A day in the life

Picture this: whipped up by the cold winter wind, fine red dust billows through the large, open doorway. Children and teachers alike shield their faces and then brush off their tattered books. As Madame Namunwa raises her voice to address the class, the children squash together on logs polished by years of diligent use. The walls are bare; old paint has worn off the weathered clay and the blackboard stands alone as a useable surface.
Now picture this: a small group of children pull their logs up close to Madame Namunwa; she is teaching fractions and eager minds engage with strategies and methods. In other corners of the room, group’s complete independent work from the board and outside, another group is clustered around Madame Sue’s times tables chart, improving their basic facts knowledge.
Even here, in such difficult circumstances, quality learning is taking place and children are being equipped to change their future.
What a joy and privilege it is to be part of Kawama Basic School.

Sue Smith

Things are loosening up....

Thursday was our second day at the schools. For some like Deborah and Sue nerves had begun to dissipate in tandem with newness of it all. For others, such as Sonia and Bridget, nerves had mounted as the reality of the undertaking was becoming more apparent. For others, like Warner and Elzette, the excitement and enjoyment of it all had simply crystalised and hardened after our first day: an appetite that grows after first bite. And me? I was still pretty overwhelmed and was trying my best to rationalize my fears and soothe my worries. I was grateful for the long ride to school: it gave me time to think and prepare.
Some of us taught, some of us observed. Elzette was the ultimate swimmer when thrown in at the deep end and asked to teach maths and English to grade 9. Warner ‘boggled’ his students (literally) with word games, Deborah was in awe of her partner teacher’s ability of such challenging circumstances and I learned about the external parts of a fish in a grade 6 science lesson: there are 3 types of fins apparently! Even Sally tried her hand at teaching English to grade 7 albeit quite unexpectantly, but all great leaders lead by example – what a perfect role model!
After a lunch of chicken, cabbage and Nshima (google it!) we finally assembled at Mwembezhi School for our first planning session. It was quite special to meet the other teachers and to be able to put faces to names. As a closing activity, we each had to sum up our day in one word: fun, challenging, interesting, insightful, inspiring, wonderful. Not bad, eh?
After jump starting one of the vehicles again (by now quite a normality) we gathered ourselves and headed back to Mumbwa and thus commenced the demise of Cheryl and myself. As others, though tired and weary, prepared to have dinner before turning in for the night, for us the stomach gurgling and bowel twitching was just beginning.
Welcome diarrhoea. Please leave your dignity at the door.
Is it too late to change my word for the day?

Holly Norton

First Day in School...

Kwaamba...
Today we had our first experience of rural Zambia at our partner schools & meeting our partner teachers. Everyone had totally different experiences and so we have all written a brief quote describing our first impressions...

"It's not just a different countries culture, it's a different classroom culture."

"What awesome singers the children are. No need for instruments, just their beautiful voices."

"Watched netball and soccer (football) - conditions basic, to say the least, but some of the skills - amazing!"

"feelings of anxiousness, excitement and bewilderment at the state of the school, but humbled by the obvious pride in the school and the pleasure to be there teaching and learning."

"Red dust sweeps through open doorways, settling on books & children."

"Life is not about having things, it's about doing things."

"The day started off quite slow with fuel problems however we all got to the schools. Teachers and Children were all braving the cold!"

"This is the day that the lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it."

I truley believe these quotes from us all show the many different experiences and emotions felt but each of us as we experienced the real reason we are here. After our initial observations we are brimming with enthusiasm to get into the nitty gritty of teaching.

As well as visits to the schools, we had the pleasure of meeting the district commissioner, his quote of the day - "I am the eyes and the ears of the President." He was a very charismatic and humourous man.
We also paid a visit to the Ministry of Education's District Boards, unfortunatly there was no one available to speak to us but we are hoping we will have another chance before leaving.

Bridget Plowman

First Day in Mumbwa

Our first day in Mumbwa began with the usual review of the previous nights sleep, or in this case, lack of, due largely carcophany of loud music, the clanking of bottles and raucous voices as the annual national holiday of Heroes and Unity was celebrated in style outside our windows.
Holly appeared at breakfast looking like a spotty teenager courtesy of a friendly mosquito. Julie didn't appear to be worse for the wear having wrestled her mosquito net to the floor in the middle of the night with a crash that had her roommate, Sonia, convinced that an intruder was smashing his way into their room.
Anyway, after a full breakfast we set out for Mukambi Lodge. A feature of our journey there was Holly's claim to be the first one of our party to leave her mark, so to speak, in the African bush. There was initial fear that a snake or similar predator might strike at a vulnerable moment. However, our guardian angel, Christabel, stood guard and no such moment came to pass.
The day was spent viewing game, including elephant, kudu, zebra, wilderbeest, waterhog and impala. We also went for a cruise on Kafue river viewing crocodile. We had the benefit of a very knowledgable guide whose observations on the African sausage tree were particularly entertaining. As the myth goes, when a man partakes of the juice of the fruit, this can lead to growth of which a man can be mightily proud, if you catch my drift. However, he assured that from personal experience it remains purely a myth.
At the end of a most enjoyable day our group returned to our lodgings a little on the tired side but champing at the bit in anticipation of seeing our schools for the first time the next day.

Reverand Warner Wilder

Lusaka-Mumbwa

Mervis welcomed us to Suwilanji Gardens (aka wedding central) with open arms. She smiled at us, laughed with us and sang to us. Mervis has the voice of an angel. She shares her humble two roomed home with her brother, two sisters and two cousins. Mervis takes care of them all. She is good at her job, along with Moses they run the hotel. Mervis works all hours of the day and night for $180 a month. We look forward to seeing her before we head for home.

We travelled to Mumbwa, down a long straight road built by the Chinese government. It was national heroes and unity day. La Hacienda, our home away from home, was hosting 'Miss National Heroes and Unity Day' that night. We rolled into town, shattered after our epic journey, just in time for the party to begin. Welcome to Zambia!

Deborah Lean

The time has come....we're off to Zambia!

At 5.50am, some of depart from Auckland, some Wellington and some Christchurch to meet in Sydney and fly to Johannesburg (14 and half hours!). There we will meet Elzette and continue on to Lusaka. To the hotel where we will find Warner, who has been there exploring for the last few days. And only then will the whole group be together and ready for the adventure to begin.....

This will be the place to check for the next two weeks for a daily update on the visit. Different members of the team will take turns to post the daily blog and share their day, joys, descriptions and impressions with you so please keep checking! At the bottom of each post, there is a place to post a comment - so please do! If you have any questions or comments, ask away and we will get back to you with an answer the following day.

So for now...farewell and see you in Zambia!

The Ohakune Two

Dan Rosser and Bridget Plowman are 2 teachers joining the programme this year from Ohakune Primary School. They have the enormous task of raising $30,000 and are using all their creativity and imagination, along with the great support of their colleagues and friend in Ohakune, to raise the funds.

So far, there has been crazy mufti days - happy feet and funky hair - here are some of the winners.

They have also had sausage sizzles, easter egg hunts, a fantastic bike trail day and more - with a huge event of mid-winter christmas and auction night taking place this Saturday night (june 13). If you are in the area, you should definitely go - will be a great night! To see more of their great work, visit their blog http://ohakune-zambia.blogspot.com/