Habitat for Humanity Zambia Staff Build is designed to allow Habitat staff to give a helping hand to those in need. Work undertaken included mixing building sand and cement to make mortar, brick-laying, off-loading bricks from trucks, backfilling and plastering. HFH Zambia built a house for Tinenenji Zulu on 27 November 2009 in Kalingalinga, Lusaka. The Staff Build also received the support of the HFH Zambia Patron, Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, and the HFH Zambia Board of Directors.

This is Tinenenji’s story…

Tinenenji Zulu is a widow of Lusaka’s Kalingalinga compound. She and her family live in a four room house that is partly made of bricks and mud, which was left to her by her late husband. When her husband died, Tinenenji was left behind with eight children (four sons and four daughters). Of the eight children, six have died and Tinenenji only has her twins left, Mary and John.

John, her son, lives in Chongwe while Mary, her daughter (widow), lives with her and has four children – Manda (female, 21), Ceaser (male, 17 and in grade 7 at YMCA Community School), Chendo (male,12) and Masauso (male, 25).

Addess, Tinenenji’s niece, has two children – Moses Sichinga (7) and Morton (18 months). Addess is not living with her husband as per tradition they are not allowed to live together until he pays the price for the bride.

Manda has two children – Irene (4) and Hosea (2). Manda and the children are still at the grandmother’s house as the husband has run away and can’t take care of the family. Hosea is not in good health, he was taken to the hospital and was diagnosed with malnutrition and is slowly losing weight.

The family has financial problems as they do not have a proper source of income. The only thing they depend on is the little business that Tinenenji does. She sells some vegetables and tomatoes for the family’s survival and Addess is a maid in Kalingalinga to help with the family upkeep. Due to the financial challenges the family is facing, they can only afford to eat once or twice a day.

The house leaks, has no ventilation and this puts the family at a high risk of lung diseases and colds. The house has no nearby running water. The only available water is from the council tap that is about five minutes walk from the house and they have to pay for that.

After receiving a Habitat house, Tinenenji Zulu now has a place to call home. Her house is properly ventilated, unlike her old house that had a leaking roof with no windows and a very bad toilet.

Tinenenji Zulu says: “God is there and we are thankful for what He has done for us. We will continue to praise him as long as we live.”