From
the 21st till the 31st of October we (Thea, Hen en Rick Le Duc)
were the guests of Muzoka Basic School in Zambia. A school that
has been supported by Hen en Thea since 1998 with money and materials.
When, after a long and tiring journey, we arrived in Muzoka the
teachers had already gone to bed. We were late because Hen's hand
bike was lost and after that we were hopelessly lost in Lusaka and
we therefore had lost precious time. The reception was fantastic
in every way. The school had arranged us good accommodation and
even provided Hen with a concrete wheelchair ramp. But also in every
other way the teachers were wonderful hosts.
We
like to mention a few "highlights" during our trip. The
first was on October 24th, the 47th Independence Day in Zambia.
A great holiday for the school but also for us. We were given a
prominent place in the veranda of the school where we were seated
behind a beautifully decorated table together with Sebasian Chifwala
(headteacher) and representatives of the Educationn District Choma.
The students/pupils showed us splendid festivities. Many of the
songs and poems were specifically focused on us what was fun but
what made us a bit shy. It was a beautifull show with songs and
dance.
Click
to enlarge
The
second highlight was the day when we officially handed over the
thousand Euro’s for the "home economics" building
to he teachers, students, the "Chief" of Muzoka township
and the representatives of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA).
As it seems that there was now enough money for the new building.
The money will be used for things like cement, lime, rebar, iron
door- and window frames, corrugated iron for the roofs and locks.
Bricks are baked by them selves. They also did the digging of river
sand. At the time we were there, they were breaking large pieces
of stone into pebbles to use in the concrete.
Click
to enlarge
Furthermore,
we brought things like tools, two laptops, two digital cameras,
track suits, shirts and many other educational items. With the money
of a donor we bought a large new refrigerator for the home economics
building that is to be built. And also five mattrasses for the small
orphanage annex pre-school.
Rick
took from his school (Canon Burrows -Ashton-Under Lyne) some maths
methods in which the teachers were very interested. It was such
a success that it was decided that Rick (with the help of "Canon
Burrows') will sent more materials.
Click
to enlarge
It
was good to see how transparent our previous donations were treated.
Everything was accurately recorded in the so-called "Netherlands
file". From all the documents and receipts a copy was sent
to the District Education Office (EDO). That way everyone makes
everyone accountable and it remains transparent for everybody.
Click
to enlarge
The
third highlight was attending some classes in the different groups.
Lessons were mainly given in the "talk and chalk" way
in which students learn and repeat that what is written on the blackboard.
Above all, we really liked the way the kids were complemented and
motivated by each other with applause and rhyme and / or vocal melodies
when they gave the right answers to questions. Wonderful to see
how teachers achieve a lot with a minimum on resources.
Click to enlarge
The
whole trip has given us an understanding of what the past eight
years has been achieved and what is still needed in the nearby future.
What remains are simple things like pencils, pens, files, calendars,
mail boxes, desk accessories, etc. But also more essential things
like a new water pump at the school because the old one is in a
deplorable condition. The iron pipes are rusted and it will not
be long before there is no water any more. A new pump for the school
and the nearby cottages is therefore imperative. A costly thing
but something that we want to make possible in the nearby future.
Click
to enlarge
We also want to send money for curtains for the classrooms. We have
already started collecting some good soccer-boots and (used) leather
balls.
Monday,
November the 14th the first packet after our stay there was sent.
In the package were balls and soccer-boots, track suits, files.
perforators, staplers, and ink pads.
Because of my (Hen) physical condition the journey was tough. But
we promised the teachers in Muzoka that – if all stays well
and we are in good health- we will revisit Muzoka in 2016 or 2017.
Website
about private help to a basic school in Muzoka in Zambia
When
we (Thea en Hen Le Duc) went to The Zambia for the first
time in 1998 we came upon the small township of Muzoka almost by
accident, a short (sanitary) stop on our tour of the country. After
we asked the people of Muzoka if it was alright for us to have a
look around, we soon heard the singing of children. In a small church
(Click and see a photo)
were a handful of children who were taught by a teacher. This was
Muzoka Primary then. The school had 30 pupils, who had no materials
save for some scrap paper and a few pencils. The scrap paper was
worn down by the many times the pupil's work was erased so it could
be used again. It was then that we decided to leave some money and
pens with them and to send them more materials when we got back
to the Netherlands.
Some
time passed before we got round to sending some money and materials.
The letters we received back from Muzoka were heartwarming and the
evidence of where and how the money was spent was very convincing.
We continued sending materials and books. Without wanting to sound
arrogant; we know our contribution helped the school to grow to
become a real asset to the whole area. It has over 400 pupils now.
Because
of our pleasant dealings with the school we decided to return to
Muzoka in 2003. We were a guest there for two weeks.
