ABSTRACT
The opening of the copper belt in Northern Rhodesia is a challenge to Christian missions to both widen their activities and unite their efforts. A study of the mining communities and the conditions under which they live reveals the overwhelming opportunity and responsibility of those who have brought these people together. Social welfare is an activity in Africa and one in which technique and tested programmes adapted to Native needs are limited and experienced leadership is rare. The coming of the families of the workers to the mines opens a new group of social problems and widely extends the field of the welfare officer. In contrast to the mines, the Native town location offers a definite social responsibility to the Christian Church. Missionaries of various societies in the South African Union have secured notable co-operation from the European community in Christian social-welfare projects for Natives.
