Completed Projects
Helping with Purpose
We're thrilled that we've had the opportunity to help so many people throughout the years! Whether through drilling wells or helping at the local clinic, we desire to use these projects as platforms to share our faith and help others realize the hope that's found in Jesus Christ. Please note that this page reflects only work that has been completed. Ongoing projects will be posted as various goals are met on site.
Support the Cause
Perhaps your heart has been touched by the great need in Africa and you'd like to help support our ministry or a specific project.
Chiyembekezo Farms
Chiyembekezo Farms was completed in May, 2020 and was made possible because of the backing of several individuals, the Matthew 25:35 Foundation, Guardians of Hope, First Freedom Baptist Church, OH and Old Time Baptist Church, NY! The vision behind this work is to help fight hunger and malnutrition by empowering local people with a self-sustainable enterprise that teaches invaluable skills while also providing income and an alternate food sources.
Phase 4 at Chiyembekezo
Phase four of the Chiyembekezo building project was completed in July, 2019 and was sponsored by The Harbor of Light Bible Baptist Church, PA , and Faith Bible, NY. The work included the windows, doors, electrical and esthetics. It’s so exciting to receive visitors every Sunday. People from all over are periodically visiting Chiyembekezo throughout the week just to see the building and get a tour! God is really working with this community of believers!
The Chideza Well
This well was drilled in July, 2019 and was sponsored by the First Baptist Church of Wixom, MI. An estimated 1000+ people from 5 villages come to this well daily. Words cannot describe the impact that this well will have on the community. Chideza is one of the larger population centers in our area and water is scarce. Drilling almost ended in failure after still not finding water at a depth of 200 ft. However, at 265 ft the drill connected with a vast supply.
Baby Baskets at Chiyembekezo #4
This 4th BABY BASKET program was held in July, 2019 and was a giant success! The event was sponsored by The First Baptist Church of Wixom, MI with just over 100 women traveling in from over a dozen villages! Some peddled, others were dropped off via motorcycle and some even walked from as far as four hours away! The meeting was taught by Lisa and a local doctor from Chipata. Together, they covered several invaluable topics that these village women need to know. Of course, as with all of our programs, events like this give us an opportunity to give a presentation of the Gospel message to so many from the surrounding area.
The Vincheto Village Well
This well was drilled in July, 2019 and was sponsored by the First Baptist Church of Wixom, MI. An estimated 500 people from this village will come here daily. The Vincheto village is home to the Chief's family and its people have relied on a local river over 1 mile away for all their needs. The location of Vincheto is the farthest we've ever gone out yet and it represents potentials areas of future service in the coming years.
A Bench in the Bush Project
This campaign was completed in July, 2019 and was crowd funded online as well as through several local churches across the USA. African hardwood tress were sourced to make 40 benches for Chiyembekezo Mpingo wa Baptist. Each one is 6.5 ft in length. The maximum number of people we've accommodated with the same seating is approximately 450 people.
The Chiyembekezo Roof
Phase three of the Chiyembekezo building project was completed in April, 2019 and was sponsored by The Matthew 25:35 Foundation, NY, and Calvary Hill Baptist Church, Pacolet, SC. In addition, several individuals generously helped as well. The roof is made from 58 metal sheets that are each approximately 25 feet in length. The trusses are constructed from 5 mm angle iron that's bolted into the top ring beam on the walls. Each side has three skylights that are 8 ft in length.
The Walls for Chiyembekezo
Phase two of the Chiyembekezo building project was completed in March, 2019 and was sponsored by The Matthew 25:35 Foundation, NY, Treasure Valley Baptist Church, ID, Maumee Valley Bible Baptist Church, OH, Branch Hill Baptist Church, OH, Hope Baptist Church, OH and Park Avenue Baptist Church, PA. In addition, several individuals helped as well. The walls are 3.2 meters in height and are made up of about 50,000 bricks, each of which were molded by hand. The structure is 13m x 21m.
Baby Baskets at Chiyembekezo #3
Our third Baby Baskets campaign was held in March, 2019 and was a complete success! This event was sponsored by Choices Pregnancy Center, MO as well as from several individuals. Lisa was able to touch on topics ranging from proper child care, health and hygiene to evaluating one’s relationship with God. This was the first time that Chiyembekezo hosted this campaign with 60 women from the community that attended. Thank you to all those who participated. This truly was a group effort!
