ZOCF UK Women’s Conference 2023

Pastor Joan - National Chair Lady

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Chipo Gumbo -  NEC Assistant Secretary.

Occupation: Travel consultant.

Why I got involved in the ZOCF Role: I was nominated for the role, and I believe I will be a great asset. 

Favourite Bible Verse: Numbers 6:24-26 - 24 “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; 26 The Lord [a]lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.”

Interesting fact: I do not like snakes.

Mr and Mrs Mtonga - Couple’s Leaders

Occupation: Mr John Mtonga – Storeman  | Mrs Edinah Mtonga –  Nurse

Why you got involved in ZOCF: 

We got involved into ZOCF as soon as we arrived into UK because it’s family away from home and the fellowship is warm and lovely with a Zambian touch.

Favourite Bible verse: Romans8:1 – Therefor there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Name: Miss Hannah Ng'uni

Position: National Projects Coordinator

Occupation: Dietitian

Why you got involved in the ZOCF projects team:  I was nominated to the role of co-ordinator and felt it was a good opportunity to serve within the charity.

Interesting fact: really dislike spiders

Favourite Bible verse: Proverbs 3:5-6

Name: Dr Tasila Mathias

Position: Vice National Projects Coordinator  

Occupation: Scientist - Food Safety Expert

Why you got involved in the ZOCF projects team:  I'm passionate about serving the Zambian community. I also saw this as an opportunity to leverage my skills in project management. 

Interesting fact: I'm afraid of dogs

Favourite Bible verse: Isaiah 43:19

Name:  Miss Tiyamike Mwale 

Position: National Publicity Lead  

Occupation: Secondary School RE Teacher  

Why you got involved in ZOCF: 

Since my family migrated to England back in 2004 my parents have been attending various ZOCF events and conferences. Mum and dad attend the Koinonia Family conference every year, which is usually held annually on the first weekend of August. I attended 3/4years when I was younger. They separately attend the annual men and women’s conferences in May & June and often attend the summer BBQ. Until about 2012 the generation between my parents and mine used to run Ebenezer Youth Camp the weekend after Koinonia. I have always loved this sense of Zambian community within England and would like to do my part to contribute to this. 

Favourite Bible verse: Romans 8:28 - And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose  

Interesting fact: I have not been back to Zambia since we migrated in 2004.

Name: Mrs Kalenga Mtonga Zimba

Position: ZOCF women's Secretary/ Publicity.

Why you got involved in ZOCF: l was encouraged by the aims and objectives of the organisation and saw an opportunity to learn and contribute.

Favourite Bible verse:  Psalm 144:2 

 He is my loving God and my fortress,
    my stronghold and my deliverer,
my shield, in whom I take refuge,
    who subdues peoples[a] under me.

Interesting fact: l sing in a gospel band.

Name: Mrs J. Luwaya

Position in ZOCF: ZOCF Safeguarding Co-ordinator/Lead.

Occupation: Advanced Nurse Practitioner

Why you got involved in ZOCF: 

I got involved in ZOCF in 2003, having been introduced to it by Mrs Ired Lougher and Mrs Musole Chilekwa, I got involved as part of Eastern Region, so I can be part of a team who are advancing Christian values in the UK and abroad and promotion of health and community development.

Here at ZOCF, the Safeguarding team aims to:

• provide a safe and caring environment for children, young people and all adults, including voluntary workers. 
• protect the children and adults in our care from incidents of misconduct, inappropriate behaviour, and abuse and also
• protect ZOCF members and volunteers (workers) from false accusations
• Available is the Adult and Children’s (Combined) Safeguarding policies in place shared with ZOCF leaders.

Favourite Bible verse:

Psalms 23 v6 'Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever'.

Interesting fact: Mother of five and grand mother of five!

Name: Joyce Katebe

Position: Womens Chairperson

 Occupation: Nurse

 Why you got involved in ZOCF: 

I was first asked to be chair for the newly formed region - Bristol and Southwest which eventually got launched in Feb 2020. Then asked to be chair for the women’s department in 2021. I thought doing this, though challenging, is a great way of doing God’s work just like  we volunteer to take part in various roles in the church. It also provides a forum for enjoying time of fellowship with fellow zambians and friends locally other than just the annual conference.. 

 Favourite Bible verse:

Proverbs 3:5- “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding”

Interesting fact: I love to sing and dance. I started singing in choir and joined a dancing club at secondary  school but have never followed these two enjoyable passions after secondary school.. 

Name: Mapalo Chiti 

 Position: Administrator  

Occupation: Admin Assistant 

Why you got involved in ZOCF: 

I initially got involved with ZOCF to help to explore and expand upon my Zambian heritage. Of course, this is still a major driving force for me today, but today I'd also say that I enjoy helping other people to explore ZOCF and what they have to offer through my job as an administrator, whether it be recording Language Sessions to help students refine their skills or working with the teachers to help translate and present slides; helping others whilst exploring my identity as a Zambian is why I love working and involving myself with this organisation.

 Favourite Bible verse:

My favourite verse changes a lot but currently it's Philippians 4:13 ("I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength"). A classic verse which symbolises that God is always with us, and with him by our side, we can do anything we strive to do.

 Interesting fact: 

To be real with you, I'm kinda a massive nerd. I'm really into video games, anime/manga, music, all that sort of stuff.

Name: Luwi Luwaya 

Position: National Youth Coordinator 

Occupation: PMO Analyst 

Why you got involved in ZOCF: 

ZOCF has been a part of mine and my family's lives in some way, shape or form. After university I became passionate about identity, Zambia and Pan-Africanism. It was more of a personal interest, but God connected me with various Zambians that felt the same. We were then encouraged by the ZOCF chairman at the time to focus our efforts on getting more young adults involved in ZOCF. The team and I held creative and inspiring events all across the UK under the name Nxt Chapter. After being part of Nxt Chapter for 2 years I was nominated to be the ZOCF Vice National Youth Coordinator. I got involved with the ZOCF leadership because I saw there was a gap in our community, and I wanted to be able to use my skills and efforts to bridge that gap. 

 Favourite Bible verse:

Romans 8:28:  And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.

Proverbs 16:1-3: To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue. All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord. Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.

Interesting fact: 

I believe I held the first official ZOCF event in Zambia. It was received really well and we even got some air time on ZNBC.

[please fact check if there were any other previous events but I believe it was the first] 

Name: Chiyembekezo Mwale 

Occupation:  senior scientist 

Why you got involved in ZOCF: I got involved in ZOCF because I like to help young people build their faith with God 

 Favourite Bible verse:  Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 

Interesting fact:  I love to write songs . 

Name: Mrs Julian. Luwaya

Position: ZOCF Safeguarding Co-ordinator

Occupation: Advanced Nurse Practitioner

Why you got involved in ZOCF: 

I got involved in ZOCF in 2003, having been introduced to it by Mrs Ired Lougher (via Mrs Simfukwe) and Mrs Musole Chilekwa, I got involved as part of Eastern Region, so I can be part of a team who are advancing Christian values in the UK and abroad and promotion of health and community development.

I have served as the Eastern Region Chairlady, Projects team committee member and now in Safeguarding department.  As a Safeguarding team we aim to provide a safe and caring environment for children, young people and all adults, including voluntary workers.

Favourite Bible verse: Psalms 23:6 'Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever'.

Interesting fact: Mother of five and grandmother of five!