• Vision, Mission, Commitments and Plan

• History

• Partners

OUR VISION

Prayerfully assisting vulnerable children to realise and reach their God given potential.

OUR PLAN: VISION 710

By 2015 we aim to be partnered with over 700 children and 10 churches.

OUR MISSION

• Provide quality based programs, centred on Christian values, enabling hope, quality education, justice and adventure for every child within our care.
• Promote the empowerment of children, families and communities living in abject poverty, internally through our programs and externally by advocating on their behalf.
• Protect children within our programs by creating environments where they can feel safe and secure and have the opportunity to develop holistically after experiencing difficult beginnings.
  

WE ARE COMMITTED TO MINISTRY THAT IS

• Child Focused
  We are committed to the nurturing of vulnerable children, with the belief that family and community, first and foremost, is God’s model of care.
• Holistic
  We believe that our love and compassion for vulnerable children will compel us to look at both their heart’s need for Jesus and their practical need for justice.
• Serving
  We are committed to following Jesus’ attitude in becoming a servant, that others may be elevated from their current circumstances.
• Promoting Indigenous Leadership
  We are committed to developing indigenous leaders and teams, to have maximum impact transforming children within their own culture.
• Empowering Local Churches
  We are committed to the local church, who we believe should be instrumental in social justice issues to the poor and oppressed and who should be encouraged and equipped to fulfill this role.
• Accountable
  We appreciate the global partnership in transforming vulnerable children and understand our responsibility to be transparent, faithful and accountable.
• Prayerful
  We believe that only through faithful prayer will we see good and right decisions made that will ultimately assist vulnerable children realise and reach their God given potential.
• Grassroots
  We are committed to remaining within and connected to the communities we serve, keeping the ministry personal and approachable.
  

HISTORY

Eagles Wings was founded by Lackson Matolokoshi, Mark Holstein and Reid Anderton. Unqualified, ill equipped and not really knowing where they were heading, Lackson, Mark and Reid each stepped out in faith with a desire and passion to help children suffering in poverty. Convicted and compelled to help: this is their story.

Lackson Matolokoshi
Growing Up - Isaiah 6:8 (NIV)
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Who shall I send? And whom will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

Lackson grew up in Liketo village in central Zambia. When he was five years old, his father died and due to continued abuse by his relatives Lackson ran away at the age of ten. He lived by himself until he was nineteen, when he met and married Mary.

By the time he was twenty-eight, Lackson was searching for truth. He found it in a Christian tract called ‘Do you want to be my friend?’. Lackson gave his life to Jesus Christ and Mary soon followed.

The Seed Planted - 1 Corinthians 3:7 - 8 (NIV)
So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.

Lackson moved to Monkey Fountain with his family in 1991 to work with MMM International as a house servant. Befriending the community around him, Lackson’s heart became burdened for them as he learnt of their physical and spiritual suffering. As there was no existing church in the area, Lackson set about planting a church - Grace and Truth Baptist - where he still attends today.

Soon after, he realised that there were many Zambians who could not read the Bible, as they had never been to school. The seed was planted in his heart to somehow help the large number of adults who he believed should have the opportunity to receive an education.

The Work Beginning - Zechariah 4:10 (NLT)
Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin...

As more and more adults turned up to receive a basic education at Grace and Truth Baptist, one problem became evident; Children throughout the community were also coming to take part because very few had the resources and finances to attend government schools in the area. Soon the children were learning faster than the adults and so Lackson had to separate them - children in the morning and adults in the evening. Hence in January 2000, the work began through a small community school at Grace and Truth Baptist Church.

Mark Holstein
Voicing the Work - Matthew 19:21 - 22 (NIV)
Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

After visiting Zambia on two previous occasions, Mark returned in 2001, being burdened for the children living in extreme poverty. He could associate with them by playing soccer with them, singing with them and trying to teach them, but he dreamed of doing so much more for these dear children. Being convicted by the verse to sell everything and give to the poor, Mark knew that he could sacrifice much more for them. Not really knowing what to do, Mark trusted the Lord to show him and he was led to Lackson. After seeing what Lackson was doing Mark committed himself to raise funds to grow this ministry. From this Mark has seen God’s amazing love and provision.

