We started the day at Ndola Hardware. Storing food to feed over 800 people every day naturally comes with the chore of needing to deter rats from sharing the fare. As with most people anywhere, the method of choice here is to set traps. Everyone understands that is not an option at Living Compassion; we are always willing to go the extra mile, incur the extra expense to find the solution that does not involve unnecessary harm.
After a brainstorming session, we came up with the solution to build huge walk-in cages in the storeroom. We’re pretty sure it will work. Yea!
Buying the wire for the cages.
We arrived at the property to a scene that warmed our hearts immensely. The day before we had had a conversation with Theresa and Veronica about some of the books in the small library that has been created as we bring over donated books. Many of the grade 4 and up level books are sitting collecting dust. Theresa explained that these books are above the level of just about all the children who are part of the project. Perhaps we should give them away—to a school in another area where students could make use of them? “No,” Veronica immediately answered. “I can start reading with the children. We can meet after the students come from school. We can have a reading club.”
And sure enough, there was Veronica reading with over 30 students. She sent word around, and students interested in extra help with reading appeared. As with anything it will take time for the program to take hold and become an organized venture, but it is a big step in the right direction.
Some of the time, each child got to choose her own book to read through.
Phil, Joy and Susan went straight to work with their preschoolers. We caught up with them a bit later during their recess. Since the children are so young and this learning English venture is so new, it is a play-it-by-ear kind of affair. At one point during their outdoor play time, they gathered around a spot on the grass and Phil used it as an opportunity to reinforce the day’s lesson.
The preschoolers gathered on the lawn.
[swf file="http://www.thezencenter.org/video/blogvideo-July24-5.flv" params="width=526&&height=290"]
“How are you? Hello.”
After recess everyone went back into the classroom and used puppets to practice “Hello. How are you?”
The puppets are VERY popular!
Dinus and her giraffe.
Winter, front, Joseph, back
Felix got the cow.
We’re still in the early trial stages and are beginning to think we might bring in children a bit older. This is a GREAT age to learn, and there is also still quite a bit of simple socialization to happen. It may be a better use of our resources to put these littlest ones in our larger program for a time and bring in children who are 4 and 5 years old after they have a bit more life skills under their belts. Jury is still out. We have brought in two of the brightest 4-year-olds from the larger program to see how that goes. They are definitely a help in being an example for the littler ones.
Naomi, our adorable friend you met in earlier blogs, is one of the ones the teachers recommended bringing in to try out in the program.
And then, thank goodness for everyone, it is rest time! A formal nap time is unheard of for children in Kantolomba. This is new and yet several of the children fell sound asleep.
We loved the look of this functional corner on the fence. Back on the other side of the property several of the older girls, some of our first 100 children team, stayed after their lunch for some play time.
Getting ready for a cartwheel.
Bravo!
We showed off our headstands, and they were game to jump right in and try it. Soon the next shift of students arrived for lunch.
Marion and friends washing their hands before eating.
Rice, tea and eggs were on the menu today.
This fellow made himself a handsome tie out of paper.
It is part of the procedure that the children who are old enough wash their own plates—girls AND boys. Yea!
Always more fun as a team.
After lunch we had a little photo shoot.
Nice group shot.
We got some beautiful individual ones, as well. Here is Chanda, daughter of Foster in the cooperative. She inherited her mother’s beauty.
a Mom
Being Tuesday afternoon, Rose was here working with her reading/knitting/English club. They are continuing work on the fabulous bags we will bring back to sell, the proceeds of which will fund the next ventures of the club. They have not yet decided what that will be.
Knitting bags
We loved this color combination
A knitting circle
Just about every girl in Rose’s program is responsible for at least one younger sibling. Here is one of the charges, too young to knit, but enjoying herself just the same.
We marveled at how she was able to occupy herself while her older sister knitted.
Time for the preschoolers to go home.
Phil sits with the children waiting for their “carpool.”
Winter and Joseph. Sons of Winter and Peter in the cooperative. And, as always, the team waits to eat until all the children have been served.
[swf file="http://www.thezencenter.org/video/blogvideo-july25-31.flv" params="width=526&&height=290"]
At our request, Brenda drumming a bit before lunch.
Back at the guesthouse we were so happy to see Faith, a good friend who used to work at Castle Lodge. She heard we were around and came for a visit.
A gentle spirit and beautiful presence.