Derrick Silimina

Derrick Silimina is an award-winning multimedia journalist based in Lusaka, Zambia. His work has appeared on many media platforms in Zambia and abroad. He holds a diploma in journalism and public relations from the Zambia Institute of Mass Communications. He is the former editor of one of the country's leading agricultural publications and is currently an executive writer with Solwezi Today Magazine and This is Zambia Magazine, one of the top business and Investment magazines in the country.

By this Author

A nun and a teacher stand in front of a class.

Sisters in Zambia support children with disabilities

In Zambia, Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary manage a school to teach and support children with disabilities. More than 200 children with disabilities are enrolled there. 

Sr. Adelina Adao, assistant administrator for Our Lady's Health Centre, attends to a patient during her routine work in one of the wards at the health center in Kalingalinga, one of the densely populated slums near Lusaka. (GSR photo/Derrick Silimina)

Sisters in Zambia improve access to health care, particularly for those with HIV/AIDS

A sisters-run health center provides easier access to quality health care for patients in need, especially those with HIV/AIDS. The center's community posts alleviate fear of stigma and help clients get essential treatment.

Mercy Sr. Christabel Kazembe interacts with mothers and their children during one of her community outreach programs with Strengthening the Capacity of Religious Women in Early Childhood Development (SCORE-ECD) in Zambia. (Courtesy of Christabel Kazembe)

Sisters nurture young children in Zambia by teaching mothers parenting skills

Through group sessions and home visits, more than 1,600 mothers in Zambia have benefited from the program known as "Strengthening the Capacity of Religious Women in Early Childhood Development" (SCORE-ECD).

Man holds book in bookstore.

Sisters' bookshop, media programming evangelize Zambia's Catholics

A bookstore in Lusaka, Zambia, operated by the Pious Society of the Daughters of St. Paul, helps people grow in their faith as Christians, and how they can become true friends of Jesus.

Sr. Beatrice Mwansa of the Daughters of the Redeemer in her office at the Zambia Institute of Mass Communications in Lusaka (Derrick Silimina)

Q & A with Sr. Beatrice Mwansa, spreading truth and faith through the media

Zambian Sr. Beatrice Mwansa of the Daughters of the Redeemer believes society cannot underestimate the role of the media in evangelism because it can spread God's message to the world "in a flash of a minute."

Sisters in Africa debunk myths and educate people to get the COVID-19 vaccine

In Africa, there is rampant misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine. To save lives amid the pandemic, Catholic sisters have been working to educate and encourage people to get vaccinated as the best means to fight the virus.

Sr. Judith Bozek, a Missionary Sister of the Holy Family, shares a light moment with Esnart Kangwa (in pink shirt), one of the elderly residents at the Cheshire Divine Providence Home, located in a large slum just southwest of Lusaka, Zambia.

Holy Family sisters shelter orphans, elderly homeless in Zambia facility

In a large slum just southwest of Lusaka, the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Family operate the Cheshire Divine Providence Home amid COVID-19 hardships, housing more than 20 elderly homeless people and 30 orphans.

Sr. Caroline Ngatia of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Sisters of Eldoret shares breakfast with the street families in Nairobi, Kenya. (Doreen Ajiambo)

In Africa, sisters lead the way to replace orphanages with family care

The goal is as simple as it is complicated to achieve: Shift the care of children from institutions like orphanages to a family or family-like environment.