Scientology Volunteer Ministers Aim for Greater Opportunity and Prosperity for the People of Zambia

A recent article in The Times of Zambia, acknowledged the work the Scientology Volunteer Ministers African Goodwill Tour is doing in that country.

The team, currently comprised of three Scientology Volunteer Ministers from South Africa, is led by Ms. Philippa Sondergaard, Director of the Scientology Volunteer Ministers for Africa. As the article points out, the motto of the team is "Something CAN be done about it," and the team members are confident that Scientology technology can help, even in situations where people are sure there is no solution. The team is in Kitwe, Zambia, after having spent two months in Lusaka.

The article points out that the Scientology Volunteer Ministers Southern Africa Goodwill Tour has helped thousands of teachers, students and pupils learn the technology of study developed by Scientology founder, L. Ron Hubbard. The team also worked with the Red Cross and St John's Ambulance in Lusaka, and have trained and worked with nurses and student nurses to provide them with techniques that address the spiritual factors that can slow down or prevent recovery from accidents and illnesses.

According to Ms. Sondergard, the Scientology Volunteer Ministers program was founded by author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard in the mid 1970s, in response to rising crime and violence in society, to foster understanding and compassion and provide people with practical solutions in life.

The Volunteer Ministers Southern Africa Goodwill Tour first launched in June 2005 and traveled throughout Botswana and Namibia before arriving in Zambia. From Kitwe, the team will return to Lusaka, move on to Eastern Province in Zambia and from there travel to Malawi and Mozambique.

"The full array of technology Scientology Volunteer Ministers learn can help in all areas of living," Ms. Sondergaard told The Times, referring to the Scientology Handbook as the textbook used for the training of the volunteers. "It includes such subjects as family and children, marriage, communication, learning and education and workplace stress. It helps people deal with their worries and upsets, enables them to their attain goals in life, gives them a boost in their honesty and integrity, makes it possible to overcome suppression and get along better with others, and avoid the tragedy of drug and alcohol addiction." Ms. Sondergaard made it clear that the workshops are offered free of charge with the aim of reaching as many people as possible.

"Scientology applied religious philosophy is something you use," said Ms. Sondergaard. "It is applied because one does Scientology; religious because it addresses one as a spiritual being and enhances one's abilities in dealing with life thus making people more able. Using it, people can control life rather than feel that life is controlling them."

"The word Scientology means the study of knowledge or knowing how to know," she went on to say. "It deals with life and provides simple usable tools to handle the everyday problems which most people face."

The article goes on to cover the extent of Scientology Volunteer Ministers worldwide activity: more than 100,000 volunteers involved in emergency services, providing disaster response training, conducting training programs and providing help in their communities.

Scientology Volunteer Ministers helped at the Twin Tower disaster in New York and in the aftermath of the South Asia tsunami. They have given support to fire fighters from Cape Town to Southern California and Australia. They were there helping during floods in Central Europe, Uganda and Mozambique, during the notorious 2005 Hurricanes in Louisiana in the United States and in countless other disasters all over the world.

The Scientology web site at www.scientology.org includes videos of testimonials from mayors, legislators, relief organization leaders, church ministers, fire fighters, police and people from all walks of life, expressing their thanks for the help Scientology Volunteer Ministers provide during the most trying of times.

The Scientology Volunteer Ministers intend to reach out to and help people in all the countries of Africa. To help accomplish this there are two Scientology Volunteer Minister Goodwill Tours on the African continent—Ms. Sondergaard's team in Zambia and another tour that is traveling through West Africa. These are joined by Goodwill Tours in the Australia Outback, Central Europe, India, Siberia, Asia, the South Pacific and South America; and Continental Volunteer Ministers Cavalcades provide help throughout North America and Western Europe.

L. Ron Hubbard described the qualities of the Scientology Volunteer Minister in these terms: "A volunteer minister does not shut his eyes to the pain, evil and injustice of existence. Rather he or she is trained to handle these things and help others achieve relief from them and new personal strength as well."

"People should realize that there is no problem which cannot be solved," said Ms. Sondergaard, who urges Zambians and people in any city, town or country where the Scientology Volunteer Ministers are operating, to take advantage of the Volunteer Ministers services to improve conditions in their lives.