each and every child with the thousands of children we serve in our program. We believe that when children discover that they are known and loved by God and that he has a plan for them, they find a new hope and purpose for their lives.

Choosing to sponsor a child today can give a child in Zambia, Africa a brighter future, will you join us today as a sponsor? Sponsor a child by visiting familylegacy.com/sponsorachild today!

The post How Sponsorship Impacts Children Spiritually  appeared first on Family Legacy Missions International.

Zambia is located in the southern region of the African continent, bordered by 8 different countries including Angola, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Namibia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, Malawi, and Botswana. Lusaka, the capital city is located in the central part of the country and also happens to be the most populous due to the jobs and infrastructures that it contains. While being one of the second largest producers of copper, Zambia ranks among other countries with the highest levels of poverty and inequality globally. Approximately more than 58% of Zambia’s population earns less than the international poverty line average of $1.90 a day.

At Family Legacy, we seek to help families and children break the cycle of poverty and serve heavily in 17 different communities that surround Lusaka, where many of the families afflicted by poverty live. Having an understanding and knowledge of the communities and where the children live and are exposed by is important to help connect and encourage a student as they pursue an education and rise out of poverty.

Each community has different unique factors depending on location, tribes, and difficulties they face. Outlined below are specifically the communities that Family Legacy operates around and we are excited to share some interesting and important information about them with you.

Bauleni Key Facts:

• Southeast region of Lusaka
• The average number of members per household: 5
• Children in Bauleni Legacy Academy Program: 527
• Community Struggles: Alcoholism, Drugs, High Poverty Levels, Unwanted Pregnancies

Chaisa Key Facts: 

• The northern region of Lusaka
• Approx. Population: 19,858
• The average number of members per household: 8
• Children in Chaisa Legacy Academy Program: 586
• Community Struggles: Alcoholism, Prostitution, Violence, Drugs, Poverty

Chawama Key Facts: 

• Southwest region of Lusaka
• Approx. Population:
• The average number of members per household: 8
• Children in Chawama Legacy Academy Program: 1035
• Community Struggles: Poor sanitation,  alcoholism, drug use, female education

Chainda Key Facts: 

• Eastern region of Lusaka
• The average number of members per household: 6
• 1500 children in Chainda Legacy Academy Program
• Community Struggles: Theft,  Drug abuse, Alcoholism

Garden Key Facts: 

• Southwest region of Lusaka
• The average number of members per household: 7
• Approx. 800 students in the Garden Legacy Academy program
• Community Struggles: Lack of basic facilities, unemployment/poverty, alcoholism

George 

• The western region of Lusaka
• The average number of members per household: 7-9
• Approx. 589 students in the George LA program
• Community Struggles: importance on education, crime, early marriages/early pregnancies

Ibex Hill 

• The western region of Lusaka
• The average number of members per household: 6
• Approx. 500 students in Ibex Hill LA program
• Community Struggles: illiteracy, poverty, alcoholism

John Leing

• Northwest region of Lusaka
• The average number of members per household: 8
• Approx. 450 students in John Leing LA program
• Community Struggles: child labor, hunger, alcoholism, early pregnancy

Kabanana

• The northern region of Lusaka
• The average number of members per household: 9
• Approx. 700 students in the Kabanana LA program
• Community Struggles: unemployment, electricity/ bad, alcoholism, child abuse

Kamanga

• Northwest region of Lusaka
• The average number of members per household: 8
• Approx. 450 students in Kamanga LA program
• Community Struggles: alcoholism/drugs, prostitution, early pregnancies, unemployment

Kanyama 

• The western region of Lusaka
• Approx. population: 160,000
• The average number of members per household: 6
• Approx. 420 students in Kanyama 1 LA program
• Community struggles: poor quality houses, poor sanitation, crime, drug abuse

Lusaka West

•  Western Region of Lusaka 
• The average number of members per household: 10
• Approx. 750 students in the Lusaka West LA program
• Community Struggles: lack of running water, alcoholism, teenage pregnancies

Matero

• Northwestern Region of Lusaka
• Approx population: 55,629
• The average number of members per household: 6
• Approx. 362 students in the Matero LA program
• Community Struggles: alcoholism, drug use, poor sanitation, unemployment

Misisi

• The southeastern region of Lusaka
• Approx. population: 80,000+
• The average number of members per household: 8
• Approx. 900 students in the Misisi LA program
• Community struggles: unemployment, alcohol/drug abuse, teen pregnancy

Mtendere

• The western region of Lusaka
• The average number of members per household: 9
• Approx. 600 students in Mtendere LA program
• Community struggles: Lack of water, alcoholism, early marriages, poverty

Ngombe

• The northern region of Lusaka
• The average number of members per household: 6
• Approx. 400 students in Ngombe LA program
• Community struggles: unemployment, drug abuse, early child marriages, single mother households

To learn more about Zambia and how you can get involved, send us an email at sponsorships@familylegacy.com.

The post Overview of the Communities we serve in Lusaka appeared first on Family Legacy Missions International.

Letter writing is an amazing way to build a connection between you and your sponsored student. Want to know how you can put a smile on their face? You received some information about your student’s community, program, and country that they would be so impressed and happy you learned!

