Kafakumba Retreat Program
A Three-Month Reset in Zambia
A three-month reset in Zambia for youth and young adults. Leave the noise behind, take personal responsibility, and build confidence through real skills and real accomplishments.
Freedom • Responsibility • Skills
Finding Purpose • Gaining Dignity • Restoring Wholeness
Kafakumba offers a focused environment for personal development. Here, away from the constant buzz of modern life, you'll find space to develop real skills, take on meaningful responsibilities, and achieve tangible results. We believe growth happens when the whole person—body, mind, and spirit—is challenged and cared for together.
Founded over 25 years ago by John Enright and carried forward by the Enright & Steury families, we've kept our program intentionally small—roughly 15 alumni—ensuring each participant receives genuine attention and support.
From buildings to water features and civil projects—tangible work that matters. You’ll leave with skills you can use anywhere.
Live and work alongside Zambians. Here, the learning often flows the other way—you’re the one being helped to grow.
Days are owned by you. Every person here is treated with dignity and respect in an environment of trust, understanding, and compassion.
“Life-changing, wild, character-building.” Expect to be stretched. Expect to find strength you didn’t know you had.
Three months. One honest chance to take responsibility, grow in skill and confidence, and reset your direction.
Simple living • Hard work • Solid guidance
— Visit
Central Zambia
Kafakumba is a living community—workshops, fields, and gathering spaces. Zambia isn’t the point; it’s the place where this kind of growth can happen with stability and support.
— Stories of Change
Hear from those who've experienced the transformative power of the program.
— Impact
A concise snapshot of Kafakumba's long-term impact and outcomes.
Years in existence
Program participants
Reported success rate
Continued work at the center or ministries
— Find Us
— Team
A small, dedicated team that runs the retreat and supports participants through practical training, health care, and ongoing mentorship.
— Life Here
Get your hands dirty and your mind steady. Below are the core activity areas where participants learn practical skills, serve the community, and grow personally.
Work directly alongside the clinic near Kafakumba Training Center — supporting basic care, health education, and community outreach.
Hands-on building at the training center: masonry, carpentry, and small civil works that teach practical trade skills.
Support local sports projects, coaching, and outreach as part of the new sports complex initiatives and youth programs.
Occasional guided wildlife camping and short safaris near the region — experiential learning and conservation awareness (* - not a standard option, used as needed).
Structured time for reflection, electronics cleanse, and guided solitude practices to foster personal growth and clarity.
— Our Story
Over two decades of nurturing growth, purpose, and community in Zambia.
Ken Enright and family establish the Kafakumba Training Center in Zambia, laying the groundwork for all of Kafakumba's ministries.
John Enright begins doing informal mentorship, pioneering a personalized approach to growth and development.
Nate and Elinda Steury join the Kafakumba team, bringing fresh energy and vision to the mission.
Following John Enright's passing, Nate and Elinda Steury carry on as-needed mentorship of various individuals.
Launch of the Kafakumba Retreat Program, formalizing the proven mentorship approach with structured support and expanded resources.
— Typical Day
Each participant's day is adjusted to skill level, health needs, and learning objectives — below is a sample schedule to show structure and rhythm.
Wake-up call, personal hygiene, brief reflection. Gentle start to prepare for the day.
Light exercise or group run to build stamina and community energy.
Shared breakfast with simple, nourishing meals.
Hands-on training in the woodshop: safety briefing, tool use, and skill practice aligned with construction projects.
Midday meal and rest — time to reflect, connect, and prepare for afternoon work.
Practical site work: masonry, site prep, or civil tasks supervised by the operations team. Tasks vary by project phase.
Group debrief, safety check-ins, reflection on learning, and planning for the next day.
Evening meal and time to unwind with peers.
Optional activities: reading, small group discussions, or quiet time. Mentoring and peer support are available.
Rest and recovery to prepare for the next day.
Notes: Individual schedules include regular wellbeing check-ins. When needed, participants meet with the mental wellbeing advisor or health coordinator for counseling, medication reviews, or other health support — always handled with discretion and care.
