Who We Are

PDH Foundation is an organization that is 100% dedicated to the fulfilment of the Great Commission that Jesus Christ commanded just before He poured out His Spirit and left His disciples. PDH Foundation exists for the sole purpose of seeing God’s Kingdom advance through the sustainable multiplication of life-changing missions. We believe God has called us to join His Kingdom Business by using our talents as builders, architects, engineers, and business people to generate and deploy capital in support of missions across Zambia in the immediate future and ultimately in all of Africa.  As members of the Body of Christ we strive to fulfil our function in three strategic areas in obedience to that command:

A. Restoration of a sense of dignity among Zambian nationals now (and ultimately all of African nationals). We understand sustainable change requires a holistic approach. The jobs created in this process will provide the job holders a means to provide for their families, restoring a sense of dignity. The skill training makes them more marketable, providing HOPE and SECURITY for future life. The spiritual development they experience in this process compels them to share the love of Christ with others, ensuring transformation. By empowering individuals both spiritually and economically, God can use them to transform their communities

B. Transformation of Zambian Christian mission organizations into self-sustaining mission organizations. Our passion is to see missionaries sustained predominantly through ongoing income generated from real estate development projects – making it easier for missionaries to focus on their calling and less focused on raising money to sustain their activities. We commit to create capital to support the members of the Body who are called to traditional missions

C. Serving as responsible stewards for the resources entrusted to it by donors and supporters who use PDH as a conduit that connects their support to the work of PDH.

Background

The founders of PDH and its supporters are people with diverse skills and interests united in their love for and devotion to Christ.  They recognize that Zambian missions historically have been fragile at best with former models, dependent on charitable contributions, being perpetually “desperate” for support and not very intentional regarding the sustainability of the work once started.  Many Zambian missions serve for a while and then the principals return to their home countries and the work of their respective missions essentially ends. PDH encourages the individual in accord with the principles found in Luke 10 and challenge them to spread the peace, love and joy of Christ in the communities where they live as many will ask; “What happened to that individual? He used to be a drunk, a homeless person or a frowned upon person. Now look at him!”

The early roots of PDH can be traced to two South African missionaries, who are blood brothers, coming out of South Africa. They operated separately, one starting in 2000 in Malawi then in 2003 in Botswana living and working among the Khoisan bush people; and the other starting in Zambia in 2005.  They joined forces in 2014 when they started to implement a Business as Mission (‘BAM’) concept.  The BAM concept aims at fully integrating mission work and sound business operations to the end that the mission is fully self-sustaining and is no longer reliant principally on charitable contributions.  Since 2014 these two missionaries successfully completed several construction projects in Zambia for various mission organizations, with limited funding but ample commitment from supporters all over the world.  While the idea germinated in 2008, it took root in 2014.  To date achievements include the construction of a number of schools, an orphanage, a clinic, and a training center.  It also built flats and townhouses that generate a revenue stream that sustains the missions that commissioned those projects.  The most prominent project to date has been the building of a four-star hotel in Kabwe that opened its doors in 2019 and is presently operating successfully.

In 2021 and 2022 the main business operations of PDH (specifically the Urban Bliss Hotel, Ltd. and the construction operations carried out by PDH) were divested and became independent, privately-owned businesses that dedicate significant portions of their net income to support the three purposes of PDH.  While the businesses are divested from the purely missional operations of PDH, all entities are operating with the same overriding purpose: obedience to the Great Commission.  At present this is achieved through interlocking directorates of the three organizations.  As other businesses come online, the network of related organizations can all be part of the ecosystem herein defined as PDH.

The divestiture of the revenue-generating elements has served to provide high degree of clarity for the essential mission of PDH.  The purpose of this document is to provide a framework that articulates the vision, mission, and strategy for PDH the Public Benefit Organization (‘PBO’), independent of its funding sources, as well as describe the essential operating principles of PDH in carrying out its work.

One of the implicit goals of PDH is to ensure the work that germinated in 2008, that came together in earnest in 2014, and which has prospered since, will endure well into the future regardless of the identity of the individuals who are presently stewarding this work. PDH has grown spiritually and economically.  It does not seek to replace the work of the church, but rather to extend the work of the church into every aspect of daily life.  At the same time, PDH seeks to challenge the wider community in which it operates to do the same.  There is so much that remains to be done. 

