Hot Hot Hot

Indeed welcome to this latest entry of our time in Zambia. As I write it is a warm 36⁰C, almost any activities result in profuse sweating. It was nice because yesterday we had a swim which is very refreshing in this weather.

painting play ground 

Over the last 2 weeks we have had amazing experiences and some very thought provoking times. Jona (Me) went to a collection of Christian schools conference in Kitwe and did a seminary on science enquiry, it is nervier talking to adults as I am more used to kiddies. However the talks were extremely thought provoking to me, the 1^st seminary was about the need to Christian education and I was shocked at the statistics that in Southern Africa the class teacher to student ratio is 1:80, with the teachers only present 50% of the time and out of all those who pass their final exams in Grade 12 only 14% get jobs in formal employment. On reflection some huge challenges to student due to the system that they are in, similarly the other 2 seminary proved equally thought provoking and challenged by mindset of what it means by Christ centered education.

Straight after the conference, the next day we left for FCE Masaiti with the Grade 10 and 11 Students. For one the students had a great time and so did we. The four teachers who went all commented that at some point they felt like very proud parents. I am sad that I cannot share all the experience we saw and experienced but will share a few highlights.

We started with the obstacle course which me and Kerry both agonizingly took part in and it was a great experience for all to learn that in life we need to work in a team and to encourage and support it looked like a small course but was indeed a hard challenge.

On the 2^nd day we went to Ibenga market and the student we each given 5 kwatcha which is equivalent to $1, we wanted to highlight the fact that many of the families from the village that we were situated very close to lived on $1 a day or less for all their meals. The way they spent the money was intriguing some headed straight for a coke and this took half their money straight way, to quench their thirst and provided some much needed sugar after digging in the fields prior to the market. While other collaborated and pooled their money together to provide a bigger meal. See a classic photo of Kerry’s group using a pen to put peanut butter on bread J. 

The 3^rd day we could see that the kids were still high spirited but were getting more tired and they had another day full of some activities and a massive surprise for them later on. In the morning they had did various projects and later in the afternoon leading various sports activities. And THEN at lunch we dropped a bomb shell on them!!! Not literally lol we had told them that after the sports they were heading off with a student from the school to spend the evening with them. I think the hardest think was a) to get to grips with the fact they were spending the night in the village and b) that they could not come back and have a shower however they could in the village if they collected their own water and heated it.  The responses were a mixture of disbelief and amazement and this was definitely out of their comfort zones. All they had to take was a sleeping bag and toiletries with a change of clothes.  They learnt a lot from this experience, my time in the village was very welcoming and basic too. But the family that hosted us were tremendously welcoming and kind to share the best they had out of their poverty.  Later in the evening we sat around the fire singing and dancing, till about 11 pm and then slowly drifted off to sleep. It was a terrific time and secretly the students enjoyed it even though they won’t admit it.

There are many many more stories I wish I could share with you and fully explain what an amazing time we all had. Currently Kerry in working in the dorm and I am working on completing this year’s year book. It is crazy how time is doing by so fast!!! Already 4 weeks have gone by and next week we have 8 people being baptized and them iGCSE exams start for Grade 12’s.        

     

Preparing for Masaiti.....

So we have just returned from a hot and sticky long morning in town! We are preparing for our trip away next week with some of the students. Jon has been busy planning and organising a 'community outreach' trip to Masaiti with Grades 10&11. I've written before about Masaiti but it is known as a 'cross cultural training centre' which offers teacher training, a local school, community outreach/teaching skills to locals, agriculture etc. We hope that this trip will give the students an opportunity to see a different way of life, learn teamwork skills and have a chance to help towards projects which will make a lasting impact on the community. So we've been out this morning to buy some red, yellow and green paint and 100m of nylon rope for the jungle gym that we hope the students will help to build! (Hopefully will have some pics once we come back!)

We have now been fully back in the swing of things at school as the students have already been back for 2 weeks!
This week I had a very special evening with the grade 9 girls and our neighbour Miss Lukundo as we organised a dinner and pamper evening. Lots of makeup, madness and mischief!

I think it's cucumbers you're meant to use not aubergines??!!

Jon admitted fishing defeat this week as he settled for filletting and cooking some shop bought bream but he did well for his first ever time of filleting a fish :-)

We both have a lot on this term but it's all very exciting stuff. Jon continues to work with students on the year book and the student forum. I continue to enjoy youth group on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. We have also started a Youth Alpha course exploring the basics of Christianity for students who want to come along.