The end of December each year is a perfect time for celebration in most areas of Zambia. Chickens, goats and cattle are slaughtered in huge numbers in preparation for the celebration. Donations are made by various organisations to various institutions caring for the vulnerableFor many, it is the only time of year when they receive a supply of fresh meat.

Christmas day 2021 saw the Minister of Community Development and Social Services Hon. Doreen Sefuke Mwamba MP visit Matero After Care Centre where she donated Christmas hampers to the less privileged who reside at the centre. The Minister, accompanied by the Permanent Secretary Mrs. Beatrice Chilufya Darko and the Directors in Ministry also had lunch with the residents.

The Minister informed the residents that she was very delighted to be part of this year’s Christmas luncheon themed “Festive of colours” which she likened to the many colours of the rainbow and visualized diversity and beauty of humanity.

She said “History has proved that Christmas is the most enjoyable time of the year, and it is a time for giving, a time to come together and share a meal with family and friends.”

She reiterated that the Ministry appreciated the diverse contributions that members of society including older persons and those with different conditions played and further stated that Government was of the view that challenges faced by both person with disabilities and senior citizens could be solved through a multisectoral approach and that vulnerability could drastically reduce if all stakeholders in the social protection worked together.

She revealed that Government through a decentralized development agenda would put in place an enabling environment for vulnerable persons in the community.