ZAMBIA

We've Done It!!!!!

2009-12-05T21:39:00.000-08:00

It's time to celebrate! We have reached our $15,000NZ target. All the hard work has paid off and we have made a real difference for teachers and students in rural Zambia. This has been an incredible year and an amazing journey.
Next year, we will be looking at how we can continue to provide resources and infrastructure for the schools. So... watch this space!

Warner and Mervis Wilder

2009-11-28T22:40:00.001-08:00

While we were in Zambia, one of our group, Rev Warner Wilder, met and (unbeknown to us!) fell in love with Mervis. Mervis was a manager at Suwilanji Gardens, our hotel in Lusaka. Two weeks ago, Mervis arrived in NZ and Warner popped the question! On Friday 27th November, they were married. We are all sooooo happy for them. They are both beautiful people who deserve the very best - and they've got it! Congratulations guys, you're "tremendous."

To read a newspaper article, follow this link http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/3107105/Priest-finds-love-with-bride-half-his-age

A Book to Celebrate the Project

2009-11-28T22:22:00.000-08:00

I had a wonderful time during the last school holidays, learning how to use "Blurb". Blurb is an online publishing company who makes it really easy to put together a very professional looking book. Try it for yourself at www.blurb.com

NEARLY THERE!!

2009-10-26T00:59:00.000-07:00

This is very exciting news. Thanks to the incredible generosity of many, many people we only have a few hundred dollars to go to reach our $15,000NZ target. We have a sausage sizzle coming up in a few weeks time that will most certainly see us achieve our goal.

Chibunda teaching at Red Beach

2009-10-26T00:54:00.000-07:00

Chibunda relished the opportunity to get involved with teaching while in NZ. Here, she is working with a Reading group learning inference skills.

Planet FM 104.6

2009-10-03T00:25:00.000-07:00

If you're from Zambia or have a love for the country and miss the sounds, try tuning in to Zambia Botswana Airwaves at 3.35pm every Saturday. There's music, news and comments all presented by Jackie and Agnes Phiri.

Here's a link to Saturday's recorded programme http://www.planetaudio.org.nz/player/player_livecapture.php?id=61448

New Zealand Bush - fantastic!

2009-09-23T00:41:00.000-07:00

If you haven't yet visited NZ then you've been missing out. We took Chibunda for a walk through a local bush reserve and you can see the obvious joy of experiencing this unique environment.

Zambian schools benefit from NZ exchange

2009-09-19T02:27:00.000-07:00

Follow this link to watch an article that appeared on TV1 news on Saturday 19th Sept. It features Chibunda, Sonia (from Glenfield Intermediate) and Sally (from ChildFund). http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/zambian-schools-benefit-nz-exchange-2999414/video

Chibunda's visit to NZ

2009-09-15T20:53:00.001-07:00

Here are a couple of photos of Chibunda enjoying some very new experiences in NZ. She's been having a great time at Red Hill Primary, Papakura and Red Beach Primary on the Hibiscus Coast.

Not Long Now!!

2009-08-30T00:41:00.000-07:00

Chibunda (top) and Patricia (below) are two of the four Zambian teachers arriving in NZ in just 4 days time. We are all getting very excited about seeing them again and having the opportunity to return their incredible hospitality and friendship, both in our schools and our homes.

Disco Success!

2009-08-30T00:11:00.000-07:00

The Zambia Discos last Friday raised just over $2,000NZ. What an amazing school Red Beach is and what incredibly generous parents.

La Hacienda, Mumbwa

2009-08-20T21:46:00.001-07:00

This is a Google Earth pic of the hotel where we stayed in Mumbwa. We travelled about an hour and a half to our schools in the morning and then back again in the afternoon. There wasn't any water in the pool when we were there! It was a bit too chilly to swim anyway.

Grade 6 at Kawama Basic School singing the Zambian National Anthem

2009-08-16T21:09:00.000-07:00

Grade 6 at Kawama Basic School singing the Zambian national anthem.

Shila reporting from Kawama Basic School

2009-08-11T16:05:00.000-07:00

Shila attends Kawama Basic School, where I was based. Her ambition is to become a lawyer or journalist. This short video clip was done on the spur of the moment without any time for preparation and she did a great job. Watch out for her in the future!

