After only 5 days the walls of our building are coming up quickly. We are so grateful for all the people who gave or are giving regularly to make it happen. Without a doubt, not only are we building a school with bricks and mortar, but we are building a school with a strong educational, moral, and spiritual foundation.

 

 

 

Amazing Machine!!

This summer a team from Fairfax Community Church in VA came to help. One of the members of the team – Chris – saw our need for a laser jet printer. We have been using ink jet printers and we go through ink cartridges every few days, as well as using up the machines themselves. Chris promised that when he returned to the US he would get us a laser jet printer and get it to us in Zambia. Today was the first day that I used it and it is WONDERFUL!!!!!!!! (Benedict had already used it.) I just plugged my computer into the printer and the printing was done so quickly.

At the school we do a lot of copying. It will be such a blessing to use this new printer, save us money on the ink cartridges, and save us time. We are very blessed at the generosity of individuals who see a need and want to help meet it. There is always a list of things that might seem small, or things that we take for granted in the states, that are needed. We survive without them, but what a blessing when we are able to get them!

National Teacher’s Holiday-Friday October 5

October 5th is a day when the Zambian Government recognizes teachers throughout the country.  It is a school holiday.  Some schools do special things for the teachers.  We know of a couple of schools that brought their teachers to Ibis for a special outing. 

I want to celebrate the teachers at the School of Hope and thank God for bringing them to us.  Here is the story of a couple of them:
Bruce was raised by his mother and grandmother.  His father died when he was in Grade 9, but his father was never around.  His mother died during his Grade 12 year.  He and his mother were very close, somewhat contrary to some of the things I’ve learned about the traditional cultural roles.  He recently shared with me about his relationship to her and about her death and burial.  Bruce is an outstanding role model for our children, students, and the other teachers.  He is a tremendous blessing.

Emmanuel was an orphan at the age of 12.  After that time he was living in an orphan care facility.  A lady in the UK began to sponsor him, to pay for his education and he was able to get a diploma (3years of schooling) because she was providing the money.  Recently he received notice that she was very ill.  She is old and he has never met her but they communicated and he is very fond of her.  He has an older brother who, out of his meager earnings, would send him a little money now and then.  The brother is now looking for a job and Emmanuel has been helping to support him and his wife and child.  Now Emmanuel finds joy to teaching students with whom he can identify because of the loss of parents.

Zandile is a Teacher Assistant.  She has been working for us for over 3 years.  She first came to Village of Hope to help with Matildah after Matildah came to our Village having suffered a bad burn.  Through a serious of circumstances, she ended up at the school.  She has been working to get her Grade 12 tests taken.  She is proficient in English and translates some for Pastor Zulu where she attends church.  She and her sister Sishle (who works as the cook at our school) are taking care of 5 children in their home.  The most recent addition was a 3 year old boy whose father died last year leaving him without either parent.

From difficult circumstances, God has raised up leaders, educators, and adults who will be part of changing Zambia as they teach a future generation.

Labor Day

May 1 is Labor Day in Zambia.  It is expected that every business will select some of their employees to receive an award and a gift of either money or goods.  We are a little late but today we had a meeting of the workers and gave awards to 7 people from both the non-profit and businesses. 

Benedict spoke for the administration and all of us in thanking all the workers for the dedication and commitment to working on behalf of the children who are here.  We do have wonderful workers who are doing a good job.