President of Zambia visits Chikankata

WHEN the President of Zambia, Mr Levy Patrick Mwanawasa, paid a courtesy visit to The Salvation Army's Chikankata Mission he was greeted by Zambia Salvation Army headquarters personnel, Chikankata health services staff and student nurses, as well as pupils from the high school. Colonel Vinece Chigariro, the Territorial Commander, read a brief history of the Chikankata Mission to the President who was impressed with how the mission had grown to its present size. The Territorial Commander spoke of the challenges facing the centre, including the need to replace the donated computer equipment, now four years old, and to rebuild the student nurses' home, staff houses and the girls' dormitory. The president was very impressed and promised the Army that he had heard the needs.



The President then toured the hospital where he had the opportunity to talk to the patients and staff. He ended his tour in the maternity ward where two babies, a boy and a girl, had been born that day. The President named the baby girl Maurine – his wife's name – and gave the baby K 1,000,000. The baby boy he named after himself, Levy Patrick, and blessed him, suggesting that he might grow up to be president. He also gave him K 1,000,000.

The President was later taken to the high school where he toured the computer room and the science laboratory. The students welcomed him with a song. In response the President said how impressed he was with the work of The Salvation Army and donated two million Kwacha to the school.