By Sr. Mary Rita, Sisters of Mercy – Mansa CNCS Hub

Holy Childhood children from Mansa Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary recently joined an art competition promoting care for Mother Earth, organized by Zeela Junior Art Gallery and Homestay under the direction of Mrs. Charity Salasini of Lusaka.

The Luapula Province award-giving ceremony took place in Samfya, with musician Pontiano Kaice as Master of Ceremony.

In Mansa, Rev. Fr. Boyd Kasenge, on behalf of the Cathedral administrator, presented certificates during Sunday Mass.

Each participant also received two tree seedlings, one fruit and one ordinary and a local sweeping broom to encourage environmental responsibility and appreciation of creation.

“This gesture is a great lesson to our children. They are learning to appreciate and preserve God’s creation at a tender age,” Fr. Kasenge said.

He urged parents to ensure children plant and care for the trees until they bear fruit and use the broom as a reminder to keep their surroundings clean.

Referring to the theme of the prize-giving ceremony, the Junior Art Diary, which carried the message “We Luapula Lwandi Impanga E Noko” (My Home My Heritage), Mrs. Salasini said, “Our role is to promote Nature, Culture and Art to the young generation.”

Guided by Holy Childhood animators Lucy Chintu, Foster Chama and others, the children produced drawings of their surroundings, including rivers, flowers, a girl watering trees, Jesus drinking water and cupped hands symbolizing Mother Earth.

The ceremony was also graced by Mama Chilufya Kapwepwe, daughter of the late veteran politician Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe, who showcased traditional foods under the project Imiti Ikula E Mpanga (The growing trees is the future vegetation).

She encouraged children to embrace local foods such as sorghum, millet and cassava, adding that other traditional crops like kalimwa maize, groundnuts, beans, honey, Mpika salt, okra, impwa and dried vegetables could support both nutrition and business if well managed.

Other schools that participated included Mundubi Primary from Chifunabuli, Kabumbu Primary from Mwata Kazembe and Kasoma Lunga schools from both the Islands and Samfya. Each group presented artwork reflecting its local environment.

Meanwhile, Mr. Paul Musanse, representing Chief Kasoma Bangweulu, thanked the organizers and participants, urging them to continue teaching children the values of appreciating both nature and culture.