The Central Statistical Office construction is three years behind schedule to completion because of the work rate of the bricklayers. The contractor told Mr. Jonas Shakufuswa, the Finance Deputy Minister that when they tendered for the project they were basing it on the work rate of Chinese bricklayers who make 300 bricks per day. But the Zambian bricklayers the contractor employed make only 60 bricks per day. Mr. Shakafuswa expressed concern about the attitude of some Zambian workers saying, “We need to get rid of that paradise attitude and work hard as ministers, civil servants and as farmers and wherever you may be. We need to make sure that even if we work from 08:00 hours to 17:00 hours, the hours that we put in are effective efforts and we tick.” (Post, March 4 ).
There are many people who fit Shakafuswa’s description in our country. They live in poverty because they make 60 bricks per day when they should be making 300. What will it take to pull such people out of poverty? How do we help them get out poverty? How do we get their mind cleared from being a bricklayer to being the owner of a construction company? How do we help our people living in poverty to get healing from thinking that they are not victims and so they should start acting as victors? How do we give them a dream for a future and hope? These are critical questions our leaders ought to be asking in their cabinet meetings.
The causes of poverty are many in our nation. They include lack of resources, lack of ability to work together as community and failure for communities to mobilize themselves for the purpose to wield meaningful political influence. Nehemiah faced some of these challenges. He prayed and wept over the disgrace of his nation. God blessed him with vision and wisdom. Through the wealth of the Persian Empire and careful preparation Nehemiah was able to motivate the Jews. As the walls rose, so did the expectations of Jews living in Jerusalem. They saw the rebuilt walls as a sign that God had not forsaken them and was ready to restore their lives.
Through the wealth of the Chinese and Indian investors we too can rebuild the economic walls of Zambia. Through the wealth of USA (PEPFAR and Global Funds), we too can carry out extensive activities that can reduce and prevent further spread of HIV/AIDS and malaria. The challenge we face is, do we have Nehemiahs’ in the nation to motivate the Zambians who are most affected by poverty to make 300 bricks instead of 60 per day? Do we have Nehemiahs’ to motivate Zambians who are most affected by HIV/AIDS to respond to AIDS pandemic with courage and hope that one day we will be a nation free from AIDS? As long as it is the Chinese or the Indians or the Americans providing the motivation we will remain victims and will not move to being victors. This Easter, let us remind each other that Jesus died to give our value back as human beings. He rose from the dead to give us a compelling hope to end every doubt about His Kingdom-His resurrection moved us from the status of a victim to the trail of a victor.
Lawrence Temfwe