We met the highest education officials of the district, and we learned
that contacts between schools and individuals have to be regulated
and monitored by the ministry of education to make sure gifts are
used appropriately and honestly. Also, that because of the succes
of the school it was able to access an Asian/African fund and build
a new school-building. (Click and
see Photo).
On
page 4 of this website you can read
that we have sent money on various occasions. In The Zambia a little
money will go far. Bricks, for instance, are made by the residents
of Muzoka township themselves from clay gathered from large ants-nests.
We have also sent many packages made up of materials like pencils,pens,
workbooks etc. We have sent English language childrens books, non-fiction
reference books, lesson materials and office equipment for the teachers.
When we visited Muzoka in 2003 we left
a laptop with English language software and a small printer. A
second laptop and printer were sent recently. Education in The Zambia
is mostly "talk and chalk". The youngest pupils will be
taught their tribal language, later all lessons are in English (The
Zambia's official language). The children are very eager
to learn
The
school is doing well !
Click to enlarge Photo
on the left:
1998, a few pupils gather each day in Muzoka's church
Photo in the middle:
2001, Students and teacher with their first purpose-built school
building. Photo
on the right:
2005, Five spacious classrooms in two lovely new buildings. To see
the classrooms click here.
Money
and materials remain necessary for Muzoka. Teachers at Muzoka Basic
School do their utmost to give their pupils a chance in life. When
we were there we have seen that your donation can really
make a difference.
£
1000 .- of Canon Burrows
The
children of Canon Burrows Primary School in Ashton-Under-Lyne in
England gathered a large sum that together with money of the staff
and govenors made an amount of £ 1000 .-
Muzoka Basic School spent the money gladly on textbooks
Teachers
- Pupils and school-buildings
- Building teacher accomodations Click
to enlarge
More
than 1500 Books
Uptill
now we bought more than 1500
English language books sent!
Sebastian
Chifwala (the head teacher) says there is still a need for English
language children's books, both fiction and non-fiction. If you
could provide us with these, or with reference books we will gladly
come round to pick them up. At this moment we are looking especialy
for English dictionaries.
See
page 2 for more information on education
in the CHOMA district, of which Muzoka is a part.
Zambia
The
Republic of Zambia is situated in the middle of the Southern part
of Africa. Zambia has no coast. Zambia is landlocked by Tanzania,
Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, Angola and the
Congo.
Although the last decades weren't all together peaceful, since the
independence of 1964 it has been relatively calm. Rhodesia bombed
Zambian targets because of Zambia's support to the liberation movements
ZANU and ZAPA. Also, the leaders of the ANC, which was outlawed
at the time, resided in Zambia, which resulted in several bomb attacks.
Ever since independence was declared in 1964 up until 1992 The Republic
of Zambia was governed by Kenneth Kaunda and for a long time The
Zambia was a one-party state. In 1992 a multi-party system was introduced
in The Zambia, supported by democratic elections.
Zambia is a large country (752.618 km²). It is approximately
18 times the size of the Netherlands. It has a population of about
10.5 million people of which approximately 1 million are orphaned
children. About 20 to 25% of the population are infected with the
HIV virus or indeed have Aids. They barely have access to medicine.
Most of those who fall victim to Aids are people of working age,
which takes it's toll on an already failing economy. The Zambia's
economy is still largely dependent on it's copper-mines. The economic
situation remains precarious.
Zambia's natural beauty might be the amongst the most beautiful
in the world. It wasn't without reason that the Zambian tourist
industry slogan is "Zambia: the real Africa". The many
wildlife reserves, the Victoria Falls waterfalls and the relatively
small tourist industry make a visit to the Zambia worthwhile. Those
of us who have been to Zambia, have the experience that usually
Zambians are very friendly, peace-loving people; people to love.
Click
on the Wikipedia logo above to learn more about Zambia
Thanks
Erna!
Erna Jellesma donated the money she got for her 50th birthday to Muzoka
Basic School. It was the magnificent sum of € 115.-
The money goes into the "piggy bank" to buy a much needed
water pump near the school.
Go
directly to:
Four
parcels for Muzoka
New
£
1000 .- from Canon Burrows
Over
fifteen hundred books send to Zambia...
More
expensive to send materials from the Netherlands...
What
we sent
Head
teacher Sebastian Chifwala has told us that their students will be
in need of pens and pencils again. The empty spaces in the parcels
are filled with soft toy animals.
Every
parcel is sturdy and waterproof packed. Uptill now every parcel exept
one was properly delivered.
Click
to enlarge
Important
notice
Because
the postage for sending packages to the Zambia has doubled we will have
to be more discerning about what is (financially) viable to send.
We
will have to think carefully about what we will be sending from now
on. We will keep you informed via this website about what we end up
sending to Muzoka.
It
remains as important as ever to support Muzoka Primary School, as we
have seen these last years that it makes a real difference. These
children have a chance for a better future because of the support given
by our generous donors.
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Zambia
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