Statement of Faith
What motivates the Limapela Foundation?
The Foundation is motivated by the Christian principle of care and compassion for those less fortunate, for in so doing we do it for God himself. “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’” — Matthew 25:37–40 (NIV). -lima means to cultivate, and -pela means to give in Bemba, the most widely spoken language in Zambia.
Our Vision
- For high standards of practical education within poorer communities in Zambia, based on the Christian values of honesty, compassion, justice, forgiveness and servanthood.
- For the qualities of self-reliance, imagination and adaptability that are required for the survival of Africa’s young people today.
- For school communities that are inclusive, supportive, self-sufficient and financially independent.
- For the support of the vulnerable in both schools and communities, especially those affected by the AIDS pandemic.
Christianity in Education
We recognise that many of the values that teachers and parents would want to see promoted in their schools and classrooms worldwide are in fact values that are embodied in Christianity. Other religions and belief systems may also embrace these values. Western legal codes and traditions of morality are based on them. But these values are nonetheless deeply embedded in the Judeo-Christian tradition.
The founders of Limapela embrace these values. We see Christianity as ‘holistic’ in terms of its educational philosophy. Belief in, and adherence to, Christian values motivates the Limapela Foundation and underpins its activities, whether or not these activities are interpreted by others as inherently Christian in nature.
We see God the creator as the source of love and of all that is good, and who desires these things for his creation. We believe that the vocation of Jesus Christ was to bring light, life and redemption to humankind. We believe that human beings have the choice to interact with God their creator through worship and prayer in whatever form these activities might take.
We are naturally encouraged when our worldview is embraced by the children and young people we serve, but Limapela does not proselytise. Our vision is to provide in every way possible for their educational and humanitarian needs, motivated always by the Christian values we embrace.
The Christian Values We Embrace
Humility
“For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” — Luke 18: 14 (NIV)
Justice, mercy and faithfulness
“You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.” — Matthew 23: 23 (NIV)
Forgiveness
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” — Matthew 6: 14 (NIV)
Reconciliation, unity and peace
“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” — Matthew 5: 23-24 (NIV)
Honesty and integrity
“But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” — Matthew 5: 34-37 (NIV)
Generosity
“Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” — Matthew 5: 42 (NIV)
Servanthood
“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave — just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” — Matthew 20: 25-28 (NIV)
Compassion and care for the less fortunate
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me .... Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” — Matthew 25: 35-40 (NIV)
Embracing right behavior and rejecting wrong
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” — Matthew 5: 6 (NIV)
Compliance with law and rules
“Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” — Matthew 22: 19-21 (NIV)
Rejection of hypocrisy and greed
“You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.” — Matthew 23: 27-28 (NIV)
Loving your neighbour as yourself
“Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” — Mark 12: 29-31 (NIV)