Project No. 26/2025 –
Housing Initiative to Support Education
in Ndola (Zambia)
The Conventual Franciscan Province of the Franciscan Protomartyrs in Zambia has proposed Development Project No. 26/2025, entitled “The Missionary Legacy of Friar Harry “Pio” UITENDAAL: A Housing Initiative for Educational Support.” It is aimed at promoting a sustainable model of support for education for vulnerable students through the construction of housing units intended to generate income for educational programs.
The project is being implemented in the city of Ndola, the capital of Zambia’s Copperbelt Province. The city, with an estimated population of over 600,000, serves as an important center for services and is distinguished by a workforce of laborers and small entrepreneurs. Despite relative political stability, the social and economic environment remains fragile, with widespread problems such as youth unemployment, lack of healthcare resources, food insecurity, and a high rate of teenage pregnancies.
In this context, many young people face serious difficulty in accessing higher education. University tuition fees, ranging between 250 and 350 euros per term, represent a significant obstacle in a country with a low average per capita income. As a result, many students are forced to abandon their studies, with negative personal and social consequences.
The Province of the Franciscan Protomartyrs in Zambia has long been committed to supporting the most vulnerable students, particularly young women, through sponsorship programs in nursing, law, and vocational training. However, the growing demand for assistance has highlighted the need to develop a stable and sustainable funding model over time.
To meet this need, the project involves the construction of semi-detached housing units on land owned by the Province. These structures will be rented out, generating a stable monthly income that will be fully reinvested in educational programs. The project is also set within a national context of strong housing demand, characterized by a significant housing shortage, thereby ensuring the long-term economic sustainability of the project.
The project also pays homage to Friar Harry “Pio” UITENDAAL (Henricus Maria Pius UITENDAAL, 1934–†2022), a missionary from Holland who served the Province of Zambia with dedication until his death in 2022. Known for his strong commitment to the poor and to education, he left a lasting legacy through building housing, supporting students, and establishing pastoral facilities that remain active today. This project seeks to continue and build upon his work, while also involving past beneficiaries in an ongoing process of solidarity and development.
Project Information
- Conventual Franciscan Jurisdiction: Province of the Franciscan Protomartyrs in Zambia
- Country: Zambia
- Location: Ndola (Copperbelt)
- Type of Project: Development project
- Date of Proposal: April 23, 2025
- Expected Duration: Eight months
- Direct Project Coordinator:
-
- Friar Luke Katongo CHILAMBWE
- Total Project Cost: €43,500.82 (ZMW 1,305,024.65)[1]
- Local Contributions (from the Province):
- €8,700.16
- Contribution from the Provincial Delegation in Holland, of the Province of St. Elisabeth in Germany:
- €43,500.00
- Funding Status:
- The project is fully funded by the Provincial Delegation in Holland, of the Province of St. Elisabeth in Germany, for a total of €43,500, excluding local contributions. The work is currently underway, as the construction of a commercial building requires special attention and adequate time to ensure the quality and sustainability of the project.
Projects Office
[1] In 2025, 1 ZMW (Zambian kwacha) was approximately equal to €0.033.