Chiyembekezo Shallow Well
This installation was done in February, 2019 and was sponsored by Barron Road Baptist Church, LA. Its location is between two villages and is vital for the people's day to day living. We always hear of other wells that collapse so we like to make sure that the projects we're involved in are done to the highest standard. Having this pump operational to give water for years to come is the goal. This is the second shallow well that we've serviced near Chiyembekezo that will help approximately 4-500 people.
Baby Baskets at the Chitandika Clinic #2
This program was run for the second time in October, 2018 and was sponsored by The Matthew 25:35 Foundation, NY. It was a giant success and we were able to add to our team a local doctor from Chipata as we taught on health, wellness and our faith in Jesus Christ. 86 women received baskets which included everything needed for a safe delivery. This is such an awesome opportunity as we reach out to the community.
The Nyalubwe Well
This well was drilled in October, 2018 and was sponsored by The Matthew 25:35 Foundation. An estimated 600 people from 2 villages come to this well daily. The name of this village means "leopard" and has been one of the places we frequent on a regular basis. Up to now, these people have been using a shallow well which was going dry daily due to the large population it serviced.
The Malavu Well
This well was drilled in July, 2018 and was sponsored by the First Baptist Church of Wixom, MI. An estimated 500 people from 3 villages come to this well daily. The name of the village is actually a play on the word love and is pronounced Ma-La-vu. In the past, Malavu relied on a small shallow well that was going dry everyday. How exciting to be able to secure a source of clean fresh water for this area.
Baby Baskets at the Chitandika Clinic
This program was run in July, 2018 and was sponsored by the First Baptist Church of Wixom, MI. Many women in the village don't have the means to supply all the necessary items to deliver their baby at the clinic. This results with mothers staying home, leading to many potential complications or even loss of life. We were able to assist with 75 baskets which included everything for a safe delivery.
The Mbenjere Shallow Well Pump
This installation was done in July, 2018 and was sponsored by the First Baptist Church of Wixom, MI. The issue with open shallow wells is the risk of surface contamination. Literally anything can fall into an open pit and poison the water that the village is drinking from. We were able to install this locally sourced pump in the village of Mbenjere. It services approximately 400 people.
The Foundation for Chiyembekezo
Phase one of the Chiyembekezo building project was completed in November, 2017 and was sponsored The Matthew 25:35 Foundation, NY. It consisted of 21,000 bricks, each of which were molded by hand. The village was able to recycle the dirt from six vacant mud huts in Mbenjere that they used to fill the box. The structure is 12m x 20m.
The Malonga Well
This well was drilled in November, 2017 and was sponsored by The Matthew 25:35 Foundation, First Bible Baptist Church, NY and the Dimino family, NY. The Malonga well services five villages within a 2k radius and provides water to approximately 1,000 people. Since drilling, we've been meeting here for Bible studies every week and look to develop our relationship with the people further.
The Chilindira Well
This well was drilled in October, 2017 and was sponsored by The Matthew 25:35 Foundation. The Chilindira well services two villages within a 1.5k radius and provides water to approximately 600 people. This village has an excessive amount of witchcraft that's being practiced among its residents. While our work here is ongoing, we are continuing to visit this place weekly.
The Mbenjere Well
This well was drilled in October, 2017 and was sponsored by The Matthew 25:35 Foundation. The Mbenjere well services 4 villages within a 3k radius and provides water to approximately 800 people. As other shallow wells go dry in the area, many flock to this location for water. Mbenjere is our center of ministry and home to Chiyembekezo Mpingo wa Baptist.
Soles For Zambia - Felicia's Shoe Drive
Soles for Zambia was created and carried out by our daughter, Felicia Matacchiera. This program was completed in May, 2017 and was sponsored by churches and individuals across the United States. The idea for this project came to Felicia as she noticed that many of the village kids were without any type of footwear. Felicia was able to collect and distribute hundreds of sandals and flip-flops in this initiative.
Support the Cause
Perhaps your heart has been touched by the great need in Africa and you'd like to help support our ministry or a specific project.