PDH, its directors and supporters are greatly encouraged and motivated by many existing working partnerships that have developed over the years with Operation Mobilization International, Life Trust Zambia, Driven Ministries, Grace Ministries International, LivingHope International, Liebenzell Missions, Umweo Church Hospital, North Swaka Trust, and local churches and businesses.

The directors and supporter of PDH pray that God will enlarge its impact with foundations, families, businesses, and individuals partnering with PDH to fulfil the Great Commission in this unique approach that has worked well so far in Zambia.  Needless to say, the full unfoldment of the PDH concept can be even greater should the example it provides serve to inspire other organizations to do the same both in Zambia and elsewhere.

As previously noted, PDH serves three stakeholders:

A.  Individual Zambian nationals.

B.  Mission organizations operating in Zambia.

C.  Donors & supporters worldwide who wish to entrust their resources to the stewardship of PDH.

Vision, Mission & Strategy

The Vision

The vision of PDH is the “picture” that one can see in the mind’s eye of the world if and when PDH has fully accomplished its purpose.  PDH has a three-faceted vision, with each facet representing the picture of success envisioned for each class of stakeholder:

A.   Every Zambian national who interacts with PDH is growing in the restoration of his/her sense of dignity.

B.   Every Christian mission in Zambia now, and in all of Africa later, which is supported by PDH is on a path towards a self-sustaining existence.

C.  Donors & supporters of PDH find it to be a fully transparent and accountable steward of all resources entrusted to it.

The Mission

The mission of PDH is the actual work that PDH does in order to realize its vision.  Once again, the work comes in three varieties, one for each class of stakeholder:

A.   Afford individuals a variety of means of support and encouragement, in accordance with operating guidelines adopted by PDH, including but not limited to: granting educational and training scholarships, providing financial assistance to qualifying individuals and families, granting financing assistance for individuals setting up individual proprietary (small) businesses, and facilitate the provision of intervention services for individuals who find themselves in crisis situations.

B.   PDH cooperates with existing Christian Missions in defining, planning for, funding, and implementing income-generating business ventures which exist for the dual purpose of:

(a) Operating a sound business that operates on Christian principles.

(b) Dedicating at least 1/3 of its net income to the support the client mission.

C.   Donors and supporters of PDH find that PDH consistently operates in a fully sound and transparent manner, including but not limited to: providing quarterly updates on its progress, commissioning (and publishing the results of) an independent financial annual audit, identifying and reporting on objective parameters of achievement of PDH, reserving at least 1/3 of the membership of the board of directors of PDH for donors & supporters, and adopting operating guidelines to prevent conflicts of interest in all its operations and eliminate all possibilities of employees, directors, and others enriching themselves as a result of affiliating and/or working with PDH.

The Strategy

The strategy of PDH represents the broad choices PDH makes on the way it achieves its mission on the way to realizing its vision.  Once again, the strategy is in three forms:

A.   With respect to individuals the key strategy is to empower, encourage, mentor, and otherwise lend a hand so that individuals who interact with PDH are on a path of self-reliance.  This strategy can best be summarized with the famous admonition: do not give a person a fish, rather teach a person to fish.

B.   With respect to Christian Missions, the main strategy is that each mission that is supported by PDH operates at least one sound business that provides opportunities for employment and training as well as serve to provide a continuing funding source of the parent mission.

C.   With respect to donors and supporters the main strategy is to maintain close and continuing relationship with donors and supporters to the end that donors and supporters are always engaged, participate in the cultivation of ideas and new sources of support, and celebrate & enjoy the fruits of the PDH labours.

Funding Sources

A variety of funding sources are envisioned.  At the present time there are two operating businesses which have committed a significant part of their earning streams to the support of PDH.

Below is a listing of possible revenue streams that can support PDH:

A.   Equity (or structured debt instruments) in private or public for-profit enterprises.

B.   Donations from individuals.

C.   Donations from for-profit enterprises in Zambia and from elsewhere.

D.   Donation from not-for-profit organizations.

E.   Rental income from projects erected in part with support from PDH.

It is currently envisioned that the primary funding mechanism for PDH Foundation will come from Businesses that pledge to give a percentage of net income or shares.  That will give PDH a baseline of operating capital to have a sustainable impact on missions.  

