St. Joseph's Flats in Lusaka

Final Narrative Report on Project:

“Construction of St. Joseph’s Flats – Income Generating for

Lusaka and Mpika to meet Seminary Costs”

Project Partners:

1. Mainz Diocese: € 45,000.-

2. Diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart € 45,000.-

3. Archdiocese of Paderborn € 45,000.-

4. Archdiocese of Cologne € 45,000.-

5. Missio-Aachen € 45,000.-

The project started in September 2006 with an application to the above mentioned donors. It was

aiming at being self reliant as regards covering the expenses of the diocese of Mpika and the

Archdiocese of Lusaka towards the cost of their seminarians and the seminaries. The Archdiocese

of Lusaka had a plot in Chelston (Lusaka) that could be used for real estate development.

They would give Mpika Diocese the title deeds for their share and Mpika, in turn, would take on

the fund raising with the donors. This arrangement was further facilitated through the fact that the

bishop of Mpika, T-G. Mpundu was made archbishop coadjutor of Lusaka and was thus able to

bring the two interests together.

In June 2007, an up-dated version of the application was taken to Germany and presented to the

friends and donors, the dioceses of Mainz and Rottenburg-Stuttgart, the archdioceses of

Paderborn and Cologne as well as to Missio-Aachen. With the help of Hallmark Property Services

we were able to present a survey and feasibility study for the project. We also presented a proposed

site plan, lay-out and floor plan for the St. Joseph’s Flats done by db-architects (Lusaka).

Each diocese would construct a flat of three apartments; i.e. 2 No. of 3-bedroom apartments

(each 124 m²) and 1 No. of 2-bedroom apartment (108 m²).

We asked our donors to contribute € 15,000 each for a period of three years. Three years was

the estimated time for sourcing funds, planning, building and renting out the finished flats. After a

tendering process we chose the Chinese Construction company “Wah-Kong Enterprises Limited

for the building. The Archdiocese of Lusaka had good experience with the company in the past

and they were just the cheapest. For details on the finances and payments, see the report of

Lusaka Archdiocese; they did the actual payments and negotiations with the builders.

In the rainy season of 2008 the construction commenced and went ahead well. The problems

really started with the finishing touches. Our engineer on site has a hard task in checking the

quality of the fittings, tiles and appliances. So, for example, we had to exchange all bathing tubs,

because the quality was below par and different from the bill of quantity. These things prolonged

the finishing of the flats. Then we run into problems with the ZESCO, the Zambian electricity company.

For months they would not come to connect the flats and install the proper meters. Almost

the same happened with the Lusaka Water Company that just did not find the time to come and

connect the houses. When tested, the water installation was found to be leaking in places and the

Construction company that had already moved from the premises had to be called back. All in all

a cumbersome and time consuming process. In April 2010 the houses were handed over and the

building was finally finished. Home-Net Zambia, a property agent, is currently screening applications

of clients to occupy the houses. The dates for moving in are set for the 1st of July 2010.

Thus a long and challenging building process comes to an end.

We would like to thank our donors from the bottom of our hearts. They facilitated this important

step of our two dioceses to more self-sufficiency. We should be able to pay all expenses for our

seminarians as of 2011. We are very happy and thankful for this achievement.

A detailed report from the income and expenditure side from Mpika Diocese is attached. Mpika

facilitated the collection and the disbursements of the funds. Lusaka Archdiocese, being much

nearer to the construction site, did the actual payments. Their report will follow, once the last payments

to Wah-Kong Enterprises Ltd. have been effected.

The pictures attached show the finished buildings. More pictures can be found on our website:

“www.diompika.org” under the heading: “Projects”

We invite you to have a look at them. If need be, we could also burn some CDs with additional

pictures for your files. Kindly feel free to contact us (contact@diompika.org).

Once again, thank you very much for your support and for financing these important step to more

self-reliance of the local Church in Mpika, Zambia.

Faithfully yours

Fr. Thomas Matthaei

Treasurer General