We arrived at the property a bit earlier than usual today and the place was jumping! Children were everywhere, playing games and visiting with their friends while they waited for their class to begin. Adults were checking in students on their rosters, an amazing feat given the sheer number of kids involved. Those who arrive early are generally those who do not go to government school. These children meet in the mornings with the co-op “teachers” to learn basic skills: counting, arithmetic, the alphabet and reading. They eat earlier, with their meal being served around 10am. Those who come after government school arrive and eat their lunch between noon and 1:30pm.
The children play an interesting variation of “catch.”
Being greeted by so many smiling faces is heart-opening!
Big Jen and Little Jen.
Veronica checks roll. Her voice and presence commands attention.
We were greeted with the usual enthusiasm and warmth. After our “hellos” we got straight to work: label and send more children’s photos off to Bob (our IT person in the U.S.) and practice the photography skills with Muyundu. Unfortunately, Theresa is home sick today, so Muyundu is both our driver and photographer for the day. Jen gathers an impressive company of children together for an art project. They love coloring and proudly displaying their creations!
Veronica takes the first of 10 children’s picture. We calculate that if they take 10 pictures a day, the whole project will be complete in 4 months.
Veronica, Foster, and Ethel label the photograph and prepare the file to send to Bob.
While Veronica is teaching, I step in to help. Since I don’t know the children’s names, I enlist the assistance of these willing helpers. I showed the photograph to the kids asking, “Who is this?” They answer with the child’s name and grade.
Then the information is recorded in the computer.
We drew a very simple black border around each paper to “frame” the picture and asked each student not to leave any white space—they turned out beautifully!
These two fellows worked together.
Focused and, we projected, happy.
Tricky to get a shot where everyone looks good at once; this is the closest we came...
Muyunda has all the children go outside for a group shot to get the good light on their faces. He is a quick study with photography indeed!
Over the weekend, Josephine and Georgina worked overtime to produce some chitenge bags for us to bring home with us. We contracted with them to do this extra work, outside of their regular co-op hours. They were happy to have the extra income, we are happy to have the bags, and the cooperative was compensated for the electricity that was used over the weekend. It’s a win-win-win situation!
Georgina is finishing up another of the chitenge bags.
Jen with Josephine and Georgina who proudly display the fruit of their labors.
The preparations for lunch ensue. We have said it dozens of times before, but really only conditioned mind would get tired of acknowledging a herculean accomplishment—these folks feed over 850 people (including staff) EVERY day!
We love this shot: a big plate of food and a big smile! (and big shoes too!)
We never get tired of seeing these precious faces.
Memory and Marion come by the property after school for a visit. It's so good to see them again! Memory grew up in Kantolomba, and lost both her parents many years ago. She lived with various relatives and, due to other deaths in the family and difficult circumstances, she eventually had nowhere to go. Theresa took her in and she is now thriving! Marion is Josephine's oldest child. Josephine has struggled to care for all her children due to circumstances in her life and was very grateful to Theresa who stepped forward and offered assistance. Marion lives with Theresa during the week and goes to a good school, then she comes home to be with her mom and siblings on the weekend. Everyone seems very happy with the arrangement. We are thrilled to see how well Marion looks.
These girls are showing us their artwork.
We couldn't resist sharing this boy's winning smile.
Ditto for this little girl.
One of the more unique poses for a picture. We were touched by how well this boy and his mother seem to get along—quite playful.
After lunch we showed the team a little slideshow of photographs taken throughout this visit. During the slideshow another heavy rainstorm began. It was interesting that we were more interested in watching the rain “show,” while the locals were more enthralled with the slideshow. Seeing the photographs was a treat to them and the heavy rains were a treat to us. Some local passers-by came onto the porch to escape the downpour. For about 20 minutes, everything seemed to come to a natural and relaxed halt.
Kantolomba in the rainy season. (Note the crowd of folks at the far end of the porch waiting out the rain.) At the heaviest times you cannot discern rain drops; it is simply a sheet of falling water. Impressive.