When Ian and I moved to Zambia - part of my plan was to in some small way give something back to the community. Aside from supporting numerous fundraising efforts - I have finally found my niche - teaching a group of children at a local community school to read.
The school - Open Arms Community School - is like many schools at Zambia - without funding and bursting at the seams. It was set up by a local wealthy farmer - who has converted her piggery into the school to meet the demands of the local children - who did not have a school within walking distance. It is only about 3km from Jessica and Cameron's school - but it is here that any similarity ends.
The teachers (who are paid by the farmer) are largely uneducated, and each classroom - about 4m square accommodates up to about 40-60 children. There are home made desks and a blackboard - but aside from that there is nothing. No books, no pens or paper, in many cases no shoes and certainly no "safe" play equipment or sandpits.
But despite their hardships there is a willingness to learn, much laughter and a group of children that are happy that some "Aunties" have turned up to spend some time with them and brought books! The school is also home to 16 orphans who are cared for by the local pastor (who is the school director) and two carers.
Hopefully my time there will make a small difference - it has certainly impacted my life already!
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| I went to photograph four older girls but other kids rushed to be in photo! |
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| What a special smile |
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The "Open Arms" opening monument -
probably the most money that has ever been spent on the school |
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| Inside the orphanage |
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| Outside the ophanage |
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| Last weeks first reading group |
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| Inside the grade 1 classroom |
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| The kids love the books - most of them have never seen a big book before |
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| The second reading group |
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| This little girl was captivating |
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