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.