Sisters Rising, Children Thriving: Sr. Christine’s Miracle at Kalubula School

Commitment to a Forgotten People

When Sr. Christine Mubanga arrived at Kalubula Primary School in Zambia, she found a grass thatched shelter and only twenty students who couldn’t afford supplies. Sr. Christine’s assignment was to develop the school and increase education levels in the surrounding villages. But in a place forgotten by its government, where families barely survived on subsistence farming, her challenges extended beyond the lack of facilities and basic supplies.

For one thing, Kalubula’s remote location meant both she and her students had to travel long distances in unsafe areas to access services and attend school – without public transport. In the villages, girls as young as twelve often dropped out of school because of pregnancies and early marriage, and the local children had few role models to encourage them in their education. As a result, regular school attendance was very low. It was a major obstacle, but Sr. Christine had an idea and got to work on an unlikely project for a school teacher – starting a small farm. Once her crops grew in, she offered them to her students. The promise of regular healthy meals enticed more children to attend classes and encouraged their parents to send them. 

A Lifeline from a Sister

Although her tactic worked to bring in more students, Sr. Christine still struggled. A failure of government funding caused by the COVID-19 pandemic left her and the expanding school with no money to operate. Providing food may have helped increase attendance, but classes took place in unfinished buildings that lacked electricity and plumbing. And without transportation, Sr. Christine couldn’t ensure her students’ safety on their long walks home, and left her isolated as well. Powerless against her difficulties, the strain became too much for her to handle alone. “I cried most of the time,” Sr. Christine said. “I felt like I was being punished for sins I didn’t commit.” 

Sr. Christine contemplated leaving religious life altogether when she turned to a friend, a fellow Sister from another congregation, for support. When Sr. Christine explained the issues she was up against, her friend had an idea. She told her about Sisters Rising Worldwide and said the organization could help her find aid. It was the lifeline that Sr. Christine needed. She reached out to SRW, and with help from COO Kelly Mallon Young, was soon a member of the PeaceRoom, where she could connect with other Sisters, and secure funding for school improvements.  

Transformation and a Brighter Future

Today, Kalubula is flourishing. SRW donations helped build new classrooms and hire new staff to teach the school’s almost 600 students. Construction is underway on a new computer lab and solar power system, and the school received a 100% passing rate, meaning all students have qualified to graduate to secondary school. Because of the outstanding academic achievement of the school, the local Ministry of Education has asked the Sisters to open a secondary school as well, opening up opportunities for more local children. Plus, SRW purchased a new vehicle for the school, so students and staff can safely access more services in the area.

“I’m still a religious Sister today because I have come to believe that God works miracles in our lives, and he does not forsake his children,” Sr. Christine says. “I thank God for the support I’ve received from Sisters Rising Worldwide.” 

To our generous donors – thank you for giving Sr. Christine the material resources she needs for her community, and also for giving her and all our Sisters the hope and strength they need to fight social injustice around the world.  Together, we can continue to help God work miracles around the world for these courageous women.