Eligible Applicants for PDH Support

It is envisioned that three classes of eligible applicants will be able to apply to PDH for support.  In the paragraphs below a general description of each of the classes with broad parameters that define the class in such a way so as to allow PDH great latitude in accepting applications for support.

Individuals

At the highest level any individual Zambian national is eligible to apply to PDH for support.  The special emphasis for PDH will be on supporting educational and training opportunities to those who are not able to access them directly.  This effort in training, educating and empowering Zambian nationals will be 100% targeted at helping his Excellency, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, the current president of Zambia, as he is also focusing on training up and developing a stronger Zambia through quality education and training.  The types of opportunities that PDH will support will be those that are consistent with the vision, mission, and strategy of PDH.  More specifically PDH will emphasize those who seek to put to good use their God-given talents through educational and professional training.  To that end, PDH will work with its partners in the Zambian Christian Mission community to connect with and identify suitable candidates.  The selection process from applicants is discussed below.  In addition, PDH will engage in an outreach program to communicate the availability of its programs to potential candidates.  The timing and nature of such outreach programs will be determined by the PDH board and reviewed and updated from to time.

A special category of individuals who are eligible for support from PDH is the category of frontline missionaries.  PDH will look to create empowerment and sustainable funding for individual missionaries.  A missionary, in order to be eligible, must have been in this specific field and with the same organization, for at least five years and be recommended for support by his or her Sending Organization and/or church.  The general idea is for PDH to purchase a home for the approved missionary in a larger town house complex.  The sectional title deed will be in possession of the Sending Organization for an additional five years while the home is rented out to the public and the monthly rental income transferred to the missionary’s account.  After 5 years, the Sectional Title Deed will be transferred to the missionary’s personal name.  This program will be restricted to Zambian nationals.  Missionaries contemplated for this program include full-time ministry leaders, full-time church planters, full-time evangelists, and similar. 

Christian Mission Organizations

Any Christian Mission organization operating in Zambia that seeks to begin its journey towards becoming a self-sustaining mission is eligible to apply for support from PDH.

More specifically PDH will support the development of sustainable funding for Christian Mission organizations operating in Zambia by:

1.    Investing in rental housing units that can be constructed on a property owned by a mission organization.

2.    Investing in housing units that can be purchased from a larger townhouse complex.

3.    Investing in shares of Businesses operating on Christian principles, on behalf of the mission organization.

4.    Investing in fixed deposit accounts with local reputable financial institution.

These investments can create a sustainable revenue stream that can fund various mission programs and/or administrative & operating expenses. In terms of priorities, PDH first will strive to develop sustainable funding in the operations of the mission’s organization, and secondly will look to develop sustainability to the mission projects, administrative & operating expenses. PDH Foundation also may look to give scholarships or bursaries to individuals working in these organizations to obtain qualifications to work in specialized areas. 

Donors & Supporters

This category of applicants includes all those who wish to apply some or all of their time, talent, and/or resources to support the idea of Business as Mission.  This is contrasted with the typical missionary support model: that of donating funds to provide direct support for various missions.  The model PDH intends to support is that funds are invested in businesses that in turn aim to support Zambian missions.  In other words, donors (whether individuals or organizations) can invest funds, through PDH, in business operations that are intended to provide predictable revenue streams to designated mission organizations.  There is no prohibition to investors participating in the profits of businesses they support that are primarily aimed at supporting mission organizations. Also, donors would have options of insisting that the donated funds be used and then repaid with necessary administration fees added.  This will enable the donor to keep on giving and also receive a tax-deductible donation.

Criteria for Selection for Support by PDH

The principal criterion for acceptance of applications for PDH support is the absolute, clear, and unequivocal declaration of commitment to the Great Commission; that the work that is to be supported by PDH on behalf of individuals or organizations applying for support is aimed at demonstrating obedience to the Great Commission.

Additional secondary criteria for acceptance of applications for PDH support differ by category of beneficiary but must be consistent with the mission of PDH.  The board of directors of PDH will adopt specific acceptance criteria and those criteria will be reviewed and updated from time to time.  Also, the criteria that are current will be published on the PDH website. 