— Impact
Every participant's journey is unique, but these core elements shape every story:
Possess foundational skills and tangible accomplishments
Built through completed projects and overcome challenges
A renewed sense of stability, direction and personal responsiblity
Build new friendships and reconnect positively with family and community
Some alumni return to the U.S. with new direction. Others find their identity fits better in Africa—and stay.
Three months. One chance to take control, grow in skill and confidence, and walk away stronger than you came.
Take Responsibility • Gain Confidence • Live Simply
— Questions & Answers
Detailed information about our program structure, safety, and operations.
The program is for any youth or young adult who is at a crossroads in life and is looking for a fresh perspective. This can range from troubled youth under court supervision to well adjusted individuals simply seeking guidance amongst a myriad of good options. Whatever the needs may be, the Kafakumba Retreat Program is flexible in serving you wherever you are on your life journey.
The program is open to individuals of all faiths and backgrounds. While the Kafakumba Retreat is founded upon and incorporates Christian principles, it is designed to be inclusive and supportive of each participant's unique journey. While here, participants will be expected to adhere to our codes of conduct and respect the values of the community.
The program has remained intentionally small, averaging a limited number of participants each year to ensure individual attention and accountability.
Most participants complete the program and return home with improved stability, stronger work habits, and a renewed sense of direction. Many maintain ongoing contact with staff and community members after departure.
The program is administered by Kafakumba Logistics Corporation, a Florida-registered corporation that manages international logistics and participant support. Charitable donations and sponsorships are processed through Enright Flight Ministry, a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Kafakumba operates within the long-standing Kafakumba Mission community in central Zambia, using established facilities and local partnerships for lodging, safety, and community engagement.
All official correspondence and compliance reporting are coordinated by Outreach Coordinator — Chester Enright, who ensures verified information flow between U.S. authorities and the on-site team.
Yes, with full parental consent and verified travel authorization. Parents retain guardianship throughout the program.
Parents or guardians are notified immediately. The participant is escorted to the airport and assisted with travel arrangements for safe return to the United States.
Yes. Every participant must carry comprehensive travel medical insurance that includes emergency evacuation coverage.
Each participant (and parent, if under 18) signs a liability and responsibility waiver acknowledging program policies and personal obligations before departure.
Routine and emergency care are available nearby through licensed medical providers, coordinated by the on-site operations team.
The Operations Lead (David Steury) oversees daily routines, work projects, and safety protocols. Staff live on or near the mission compound and maintain continuous presence.
Yes. The retreat is located within a mission compound with controlled access and reliable local security. Transportation and lodging are organized through approved providers.
Health matters are monitored by qualified personnel with extensive experience in healthcare and field operations. All medical protocols follow U.S.-equivalent standards for first response and referral.
Written updates are provided as often as required by any referring court, probation office, or attending professional — typically every two to four weeks.
Protocols include behavioral review, parental contact, and coordination with the referring authority to determine appropriate next steps or early return travel.
Yes. We can implement verification of attendance, counseling sessions, behavioral testing, and other compliance measures as directed by a court or supervising agency.
All official correspondence is prepared by the Program Liaison after receiving verified data from the on-site team.
Yes. Any significant incident, departure, or breach of program conditions is reported promptly to the parent/guardian and designated court contact.
Yes. Upon completion, Kafakumba issues a written summary confirming participation, program adherence, and recommendations for continued growth.
Kafakumba Logistics Corporation assists with visa processing, travel coordination, and airport transfers to and from the mission compound.
Simple, gender-segregated housing on the mission grounds, with shared meals, work projects, and community activities.
Personal phones and internet access are limited to preserve focus and structure, with scheduled communication times or emergency access as needed.
Parents and guardians receive updates through the Program Liaison, ensuring verified and consistent information.
Kafakumba Retreat provides a secure, structured, and rehabilitative environment emphasizing personal responsibility, community service, and accountability.
The program can:
For official inquiries or documentation requests:
Chester Enright — Outreach Coordinator
Email: kafakumbaretreat@gmail.com
US Phone Number: (520) 777-1494
— Get Started
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