2009-08-11T15:55:00.000-07:00

More pics from Zambia

2009-07-30T03:03:00.000-07:00

Life Changing

2009-07-23T00:25:00.000-07:00

The question I get asked more than any other - "How was your trip?"

And my answer has to be "Life Changing"

I'm going to learn how to use Slideshare so that I can show you lots of photos but, in the meantime, I'm going to upload some here for you to see.

Follow our trip in Zambia

2009-07-03T00:34:00.000-07:00

Click on this link to follow our day-to-day news from Zambia. www.childfundglobalschools.blogspot.com/

Wacky Hair Day

2009-07-02T03:09:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday 1st July it was "Wacky Hair Day" at Red Beach School and even Ms Martin, the Principal went "Wacky". Children all around the school modelled crazy hair styles and brought in their gold coin donations. At luchtime, the children were treated to the first ever live performance of "Best of the Worst" featuring, Josh, Max, Euan, Scott & Ryan.

Hot Chocolate Day

2009-07-02T02:44:00.000-07:00

Room 14 at Red Beach School are just AMAZING! These difference-makers set up business selling hot chocolate during school lunchtime. Can you believe, the queue stretched right around the school and the last children were being served as the bell went to go back to class!!!

Trio of Collectors

2009-07-02T02:37:00.000-07:00

This trio of difference-makers went door-to-door in their street collectiing for the Zambia fund. Thanks Zoe, Lauren & Ella!

Destitute Gourmet

2009-06-08T16:55:00.000-07:00

Who are you?!!

2009-05-29T23:09:00.000-07:00

WHO ARE YOU?!!

I'm still pretty new to blogging and it fascinates me that people all around the world are viewing this. I would really love to know who you are and how you found out about the blog so I'm awarding virtual chocolate fish to all those who take 2 mins to let me know by commenting on this post.

Movie Night

2009-05-26T02:57:00.001-07:00

Make a Difference

2009-05-25T01:55:00.000-07:00

Clicking on this logo will take you to my online donations page. Here you can make a difference by helping us reach the $15000 target. This money will be used to provide professional development for Zambian teachers and resources for their schools.

Namunwa Chibunda

2009-05-22T22:36:00.000-07:00

I've just received photos from ChildFund of Namunwa Chibunda. I will

be team-teaching with Namunwa in only 6 weeks time! Meeting her

and her colleagues at Kawama Basic School will be such a privilege.

Sally Hewlett from ChildFund visits Red Beach School

2009-05-15T15:03:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Sally came to speak to the children at Red Beach School. She talked about
Poverty, Exclusion and Vulnerability and the children were able to make connections to their own lives and those of children in photographs from other countries, including Zambia.

"It's not fair!" "I felt sad" "It was frustrating" "I didn't get a turn"
20 pieces of paper and crayons to be shared between 200 children. Now we know how it feels to be learning in a Zambian school.

Interview on TimesFM

2009-05-07T01:15:00.000-07:00

Just before the Soap Box Derby, I had the opportunity to do a short promotional interview with TimesFM (our local HBC radio station).

2009-05-03T03:03:00.000-07:00

Look what's just arrived!

A huge "thank you" goes to the Sharks Sports Trust for their generous gift of 15 soccer balls to take to Zambia. Soccer (football) is a national sport in Zambia and very popular with the schoolchildren I will be visiting.

Prom Praise at St.Stephen's

2009-04-06T00:38:00.000-07:00

It was time to break out the flags and balloons at St.Stephen's on Saturday 4th April. An enthusiastic crowd joined together to experience "Prom Praise" at the Royal Albert Hall. Following a short presentation about the Global Schools Programme we enjoyed listening to the All Souls Orchestra and Choir and singing along with Stuart Townend.

Sheila Street and Irene Hobday provided some yummy interval nibbles to be washed down with wine or juice. We all had a great time and, thanks to their generosity, we raised another $475 towards our target.

Easter Discos at Red Beach School

2009-03-30T01:03:00.000-07:00

Oh My! The Red Beach School Easter Discos WENT OFF!!! Almost 400 pupils attended either the Junior or Senior Discos last Friday night. They grooved to the music, had fun with their friends and bought plenty of lollies, icecreams and drinks. The event couldn't have happened without an amazing team of helpers including staff and parents.

