St. Joseph, Itawa Parish had a lot to celebrate as the 1^st house was officially handed over by his Lordship  Bishop Dr. Alick Banda, on Sunday 15^th  of October 2017.  The beautiful 5 bed-roomed self contained  house, was a magnificent sight for the St. Joseph Parishioners who where allowed to tour the house for the first time.

The Handover  was a heartwarming ceremony that succeeded celebration of mass, during which Bishop Banda also gave the Sacrament of Confirmation.

The 1^st  of the 25 housing units to be built across the Diocese of Ndola was spear headed by the Works of Mercy Foundation.  The house marked a significant achievement for the housing project. Works of mercy foundation members could not hide the joy as the house was handed over. Reminiscing on the fundraising ventures namely; the Bishops’ Fundraising walk ,the President’s Fundraising walk, and other Fundraising Dinners they successfully hosted to make this vision a reality.

In a Speech given by the chairman of the Works of Mercy Foundation, Mr Emmanuel Mutati , he thanked  all the parishioners of Itawa and the lay faithful that supported the project.  The cost of the house which was initially estimated at K 1.5 million, currently stands at K 2. Million. He thanked them in Particular  for their support in the Bishop’s Fundraising Walk and  urged them to take good care of the house with is now in their hands.

The Clergy and the laity looked on with gratitude as Bishop Dr. Alick Banda Blessed the house.

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” by  Chinese philosopher Loa Tzu, reigned true on this day. As the journey from the first ground breaking ceremony  on 6th November 2016, to the official handover, was clear by the Clergy and Laity, that worked  tireless towards their vision despite the may challenges and delays they encountered.

The event was closed with the final blessing by his Lordship Bishop Dr. Alick Banda.