Reid Anderton
Building the Work - Psalm 82:3 - 4 (NIV)
Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

After working with MMM International in Zambia previously, Reid returned in 2002 with two friends, Brad Hartland and Greg Jansen. With Psalm 82 on his heart, Reid believed that God would lead him to partner with a Zambian national who was already working with disadvantaged children - street children. Unbeknown to him, Lackson, who Reid had met on previous visits, had started working with these beautiful children. Lackson had five of them living with his family in his small mud brick home on the grounds of MMM. Seeing a poor servant doing all that he could with the little that he had was inspiring and after hearing the dreams Lackson had and the vision to help these children further, Reid committed to do what he could to help, not realising that this ministry would consume a big part of his life.

Choosing the name  
Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
...but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

PARTNERS

Baptist World Aid Australia - BWAA partner with organisations globally who assist in developing poor communities. They have been instrumental in our development as an organisation, bringing experience and expertise that has developed the vision of Eagles Wings. 2009 will see us phase out this partnership on one level (tax deductibility for donors), however we will continue our relationship through our Adult Education Program. We greatly appreciate the role BWAA has played over the past four years.

Visit the Baptist World Aid Australia website

International Teams (Australia) - ITeams specialise in sending short and long term mission teams worldwide. They have partnered with Eagles Wings to train our various teams, individuals and our own staff. Much work from ITeams goes into training and equipping people to serve in a cross-cultural environment and we greatly appreciate their contribution.

Visit the International Teams (Australia) website

SAO Zambia - SAO Zambia (Share an Opportunity) and Eagles Wings are both serving within the same communities and therefore we have established a good relationship with them. As the needs are many, we work together to see the poorest of the poor gain not only an education but also hope that they can overcome the devastating effects of poverty. A SAO implementer is based within the Monkey Fountain Campus of our school, working where necessary with both our Principal and Director.

Visit the SAO Zambia website

Be a HERO (Australia) - Be A HERO is an organisation working to raise up an army of heroes for an urgent global crisis - vulnerable children. They exist to see that grassroots organisations such as Eagles Wings are empowered to fulfill their vision. Over the past two years we have developed the partnership and in 2009 the partnership will include:

• Break the Cycle, an event to raise awareness and funds and to advocate for Governments to fulfill their commitment to the world’s poor through the Millennium Development Goals.
• Administration and donor receipting for both tax deductible and non-tax deductible gifts. This will be implemented by July 2009.
  

Visit the Be A Hero website

Helping Hands International - Helping Hands are a new partner with Eagles Wings and have committed to raising classroom sponsorship for the Monkey Fountain Campus. This is a huge task, but is greatly needed as the Monkey Fountain Campus continues to grow into a full school from grades 1-12. During 2009, Helping Hands will be searching for six donors for grades 1-6 or 180 children in total.

Visit the Helping Hands International website

Church Partners

Cleveland Baptist Church
Cleveland Baptist Church has contributed to the ministry of Eagles Wings prior to our official registration in Zambia and has formally partnered with Eagles Wings to pay for our administration costs. This allows Eagles Wings to deliver 100% of non-tax deductible donations to the grassroots level. This ability to maximise donor funds is an area that Eagles Wings is passionate about and values. It is encouraging that a local church would contribute in a way that is emotionally uninspiring but greatly needed to fulfill our vision.

Visit the Cleveland Baptist Church website

Victoria Point Baptist Church
Victoria Point Baptist Church has also contributed to the ministry of Eagles Wings prior to our official registration in Zambia. Pastor Joe Jansen has led two building teams to assist in the huge task of completing Stages 1 and 2 of the Monkey Fountain Campus and will be leading a third team in May 2009 to complete Stage 3. Many Victoria Point members have taken part in these teams and have seen the Christian community school grow and develop into a place of hope for many children throughout the poorer communities of Ndola.

Visit the Victoria Point Baptist Church website

Toongabbie Baptist Church
Toongabbie Baptist Church have formally partnered with Eagles Wings, financing the costs of our Director’s wage. This is exciting for Eagles Wings as we have a church that is interested in the people as well as the ministry. During 2008 Pastor Roger Harris led the Camp Team while a group within Toongabbie Baptist actually funded it! Toongabbie have encouraged Eagles Wings with their commitment to the ministry.

Visit the Toongabbie Baptist Church website

Bracken Ridge Baptist Church
Bracken Ridge Baptist Church are Eagles Wings first Australian partner church for the new Acts Initiative, an initiative that focuses on local church empowerment in social justice issues and brings together churches from developing countries with those from developed countries. Currently, Bracken Ridge have committed to supporting a full time social worker in a local church ministry to vulnerable children based in Lesotho. We look forward to developing both the partnership and also the Acts Initiative over the coming years where Bracken Ridge will play a vital role in its vision.

Visit the Bracken Ridge Baptist Church website