ZAM’s pastoral ministry is more prominent in which the cream of its membership is involved, and has earned the appreciation of the local bishops and people. Their contributions to the local church in their different capacities and positions are substantial. The size of ZAM and the challenges it confronts do not deter it from exploring new frontiers and expanding its missionary presence.

What is more significant about ZAM is that it’s able to house two common formation programs such as Novitiate and Philosophate. The international SVD Novitiate in Kabwe has nine (9) novices coming from five (5) countries with different linguistic backgrounds. But all of them were able to interact with me fairly well in English. They were happy, free and feeling at home. They were appreciative of the good environment, location, and the facilities of the Novitiate, and its proximity to St. Charles Lwanga parish in Chindwin, which is administered by the SVDs, and which is helpful for their pastoral involvement on weekends. If adequately staffed, this ideal and intercultural Novitiate can accommodate as many as twenty (20) novices.

ZAM is happy to host another international formation house in Lusaka. The SVD Philosophy House has twelve (12) students from Zambia and Zimbabwe, undergoing a three-year philosophy curriculum at the Franciscan University of St. Bonaventure, which is at a walkable distance.

Sustaining these two common formation houses, ZAM plays a substantial role in the formation program of AFRAM Zone. With the rigorous implementation of the Ratio Formationis Generalis and an enhanced staff, these two common formation houses can have a greater impact in training missionaries in the Zone for the worldwide mission.