Amplifying notes

PDH Foundation Expanded Vision.  PDH Foundation, in partnering with donors and organizations with shared purpose and vision, seeks to allocate funds and resources to sustainable projects that will support mission organizations and/or individuals to carry out their God-given life calling.  Since its inception, PDH has always looked to prioritize ways to empower orphans, homeless, disabled, or deaf persons.  The empowerment activities will continue to be accomplished primarily through partnering with Zambian Mission Organizations, Local Businesses and Individuals who hold the same value system as PDH.  The Board of Directors, the General Manager, and every PDH team member or employee ensures the organization stays focused on this original mission concept as it seeks with whom to partner with.  In the past PDH Foundation has sought to empower and disciple Zambians by giving bursaries & scholarships, career skills & life development skills.  PDH will continue to equip Zambians directly and indirectly with bursaries & scholarships but the practical empowerment and discipleship that has been done through PDH in the past will continue through our partners, both in businesses that fund PDH and mission organizations who are beneficiaries. 

The role of PDH is limited to:

(a) The allocation of financial resources that will benefit missionaries and mission organizations in line with the established mission and vision.

(b) Making sure that the desired outputs of the various projects and grants are fully realized.

PDH Board of Directors.  PDH operates under the control and supervision of an independent board of directors to provide oversight and accountability to all stakeholder.

PDH Employment and Staffing.  Initially, PDH Foundation will have minimal staffing needs to operate effectively.  To begin, there will need to be a part time General Manager, a part time Manager of Finance, and a part time Project Coordinator.  The Manager of Finance is responsible for all financial transactions and reporting.  The General Manager is responsible for the successful execution of the mission of PDH, including the promotion of the goals and mission of PDH, approving fund dispersions to projects that best coincide with the goals of PDH in accordance with the criteria adopted by the board of directors, maintain relations with donors, maintaining an informative and attractive website, and maintaining current marketing materials complete with appropriate testimonial materials.  The Project Coordinator is responsible for all administrative and client relations with the various partner organizations, missionaries, and prospective students.  The Project Coordinator will be responsible for developing all information and materials necessary to enable PDH to make its granting decision.  Finally, the Project Coordinator will also provide bi-annual reports on the grant recipients and submit to the General Manager.

Process of Application for Funding.  The board of directors will adopt the procedure for applying for PDH support.  Such procedures will be proposed by the General Manager and the board of director will adopt those procedure as is or as amended.  Such procedures will be reviewed and updated from time to time.  The current procedures would be published on the PDH website.

Distribution of Funds

To Frontline Missionaries

The term Missionary will be limited to a full-time ministry leader, a full-time church planter, or a full-time evangelist.  Funding for employees in Zambian Mission Organizations, such as administrative staff, teachers, general workers etc. is to be funded by the Mission Organization.  The missionary must be working in this capacity with the same Zambian mission organization for a minimum of 5 years, before PDH would consider him/her for this option.  PDH also retains the right to identify a particular missionary for these purposes.

Mission Organizations

PDH will only fund evangelical mission organizations working in Zambia.  The target group of organizations will be the organizations that PDH has been working with over the past fifteen years.  This does not rule out any new organizations being identified, but rather helps to focus our attention on a group of organizations.

 Scholarships/Bursaries

There will be no obligation from the qualifying individual to work for PDH Foundation or any donor after completing his or her bursary program with PDH.  The individual however is obligated to serve with the mission organization or sister company where he/she was identified for the same period that they received a scholarship.

Special Note

Upon approval of a funding request for a sustainable construction project.  PDH will ONLY engage SIMPEL, a sister real estate development company, for project development and construction of the approved building project.  For example, if the project is rental flats for a mission organization, the mission organization will receive the funds from PDH in the organization’s bank account.  The organization will send PDH a receipt for the funds received and then transfer the funds (without diminution) to SIMPEL Real Estate Ltd. in payment to construct the approved property for the organization.  SIMPEL Real Estate will receipt the mission organization for the funds received.

Reporting to Donors

 The General Manager of PDH renders an annual report to donors of the funds so distributed.  For donors giving to a specific project, there will be a bi-annual reporting communication for the duration of the project.  Donors may also contact the recipients personally.

To the extent SIMPEL’s capacity and skills cannot accommodate a particular project, appropriately skilled subcontractors will be brought in to fill the vacuum.