Growing Stronger in Zambia

Sancta Maria College of Nursing & Midwifery in Lukulu has reached an exciting milestone. With the completion of the new kitchen and dining facility and the installation of a solar-powered irrigation system, the College is now better equipped than ever to fulfil its mission: addressing critical healthcare gaps in Western Zambia by training skilled, local nurses. 

The newly opened kitchen and dining room have quickly become the heart of campus life. Funded by a grant from the Noel & Carmel O’Brien Family Foundation, along with donations from other generous supporters, the facility was designed to suit the local context. It features handwashing stations, sliding screened windows for ventilation, a fully fitted cooler room, and a serving counter to efficiently deliver nutritious meals to 280 students and staff. Steel trusses support the wide roof span, ensuring long-term durability. The space is already celebrated as one that nourishes both body and spirit. 

At the same time, the College’s farm is thriving thanks to a new solar-powered pump and drip irrigation system, funded by the Rotary Club of Port Philip, Australia. This innovation ensures a reliable water supply during the dry season, boosts productivity, and reduces manual labour. It enables the College, which houses students on campus, to grow more of its own food and provide each student with three nutritious meals a day. 

By reducing its reliance on external food sources and lowering operational costs, the College is enhancing student wellbeing and progressing steadily toward financial sustainability. 

This transformation is only possible because of your support. Thank you for helping build a stronger, more self-reliant future for nursing education in rural Zambia. 

A Lasting Commitment to Education 

The Sr Elizabeth Donnan ibvm Scholarship Fund

In May 2025, Sr Elizabeth Donnan ibvm, beloved educator, advocate, and friend, passed away after a life devoted to serving others. In her honour, Mary Ward International and the Loreto Sisters have established The Sr Elizabeth Donnan ibvm Scholarship Fund, a tribute to her enduring commitment to dignity and opportunity through education. 

For over two decades in Western Zambia, Sr Elizabeth walked alongside remote communities, supporting community-led schools, building classroom furniture, and championing every child’s right to learn. Her legacy lives on most powerfully at Sancta Maria College of Nursing and Midwifery in Lukulu, where, along with Sr Pat Hanvey ibvm, she established the College to serve the community and create lasting change. 

As manager of the College’s student bursary program, Sr Elizabeth worked tirelessly to ensure that no student was turned away due to financial hardship. She understood that education transforms individual lives and, in doing so, strengthens families and communities. 

“I am the first girl child in my community to go on to further studies,” says current scholarship holder Jacqueline. “I will be a role model to encourage other girls that they can also make it in life.” 

The Scholarship Fund will continue Sr Elizabeth’s life-changing work, providing financial support for students from remote and disadvantaged communities pursuing nursing education. Covering tuition, training costs, travel, and accommodation, the fund enables students to focus wholly on their studies and on becoming the compassionate healthcare professionals their communities need. 

In Sr Elizabeth’s own words, “When a student is awarded a scholarship, their demeanour is transformed from one carrying an impossible burden to a person who is free to laugh and enjoy life.” 

With your support, we can ensure that Sr Elizabeth’s legacy continues to inspire and transform lives. For more information contact mwiaustralia@loreto.org.au

Learn more about the Sr Elizabeth Donnan ibvm Scholarship Fund here.

A New Dawn for Lukulu: The First Graduation

In October 2024, the spirit of Mary Ward filled the air as we celebrated the first graduation of students from the Sancta Maria College of Nursing and Midwifery. A total of 26 students took their first step into the nursing profession, ushering in a new era of healthcare for the region.

The event was abuzz with the energy of local artists performing and the proud presence of national and local dignitaries. The atmosphere was further charged by the vibrant academic robes worn by the teaching staff and their colleagues from other nursing schools across Zambia. As the dignitaries made their grand entrance and took their places, the academic staff created a magnificent guard of honour, ensuring the graduates took the spotlight.

The day was not only important for the graduates; it was a defining moment for the entire community. It seemed as though everyone in Lukulu had gathered to witness this incredible achievement. The smiles of the children and young people in the crowd served as a reminder that they, too, could follow in the footsteps of these 26 remarkable graduates.

The festivities continued with a grand feast, showcasing the best of local cuisine, and true to African tradition, there was more than enough to go around.

As the celebration came to an end, the new graduates, now volunteers at local hospitals and clinics, left with a sense of hope, ready to step into paid government positions and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those they would serve.

We extend a heartfelt thank you to all the generous Mary Ward International donors who have supported the college since it opened in 2021. Your contributions have played a vital role in the accomplishments of these graduates and opened doors to new opportunities and hope for the youth of Lukulu. Here’s to many more inspiring journeys ahead!