By MILDRED  KATONGO  –
THE Churches Mapalo Network of Ndola’s Chipulukusu Township has donated assorted food stuffs worth more than K10,000 to 85 people living with HIV/AIDS.
Group chairperson Peter Chikoseleshi said the churches network identified people living with HIV and embarked on a programme to support them.
Pastor Chikoseleshi said giving during the festive season was important and that the church network decided to share the little it has with the patients.
He said Government alone could not reach out to all who are in need, hence the need for the Church to complement the State’s efforts by helping the needy in society.
“This is Christmas time and as churches we thought of sharing with HIV positive patients. The assorted foods include mealie-meal, sugar, cooking oil, beans, kapenta and bathing and cleaning soap,” he said.
Pastor Chikoseleshi urged other members of the public to get on board and contribute towards helping the sick in the area.
He, however, appealed to Government through the ministry of Health to consider expanding the Chipulukusu clinic into a mini hospital.
Pastor Chikoseleshi said the clinic in the area was not meeting the demands of many patients because the population had continued to grow.
One of the beneficiaries, Mary Musonda thanked the churches for their commitment in ensuring that the sick in the community were taken care of.
Ms Musonda who has lived with the HIV virus for 3 years said she would not have managed without the help from the Church.
“I appreciate the help from the churches. What they are doing to help us the sick in the community is good. I live alone and do not have anyone to take care of me.
“The church members through their programmes have helped me. I have lived with the virus for 3 years,” she said.