A New Voice From Nyumba Yanga: Lucy Masiye Lungu Says Hello!

Hello Everyone,

I feel privileged to share my motivation as a volunteer at Nyumba Yanga Orphanage in Lusaka, Zambia. I have volunteered throughout my life because I believe I have something to give to others. I am motivated by the love and grace of Christ to help. I am a gender activist and I belong to an Association that champions women’s and children’s rights with an emphasis on the girl child. I am currently the Chairperson for the regional YWCA branch in Lusaka. Through the mother body known as the Non Governmental Organizing Coordinating Committee, (NGOCC), we address issues of human rights that include children’s rights.

This being my first blog for Homes of Joy, I wish to introduce myself to all friends and partners of the special Home for children, Nyumba Yanga. I am known as Aunty Lucy by the children. Lucy Masiye Lungu is my full name. I am a secondary school teacher by profession but later changed to social work and worked as a Program Manager until 2005 when I decided to take another route. I am completing a degree in Development Studies this year. I have travelled extensively and lived in four countries.

I am married with three children (two boys and one girl) and two nephews. I have been married for 33 years to a very supportive partner who is a professor at the University of Zambia. Our children are all graduates and independent while our nephews still have two more years to finish secondary education. They lost their mum when they were 4 years old and have lived with us since 1999. They are special to my family. We give them all the love they deserve. In our African culture, they are our sons. This is the beauty of extended family systems in Zambia. We continue to encourage our society to uphold this culture because it does not leave children without mothers or fathers.

Nyumba Yanga is managed by the Sisters who need the support of Zambian volunteers because they are dealing with children from different backgrounds. As a Zambian with extensive experience in working with different people from different parts of the world, I am convinced that I can make a difference at the orphanage. My background and my knowledge and skills are centered on gender issues, and this makes it possible for me to deal with the different needs of the girls and mothers at Nyumba Yanga.

I am the bridge between Nyumba Yanga and the outside world. It is in this outside World where we hope for the girls to succeed in the future. I wish to share the love and care I received from my parents with others who may need both. My family is really supportive of my passion and my husband is always ready to help where need arises. This makes me a happy volunteer. Stay tuned for my next blog when I will share some conversations with the girls at Nyumba Yanga.

Lucy Masiye-Lungu

Volunteer at Nyumba Yanga