November 29, 2025
It is with deep sorrow that we report the passing of our beloved cooperative member, Peter Kakingwe. He underwent an emergency operation following a critical diagnosis and tragically passed away from complications during the operation. This loss has come as a great shock to all of us. Peter was dearly loved and respected and his absence will be deeply felt by his family, friends and all who knew him.
Peter lived with HIV, and we are reminded how fortunate our younger generation is to have access to medical care that Peter and others of his generation did not have when they were young. This situation had an impact on his long-term health.
The whole Living Compassion community gathered as we buried our friend and colleague.
He was loved by so many in the community.
The cooperative members in our white shirts and matching blue chitenge gathered around the gravesite. Many in the community tell us that it is at times like this that they see what a family the Living Compassion project is.
Peter’s daughter Esther has taken her father’s place in the cooperative. She and her brother Goliath are now the heads of their household, as their mother passed away a couple of years ago. It was a poignant moment for us a week or so later when Goliath came to Living Compassion to help his sister carry the bags of mealie meal.
Mealie meal day is quite a joyous occasion every month. Each cooperative member receives two bags of mealie meal to ensure that their family has plenty to eat. Here, cooperative member Zilo (left) and her relative Queen carry the bags. Queen is from a village in Zambia's Eastern Province.
Charity says thank you for the bags of mealie meal. She says it is such a gift not to have to struggle at home.