And the total amount raised was an astonishing $3019.30

Online Donations

2009-03-21T23:19:00.001-07:00

Don't forget that you can click on this image to take you to my online donation page. There, you can easily make a donation and, if you wish, remain anonymous.

Nachos at the Soapbox Derby

2009-03-21T22:58:00.000-07:00

What a fantastic day we had on Saturday 21st March. Not only did we get to sell hearty, healthy, yummy nachos, we were also able to cheer on the Red Beach School drivers in the Soapbox Derby. It all took place next door to the Stanmore Bay Leisure Centre, with the soapboxes racing down Brightside Road. After an overcast morning, the sun blazed through for a scorcher of an afternoon and the cold drink cans started selling REALLY well!

The whole day was a huge success. We raised almost exactly $400 towards our Global Schools Programme target and Red Beach clocked the three fastest drivers for the day. They will be off to the National Finals very soon.

Huge thanks to the team for the day: Korin Kaminer, Roy Smith and April Smith. Room 17 for producing our eye-catching signage and the Tall family for the loan of your excellent trailer.

Happy Feet Day

2009-03-20T02:40:00.001-07:00

Wednesday 18th March was Happy Feet Day at Red Beach School. Hundreds of children decorated footwear and brought gold coin donations as they thought about Zambian children walking miles to school each day. Everyone enjoyed the Happy Feet Parade at morning play time and three age group winners took home a dvd of the Happy Feet movie.

The total amount raised was $475

Red Beach School

2009-03-15T23:53:00.000-07:00

Red Beach School is a community empowering life long learners to achieve and make a difference.

Anyone who knows me, will know how passionately proud I am of our school. Just give me the slightest excuse and I'll rattle on for as long as you'll let me, about what an incredible place it is. This project is giving the school an opportunity to reach out and make a difference beyond geographical boundaries. I'm blessed to be working in partnership with such supportive and enthusiastic students, parents, staff and Board of Trustees.

If you're thinking of moving to the area, click on the vision logo to visit the school website and find out more.

Kawama School

2009-03-15T23:40:00.000-07:00

This picture shows staff outside Kawama School. This is the school that I will be visiting in July. The three classrooms are currently undergoing some renovation. This is great news but it means that the 701 students are having lessons outside - during the rainy season.

2009-01-25T01:54:00.000-08:00

Last Thursday, 22nd Jan 09, we had our first team get-together. It was so good to be able to meet others who are involved with the programme. There are teachers from all over NZ in the team, representing primary, intermediate and college levels.

It was great to find out more details about the schools we will visit and especially good to meet Vanessa and Helen, who travelled to Zambia as part of last year's group.

2008-12-19T19:16:00.000-08:00

WOW!
What a fantastic result from the discos.
Clear profit for the evening totalled $1543.30NZ.
What's more, we still have quite a bit of stock left to
sell at the next event.

2008-12-14T22:04:00.000-08:00

Child Fund have set up an online donation site where you can watch the fundraising progress and make your own donation. Follow this link.

2008-11-29T22:27:00.000-08:00

It's time for our first fundraiser. We have such an amazing team here at Red Beach. Parents like Theresa are busy getting the supplies together and teachers are signing-up to help out on the evening. I love this school!

2008-11-04T10:49:00.000-08:00

It's a phone call from Sally at Child Fund - I've got a place on the project! Now it's time to get down to work and raise the funds.

Posting my application

2008-10-28T21:05:00.000-07:00

Checklist:
Board of Trustees support
Fundraising Plan
Written statements about why I want to be in the project etc
Covering letter
Principal's support

Time to post off application to Sally @ Childfund!

Presenting project to the Board of Trustees

2008-10-28T20:57:00.000-07:00

How come I can talk to big crowd perfectly happily but get so nervous presenting to a small group! The Board listened very politely and had some good questions. The following morning I was given the good news that they had decided to fully support my application.

Child Fund Global Schools Programme

2008-10-25T01:07:00.000-07:00

This blog will follow my Childfund Global Schools Programme from it's very first stages.