They have so much to share with you and there is a lot we are sure you want to share about your family. Some things to share would be:

1. Introduce your family
2. Talk about your occupation
3. Where you live
4. Share your favorite Bible verse
5. Write your prayer for them

Click here to access your account and write a letter to your sponsored child. You can also attach a photo of your family for them to see.

Thank you to all of our sponsors who partner with us to impact and uplift the students in our program. Together we are empowering them to live up to their God-given potential.

The post How to Write a Letter to Your Student to Put a Smile on Their Face appeared first on Family Legacy Missions International.

Did you know that Family Legacy staffs over 900 Zambians that make our programs, schools, and experiences work successfully? Our amazing staff is passionate about their work and ensures that your sponsored student is cared for at all times.

Teachers: At the forefront of your sponsored students’ education, our teachers are trained frequently throughout the year on best teaching practices and learning strategies to best equip Family Legacy students. We believe we have some of the best teachers in Zambia, preparing your sponsored student for their greatest potential.

Social services: Child safety is one of our top priorities for the students in our program. The Social Services department ranges from child protection officers who go into the community to check on students and their families to community development officers who engage our students and families with different resources to meet needs.

Discipleship Staff: Helping our students embrace and live out the gospel is at the heart of our ministry. Through structured discipleship classes, Bible studies, and other group meetings, students learn the scriptures and how to apply them to their lives. The love of Christ is also personified through the care and nurturing of our staff who daily invest in their growth and development.

This is simply a glimpse of a few of the pivotal roles within our ministry. We are so thankful to serve alongside such passionate and committed staff members who serve the children in our program daily.

We have several students in our program who are in need of a sponsor to come alongside them. Will you join us and sponsor a child today?

https://give.familylegacy.com/sponsorachild/

The post We Couldn’t Do it Without Our Team appeared first on Family Legacy Missions International.

More than just school buildings, our Legacy Academy program takes a multi-faceted approach to education and holistic care. The Legacy Academy network of schools is our largest program and serves more than 12,000 students in primary and secondary grades. From school uniforms, textbooks, school supplies, daily meals, and more, we provide the necessary tools for students to begin their education journey.

We are proud that our schools are filled with excellent teachers, a diverse curriculum, a feeding program to keep our students and their families nourished, and spiritual and emotional care that is specifically unique to the Family Legacy approach.

The Legacy Academy school network includes 26 private-Christian schools in 17 communities surrounding Lusaka, each filled with a dedicated staff to help students reach their God-given potential intellectually, emotionally, spiritually and physically.

The post Get to Know the Legacy Academy Program appeared first on Family Legacy Missions International.

At Family Legacy, we believe that transformational and generational change is complex, but with God’s grace, all things are possible.

We’ve seen the impact our programs and sponsorship have on the lives of the beautiful children we get the honor to serve.

• Be intentional about your relationship with your student (About your student and about you)
• Find commonalities between you (Hobbies, goals, careers)
• Try to learn as much as you can about their culture
• Remember what it was like when you were their age
• Write a letter and share a photo of you and your family  |  To do so follow these instructions:

Go to your account then insert your email and password

Click on my sponsored children then next to the selected child click the 3 lines and then write a letter.

You will then be redirected, write a letter and attach a photo.

Pray for your sponsored student. Here are some things to pray for:

• Family
• School
• Health

It is our deepest desire for you to build a strong relationship with your sponsored student. The role you play as their sponsor is incomparable to anything you can imagine. Thank you for sacrificing your time and resources to help a student in Zambia, Africa.

If you don’t currently sponsor a child, and you would like to join us visit, https://give.familylegacy.com/sponsorachild/

The post How to Get the most out of your sponsorship with Family Legacy appeared first on Family Legacy Missions International.

Meet Nelly, she is a bright young lady who is continuing to reach her God-given potential as she serves in our schools as a teacher with a full-circle story of our program. Nelly is now an inspiration to the children in our program because her story is a lot like theirs.

At just three years old Nelly lost her father. Her mother, a housekeeper, struggled to take care of her and could not afford to take her to school. At that point, she believed she would never be able to attend school and get an education.

In 2004, at just 8 years old, Nelly was able to attend Camp Life and met her ambassadors, Sara and Holly Scurry who lead her to Christ during camp. She recalls “In 2004, I never knew Jesus Christ. I never had hope and I never thought I would have any hope. I was very glad that my ambassadors saw what God saw in me rather than only what I saw in myself. They started encouraging me that my life can change and that I can be somebody great in life. I was motivated by them and their sayings. And I believed in my heart that, yes, God does have an amazing plan for me and my family.”

Nelly has touched every aspect of our ministry. One of the first children sponsored in our sponsorship program and one of the first residents at the Tree of Life, she is now a teacher in our schools.

Nelly is a full-circle story.

From attending Camp Life at age 8 to a high school graduate at age 21. And now a university graduate at age 25 to a teacher working at one of our Legacy Academy schools. Nelly’s desire is to impart knowledge and help children realize that God has so much more for them than they could ever imagine.

The post The Student Becomes the Teacher appeared first on Family Legacy Missions International.