18 Years of Growing Minds, Feeding Bodies & Serving Souls
Can you remember your 18th birthday? For most of us, turning 18 was incredibly significant because it symbolized a transition into adulthood - a whole new world of adventure, freedom and possibility. This year - 2023 - is VCF’s 18th birthday and we’re celebrating this to God’s glory with the same attitude of adventure, freedom and possibility. Read on to learn a bit more about what this looks like for our teams here in America as well as in Zambia!
Our Mission & Foundation
For 18 years, we’ve answered God’s call to grow minds, feed bodies and serve souls. And - it has to be said - that even from day one, it’s been an incredible journey which we are so grateful to be on!
It began with a simple mission [started by Edgar H. and Meta A. Hoenecke] to provide resources that would allow young, vulnerable and orphaned children of Zambia to be part of a Christian educational setting. The bigger vision behind this was to educate them for productive lives on earth as well as share with them the saving message of Jesus Christ for eternity.
One of the unique aspects of our mission is that we use the Bible’s model of a Christian body to make this happen. Our founders had the foresight to realize we are simply a part of the body, created to bless, encourage, and serve another part. We do this by funding the construction and operation of schools owned and operated by congregations of the Lutheran Church of Central Africa (LCCA). This partnership allows pastors, teachers, and volunteers directly connected with life in Zambia to breathe life and love into their community in a way that embraces the unique beauty of their local culture.
The Impact
The core of the VCF’s mission is Christian education. The VCF has consistently recognized the lifelong impact of educating both the mind and soul of Zambian students in a grade 1-7 community school. Families of students in the schools do not have the ability to pay, and that’s where we come in. As a Christian charitable organization, the VCF uses its funds to cover operational and capital expenses for this mission. Starting in 2005 with 3 classrooms serving 47 students and a full-time staff of 3, the schools of the VCF now serve around 600 students daily on two campuses with a full-time staff of 22. We’ve also recently added a meal program, serving the students three days each week.
Throughout the past 18 years of blessing, the mission and purpose of the VCF schools has only become stronger. The relationship with our brothers and sisters in the LCCA has grown into a true partnership of respect and love. Continuing education of faculty in teaching both secular and religious subjects has enriched instructional quality. VCF-funded projects at both campuses have enhanced the daily experience of everyone associated with the schools. Some of these projects include:
classroom additions
cooking shelters
Restrooms
deep-bore wells
water towers
If you’re interested in learning more about the governing principles and goals which help us determine how to best serve the LCCA, we encourage you to visit our website. There you will also find pictures of the two schools in Lusaka City, additional background information on the origin of VCF and opportunities to serve with us!
Our Future
The VCF journey is far from over. As we look to the next 15 years, our dreams include several exciting opportunities. These include goals such as the following:
Adding grades 8 and 9 on the campuses (This provides the option for students to remain through the next level of the Zambian educational system.)
Continue to support the training of teachers to provide a high quality Christ-centered education to the vulnerable students in the schools
Opening additional schools in Zambia to grow, feed and serve more young souls together with the LCCA.
The mission and purpose of the VCF is as important now as it was in 2005. The city of Lusaka has countless vulnerable children in need of an education and in need of a Savior. The leadership and members of the LCCA value our partnership and the influence our schools are making on their church body. We cannot wait to see what God has in store for the future of this amazing partnership.
Help Children in Africa
We are blessed to see firsthand how the importance of Christian education has only increased in the past 18 years. If you, like us, see the importance of this mission, we would cherish the opportunity to have you join us on our journey to grow, feed and serve. Visit our website to learn more or head directly to our giving page to support us financially today. 100% of your gift goes directly to educating the children of Zambia.