Abel Mboozi
21 November 2007
Ndola — IT is shocking and difficult to understand how devoted Christians who are firm believers in the word, works and teachings of Jesus Christ can harbour evil intents and pour their wrath on innocent orphans.
Unfortunately, this happens more so often far away from us around the world, yet today, the call comes this close to home as the tale of two Scottish Anglican Church sisters of Mkushi, who have fled the country after their years of inhumane, cruel treatment of 18 orphans of Lioboth Convent and Orphanage was laid bare by Medicare of Ndola.
Sister-in-charge of the convent, Prudence Kunda, narrated how orphans at the convent, including herself and other workers, suffered at the hands of the two Scottish sisters, Dorothy and Jane aged 80 and 72 respectively.
The two sisters have since fled the country for fear of prosecution.
The years of abuse and sub-humane treatment of orphans was brought to light when Human Rights Commission (HRC) commissioner, Godfridah Sumaili visited the orphanage to establish the situation after persistent complaints from staff and people living around the orphanage.
The orphanage was started in 1998 by sisters Dorothy and Jane, with the help of Scottish aid and the support of the local Anglican Parish at Fiwila which has 18 orphans, five girls and 13 boys.
"We used to receive funding from Scotland through the two white sisters who used to take care of our needs as well as the needs of the orphans. We did not know how much aid we got because the two white sisters were in charge of everything, but we stayed happily until in the last five years when the attitude of the nuns became weird," Sister Kunda recounts.
Medicare of Ndola visited the orphanage early this year and they were shocked to discover that no one was allowed to receive medical treatment at the local health post, a matter that forced the visitors to report the matter to the HRC.
"We were denied medical attention. Even when a child or a Zambian sister fell ill, the two sisters would prescribe medicine for you as though they were trained doctors. After you took the medicine, they would ask you to work for it either in the garden or in their kitchen, which was not fair.
"Children survived on a bun and tea for lunch and sometimes even supper for a long period. Most of the under-five children even developed malnutrition. The misery of the little children could be seen in their eyes. They have had no linen on their beds while the bed space is too small to accommodate three. Three children were made to share one blanket, their clothing is tattered as you can see," complained Sister Kunda.
She said the two sisters used to receive clothes for the children but no one knew where they used to take the garments, some of which is said to have been burnt on the incinerator.
Sister Kunda said many times, the children would run and fall over themselves to the incinerator to try and salvage any remains of the clothes when the two sisters were away.
"Orphans starved while food for the two sisters' dogs was readily available. The children had no freedom to play around the orphanage, they lived in fear each time the two sisters were present. They preferred going to the chapel with their dogs and watch videos with them than with the poor orphans whom they called pigs.
The nuns, who were excessive beer drinkers, never allowed the local sisters to use their cooking utensils and as such, they (local sisters) were forced to fetch firewood with the help of children almost everyday.
"There was no harmony at this orphanage when the two whites were around because even us elders were mistreated like young ones, but we had little to do and had it not been for Medicare of Ndola, this misery would have continued.
"We are now living happily with the children, but we are not too sure whether aid would continue to flow as promised by the two nuns who have since left," Sister Kunda said.
To add salt to injury, the sisters sold the vehicle they used at the orphanage and left for Scotland with the cash.
Gladys Musuka, 15, a grade nine orphaned pupil at Fiwila Basic School, recounting her ordeal, said the two sisters made them live in perpetual fear when they were around adding that they were called pigs and not by their names and if any of them dare failed examinations in school, they were asked to leave the orphanage.
"We were not allowed to worship in the Convent Parish Church, children were scared to run to them each time they came from a trip. No child used to jump in their car even when it rained but their dogs were allowed and even sheltered properly than us," Musuka narrated.
The children have now found peace with the local sisters.
Another orphan, Innocent Chibwe, 16 and in grade nine at Fiwila, narrated how he and other kids suffered at the hands of the two white sisters.
"We are relieved now that the two whites have left the orphanage, we never went for evening studies and we never used to eat well even when food was in abundance. Our beddings and clothing are in tatters, we need plenty food and the whole orphanage needs assistance.
It was in this line that Pastor Sumaili promised that the commission would make recommendations to have the orphanage closed so the children can be relocated or better still find means to sustain its operations for the well being of the children.
Commissioners; Pastor Sumaili, Kenneth Maduma and Alfred Sakala could not hide their grief about the plight of the children at the orphanage.
"This was total slavery. The HRC is concerned about the critical issues that have been raised and we shall follow them up with relevant officials.
"It is inhumane to subject children to such conditions, the sanitation is bad and beddings are not there. It is important that a solution is urgently found to assist the poor orphans," Pastor Sumaili promised.
The two sisters left Zambia on November 1.
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