ZAMBIA: Village constructs new chapel thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions
Church brings deep sense of pride to community
ZAMBIA
(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries have constructed a new chapel in the village of Kapesa, Kazembe, Zambia, thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The funding supported clearing the land, digging the foundation, creating the entire structure, painting inside and fixing the drainage system.
People in Kapesa depend on crop farming and fishing to make their living. During the rainy season they farm and wait for the dry season to sell their dried maize and cassava. Fishing provides for daily meals, but is not enough for sale at the markets.
A Salesian noted, “The Catholic community in Kapesa is happy with the new chapel and has remained grateful to the donors for being there for them when they had no place of worship. For years, they prayed from a neighboring school classroom. Having a church of their own has brought a deep sense of Catholic pride in their freedom of worship.”
The newly appointed parish priest, Father Tresphord Chisanga, opened the chapel in December 2025. He thanked Salesian Missions for the support and encouraged the congregants to take good care of the church to work toward the growth of faith in the community.
Benedict Chitundu, aged 76, was one of the first pioneers of the Kapesa Catholic community. He said, “In the beginning, we had no properly established church. The late Father Gotter, a Polish missionary, had established a center in 2005 without a proper structure. For a long time, we wished to have a place of worship of our own. We faced challenges praying in other places. The classroom we used on Sundays was not always accessible. Now, we are proud and grateful for this beautiful house of God, a place of worship and a place of refuge in times of distress.”
Salesians in Zambia provide a range of social development programs and education to aid youth who are poor and at risk so they can have a healthy productive life. Early education helps youth gain a foundation to allow them to later advance to skills training for employment. Basic needs are met along the way ensuring youth focus on their education.
###
Sources:
Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)
Salesian Missions – Zambia
UNICEF – Zambia
