The MCOP had been facing some real challenges since the beginning of 2010. We had experienced a collective headache because we, the board members of the MCOP, could not accept the tenant agreement of our previous landlord, which contained several absurd clauses. Colleagues and friends from other NGOs helped us move to temporary premises, from where we could look for a new place to settle the project.

Finally all our prayers were answered; after all, “God always keeps His promises for His children.” Sister Macrina Lyaunda managed to settle on a profitable agreement with Mrs. Malilwe who is our current landlady. It is a true break-through: not only have we settled on a good agreement, but this new option best fits the concept of the project!

The new MCOP Centre is situated at a convenient 2 km from Choma town center. Maybe you will have noticed that the talk has moved from MCOP house or MCOP office to MCOP Centre. We have deliberately chosen this vocabulary to enhance a friendly environment where no one should be excluded. All members of the community can feel part of the decision making process, abused women and children have a network they can turn to and being so close to town, the Centre is now more accessible within walking distance.

The new centre functions partly as an information and resource centre. It offers books and documents as part of an educational strategy. But Zambia doesn’t have a strong reading culture and people are more accustomed to oral and visual presentations. We therefore intend to make strong use of audio-visual material, such as beamers and video presentations. In the spirit of adapting to new places, taking up new names, we too wish to take part in the benefits our planet has been offered through the technological revolution.