Child Protection Zambia Project #7320

Support Vulnerable Children in Monze, Zambia

by HANDS AROUND THE WORLD

Project Report | Jul 8, 2013
July 2013 Update

By Chris Barrell | HATW Project Co-ordinator

We do have some unfortunate news before we give the positive progress updates. Unfortunately, one of the children died recently. Bowas was a young boy in grade 4 – about 11 years old. Zambia has one of the lowest life expectancies in the world and unfortunately childhood deaths are far too common. Our thoughts are very much with his family and friends who are trying to cope with this tragedy.

The school children have been busy in the school garden, planting tomatoes and other vegetables. It is currently the dry season so the plants need to be watered using buckets. The school has a borehole and hand pump which supplies good clean water.

Some of the school tables and benches used by the students have become damaged over the years. A programme has been started to repair them.

A trip to Livingstone is being planned for some of the children. At Livingstone there is the Victoria Falls, the Zambesi and a National Park where elephants, white rhinos, buffaloes and hippos can be seen, together with other animals and birds. This will be a very exciting trip for the children.

Examinations start in about two weeks and the necessary preparations are well under way.

I am about to leave for Zambia very soon – arriving on 11^thJuly. I am looking forward to meeting Mrs. Sianga once again together with her students. I always find it inspiring to see how the children are progressing, to view the developments within the school and to discuss future plans. With your ongoing support the school is able to continue to ensure that children have the chance of better future. I am very fortunate to be able to see first hand how any funds are being spent and to understand better the issues that are faced.

I will be able to provide another report soon which should include some new photographs.

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Apr 4, 2013
April 2013 Update

By Chris Barrell | HANDS AROUND THE WORLD Project Co-ordinator

Dancing outside Classrooms

Celebrations are an important part of life in Zambia, as they are throughout the world. This year, thanks to a small donation from one of the HANDS AROUND THE WORLD sponsors, the school was able to enjoy a special party to mark World Youth Day. 240 of the students attended this event which was marked with lots of singing, dancing, drumming and reciting poetry.

Most of the children have lost one or more parents - largely as a result of AIDS - and the children use these occasions to express some of the difficulties in their lives, as well as giving thanks for the opportunities given them through the education they receive at the school. At the end of the day the children enjoyed a good meal.

The rainy season has now finished – a bit too early in fact. Combined with flooding early in the year, this could mean a poor harvest and food shortages later in the year – these conditions have particularly affected the Southern Province, in which PIZZ school is situated.. At the school they have been able to grow good crops of okra and tomatoes, but the sweet potatoes and maize crops have failed due to lack of rain.

In addition to the academic studies at the school, Mrs. Sianga is keen to try to address some of the problems that her students encounter. This pastoral care for the students is a very important part of the ethos of the school, and it is important for the development of the students. Fortunately the school has a number of care workers who help, mainly on a voluntary basis.

The school has excellent staff who work hard, with limited resources, to give the students a chance in life. Many of these struggle on very low wages which are barely enough to provide food and accommodation. (PIZZ receives no funding from the government). The school would collapse without their dedication.

Most importantly the students are very well motivate and are thriving - those who have moved into secondary school are doing very well. Education is for many the key to escaping their lives of poverty, with your help some
are beginning to achieve that dream.

Celebration Meal

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Jan 8, 2013
January 2013 Update

By Chris Barrell | HANDS AROUND THE WORLD Project Co-ordinator

The new school year is about to begin. In Zambia they are in the middle of the Rainy Season and these days the weather is unpredictable. As in many parts of the world, now the rain, when it comes, is heavier and more persistent than usual. As yet the flooding around Monze is under control although the rain has been very heavy, however more will fall between now and the end of March.

This year the children have planted some crops within the school grounds and are hoping that the rain will provide them with a good harvest. This was possible because, with the help of our supporters, the school is now fenced to prevent animals from eating the produce. The skills learnt in growing food are valuable for the students. In Zambia most families need to provide some of their own food in order to survive on an average of less than £1 a day.

The examination results are now out and twelve grade 7 pupils have passed enabling them to progress with a Basic Education. Three children have qualified to go on to High School. These results are very good in the light of the lack of textbooks. My experience in September made me realise just how much more difficult it is to teach children who cannot follow the lesson with a book.

Mrs. Sianga is keen to give the children as wide an education as possible. Towards the end of the dry season she was able to take the grade 8 and 9 students to Lochinvar which is a national park about 40 km from Monze. (Most students contributed something towards the costs). For most of the children this was a completely new experience. The park is known for the wide variety of birds including Fish Eagles, Malibu Storks and Secretary Birds. It also has a variety of animals including, Buffalo, Zebra and Wildebeest as well as a variety of antelope – the Kafue Lechwe which is unique to this area. Needless to say the children had a wonderful and very memorable day out.

When I meet with the teachers at the school the major concern is the limited teaching materials – particularly textbooks. I hope that during this year we will be able to report a substantial improvement in this situation.

With your help many children are gaining a valuable education and being provided with opportunities to improve their lives. Thank You.

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