Tuesday had an early start for mass was at 6:30. The choir gave a performance worthy of a concert venue. The ladies who sang all had white headscarves and wrap skirts which I think represented their choir group. They all sat in the front of the church on benches without backs. The rest of the church pews are benches with backs. At almost every time of day we can hear a choir practicing. At this moment there is a male/female choir practicing in the distance.
We had an excellent breakfast as usual and we were happy to find we had instant coffee after all. It was hiding behind the jam. At 8:00 we walked to our respective assignments. Betty Jane was tuning the instruments we bought in Lusaka with money donated by people in Canada. Later she was teaching the violin basics to her students. Winnie was in the Home Economics classroom demonstrating many of the techniques gained in her 20+ years as a cook. It is a popular class and the students get to eat the results of the lesson. The electricity went off for some time and Winnie has learned to cook on a brazier which is widely used in Zambian households. Charlotte worked on the year three class and was giving support to children who needed extra assistance. Colleen spent the morning observing in the primary class and in the afternoon did a workshop with teachers from Primary – four. John and John were doing inventory of the needs and putting rubber coasters on the tables and chairs in the dining hall so they won't rust the new tiles.
In the afternoon we all attended a meeting of parents of children who are sponsored by Chalice. They were most grateful for the help but they still struggle. It is common for families to take in children who are orphaned, or from parents who cannot care for their children because of addiction or other issues. Truly good people who barely have enough for their own but they take in other less fortunate.
While visiting a classroom we saw children eating their lunches brought from home. As the children were enjoying their meal it was noted that two children were sitting sadly without food while their classmates ate. Upon inquiring we were told that they just didn’t have food and relied on the generosity of their classmates to share with them. It is a sad realization that even if we ran to the kitchen to get them some bananas, there are many more days we can’t help them and there are many more children in the same situation. We take comfort in the fact that the money we put into their education will enable them to secure employment so their children will not have to go hungry. There are always more children who need sponsors which is the best way to make sure they do have a lunch now.
 |
| The choir at mass this morning. |
 |
| For grass cutting Zambians use a 'slasher' to cut the grass. |
 |
| Grade Primary (4-5 year olds) with teacher Cynthia |
 |
| This cutie wanted to try on my sunglasses. |
 |
| Winnie's class, she is getting good at innovation. Zambians don't use butter or many cheeses. |
 |
| Winnie using the charcoal brazier. |
 |
| Berry Jane with music teacher |
 |
| Fiddle lesson for beginners. |
 |
| Classroom |
 |
| The primary class learning to line up. |
 |
| Innovative teacher Cynthia using bottle caps as math manipulatives. |
 |
| This pump needs a strong arm to get more than a trickle of water. |
 |
| Getting a good drink. Kingsize drinking fountain |
 |
| Primary class |
 |
| The beginning steps for writers and readers. |
 |
| Colleen's teacher workshop participants |
 |
| Margaret in the convent kitchen |
 | ||||
Meeting with parents of Chalice sponsored children
|
 | ||||
| Zambian style. The ladies always wear the Zambian and church themed wraps. Some are made into skirts and many are a length of fabric wrapped around their middle Don't think we have ever seen a Zambian woman in pants Meanwhile back at St Mary's Special School the new term pick up begins.
  |
 |
| Bus pick up going to Kawambwa |
No comments:
Post a Comment