Okay, we’ll stop saying “another big day out in Kantolomba.” Figure if it’s not a big day, we’ll let you know.
The men were more than half finished with the magic fence when we arrived. The wood they use for fences in Zambia is the outside of the tree cut off in the mill. Nothing goes to waste here. And, to our eye, it makes quite a beautiful fence.
Left to right: Pascal, Charles, Peter, Lingson
Another side complete.
Each plank is unique, refreshing.
Phil went straight back to work getting the new classroom ready. Though we have not hired our teacher yet, we plan to start with the students on Thursday. Phil will be the lead teacher while we are in the country, and, fingers crossed, we plan to teach our new hire next week. Susan, one of the team whose English is getting better and better, and who has a wonderful rapport with the children, is going to be the assistant teacher. Additionally, Theresa is going to sit in on the classes a great deal so she and Susan can help ensure whoever our new teacher is has the support she needs to carry out the vision.
Beatrice, left, Veronica, right, help hang cheerful decorations.
Veronica adds cheer just with that smile!
Not to mention Phil (we are all pretty excited, actually!)
Beatrice adds a tree. The room is filled with simple items the children can identify and learn how to say in English. And then the sewing team showed up! They had been hard at work (okay, Georgina had) making the adorable “curtains” for the room. We had all wanted to have curtains to add some color, but we didn’t want to block any of the light. We came up with the idea to make just little ruffles, valences of a sort, and they came out perfectly!
Jen tries one out
Very cute.
Bravo, Georgina!
And then to step back and get a full view. Beautiful.
Hard to tell, but the benches are covered with colorful, fun books, puppets and other educational items to engage the students in learning.
Off to the next activity, but first a quick visit with Baby Michael; Reuben and JoAnne’s (Dad and Mom) house is right next door to the new classroom.
Tuesdays and Fridays are the day Sister Rose comes to the property. “Sister” is a term people use not just for nuns, but often for nurses as well. Rose is the wonderful nurse who started working with us two years ago. She has a huge heart and gentle spirit and works very well with the community. About a year or so ago she started the Girls’ program, assisting young girls by teaching them skills and helping them to read, write and speak English. It has become so popular that the boys have asked to join as well. Something we are pleased about is that it does not appear to have deterred the girls at all.
We were treated to several of them reading aloud in English, something they were not able to do even when we were here last, seven months ago. Four of the students recited (from memory!) welcome poems for us that they had written for us. We were incredibly impressed, not only at their English but also their bravery!
Reading aloud together
One boy does a “solo” read.
After spending time with Rose and her crew, Theresa and Jen went to meet with two candidates who had come to interview for the teaching position. They had heard of the position through word of mouth. Though we liked both women very much, we agreed that they do not have the English proficiency we are looking for. Theresa’s English is very clear and easy to understand—we want someone like that! Yes, we have considered looking into cloning Theresa.
On the far left is one of the women who came to apply for the teaching position.
The Bridge Walk theme for this year—Celebrating the steps of transformation—has had us thinking back on fond memories. Theresa and I have been talking with many of the students who were among the first 100 children in the program. They truly do feel like family. We have seen them grow from 4, 5, 6 years old to now 9, 10, 11. They are very used to us (in the beginning, they would cry at the unusual site of a white person) and seem to look forward to our visits. It is a joy to see them thrive.
For the ambitious among you who might want to go back to the 100 children video and look them up—left to right: Leonard Chisanga, Catherine Chama, Clive Mwelwa, Helen Mambwe, Cecelia Nalungwe (in back), Edna Chongo, Mary Bwalya, Naomi Musukwa. Do not be thrown off by differences in name spellings. In a place where more people do not read and write than do, name spellings can be a moving target.
A little dancing on our part got them a bit more animated!
Theresa and Jen join for a group shot.
After the photo fun, Phil had a chance to chat with some of the girls. A conversation with these wonderful, young girls strengthens our commitment to the new English program. They are smart and sweet and clearly want to relate to us. But they can hold only the simplest of conversations and mostly need us to repeat what we are asking over and over. Our hope is that the children who are entering the new program at 3 will be able to sit and chat with us at the age these girls are now with the ease of a native speaker. It will completely change what is possible for them in their lives.
Phil and the girls
Jen is working with some of those original 100 children to let them tell a little about themselves, type it up on the computer and read it back.
Naomi, Rhoda, Rachel, Mirriam.
Reading over their stories.
“My name is Rachel Mapulanga. I am 14 years old. I am in grade 6. I am from Kantolomba. I have one sister, Tunikayi and three brothers, Abi, Musonda, Piwai. I would like to be a lawyer.“
We told you…another big day!