We celebrated the launch of the Open Your HeartZ-Z-Z (Z-Z-Z = Zulu-Zleh-Zwedru) campaign with lots of African music on Sunday, February 15,2009. Pastor Kidd opened with a pertinent sermon, after which we heard the story of Rufus and Famela Zulu’s arrival and time with us, and what is going on with their family in Zwedru, Liberia. Following the service everyone had the opportunity to see the displays to learn about cocoa farming and the needs of the Zulus and the Zlehs.
The response was wonderful. Thanks to everyone for re-committing yourselves by loving and helping our neighbors near and far! Over $2200 in gifts and pledges were received. This commitment gave us a good start for all that was planned this year to help the Liberian Zulus and Zlehs.
You may be wondering, “Who are the Zlehs?” They are the mother, siblings and niece of Ophelia Zleh, Rufus’s companion here in Allentown. They were still in Ivory Coast where they fled as refugees from Liberia many years ago. They were ready to return to Liberia and re-establish themselves on the farm that belonged to Ophelia’s grandmother. We recently sent them $500 to pay for their return to Liberia.
They needed to clear the land (which has become overgrown) when they returned and needed seeds and tools for planting. We provided them with monthly with food and rent until the farm began producing. This is what we did for the Zulu family last year (2008).
The Zulu family was in the next stage. Their farm was producing enough food that we din’t need to send them subsistence payments any more. They were preparing to clear more land and start planting cocoa in addition to rice and vegetables. First Robert, Rufus’s father, had to go to Ivory Coast to hire experienced cocoa workesr to help him. He paid for their expenses on this trip. Then he needed funds to clear the land, buy the supplies needed for planting cocoa, and possibly help in paying the cocoa workers until they can produce enough food for themselves as well. Cocoa plants must grow for five years before they produce, but they are productive for many years after that.
In addition we continued to support the Zulu children’s education. Cephus and Rajackson had one or two more semesters at university and they would most likely finish by the end of 2009. The seven children were in school in various grades, the oldest was only in 8th grade, the youngest in 1st, so we expected to continue for some time with tuition, school uniforms and supplies.
All in all we expected to spend over $7000 in 2009 on this project.
