Trust Community School

Well, we are back on line! The Theological College (where I'm staying) was unable to pay the internet bill this month, because the donor that supports that expense didn't send the money as they promised. I realize once again that what might seem like something is just a little bit late to Northern/Western people can make a huge difference to our partners. So, I paid for this month's bill as my contribution to the College. I wish it could have gone toward scholarships, but this was a clear and immediate need. Much of the work of the school came to a halt, just as it would anywhere in this internet age. It's unclear when the expected funding might arrive, so if anyone wants to contribute, it would be greatly appreciated. Here is the link to Global Ministries, where you can see where to send money. www.globalministries.org/give/ Clearly mark it to go to The United Church of Zambia Theological College, Kitwe, Zambia. The College can use money no matter what, as this is the time of year when they begin to feel the crunch as donations run out and school fees from students have already been paid. They are working hard to become self-sufficient, and have made great progress, but they are still finding challenges to overcome.

Another reason I haven't posted in a while is that there is ALWAYS something to do. Whenever I think I might have some free time, it seems that someone comes with an idea of what to do. My rule in life, and definitely here, is to always say YES when a new opportunity presents itself. Like this morning --- I received an invitation during Chapel that was too good to refuse. The Chaplain for the Mindolo Ecumenical Foundation (MEF) (a close partner located on the same campus as the Theological College) asked if I would like to go visit a nearby school with him and a group of Social Work students from MEF. It is called Trust Community School and is located in a "compound" (like a neighborhood) called Racecourse (no idea where the name came from). This is one of the very poorest areas in this community with great poverty.

We walked about 2 miles each way on dusty roads --- since it is the dry season here --- to reach Racecourse. Along the way we passed a saw mill and some brickmaking efforts. The grasses were tall on either side, and we were with many other people making their way on the day's business. This is an urban area, so we crossed the paved road twice, almost taking our lives in our hands, since it seems that cars, not pedestrians, have the right-of-way. And it was pretty hot. Although it gets quite cool at night, the days are starting to get warmer as we move toward the hot season of September and October. The rains start in November and it gets cooler again.

This school is a remarkable effort on the part of this desperately poor community. When the government schools pulled out, the community pulled together and started their own school. There are 5 teachers who are certified, but who are paid only 150,000 kwacha a month (about $30). Even in this economy, that is no where near enough to live on. There are several hundred children who come to school in one space with benches to sit on. They have two shifts, morning and afternoon, so that all can have a chance.

They have been trying to get their own space, instead of the makeshift building they had on borrowed land. Someone agreed to sell them land, and they started raising funds, and even put a building on it (with permission) to show their commitment. Then the seller decided not to sell. And they are now meeting in rented space ($20/month) that seems like an old warehouse, with a roof full of holes that will definitely leak in a big way once the rains start. That is the space we visited today. The children were crammed onto benches, grades 1-7 all together. It was the last day of school until they start again in September, and so they seemed extremely well behaved as they greeted us and stared at us. Our group were all Zambians, except for me and Adrian, the Chaplain. [He's from the UK and is a dairy farmer by trade, and also a Lay Preacher in the United Methodist Church, who decided to see some of the world while trying to make a difference. --- There are some really great personal stories among the people here!]

This school is EXTREMELY unusual, in that the community is supporting it and managing to create at least something for the children out of absolutely nothing. With unemployment at 75% (that's not a typo) and the poverty level sky high, it is hard for people to hope, and yet they do. This community could have given up as almost all the others have in a similar situation, and yet they have not. The moment that really moved me to tears was when the children came out of school (imagine any school on the last day of classes) and gathered around Adrian as he videoed them --- they were making the peace sign and chanting peace, peace, peace, peace, peace, peace, peace and on and on --- it started as something fun, I think, but really became a plea. And peace won't come until they have enough to eat, clothes to wear, a roof over their head, clean water, education ...... As I looked at these children, it was obvious that they have great intelligence, and great gifts and great potential, just like any group of children you would meet. And yet, they can't even get a reasonable education. Most of them don't have enough to eat on a regular basis.

This situation is both heartbreaking and hope-filled. An authentic tribute to the strength and depth of the human spirit. As always, I am humbled. In our too-well-fed world, I hear so many people whine about inconvenience, when these people are making a better future for their children out of absolutely nothing.

So here's another place that could use support. They need to fix the roof before the rains start in November, and they really need to pay the teachers more. If your heart is tugged, just let me know and I can help you send a donation. This is not a Global Ministries project, but the spirit here demands some attention!!! It is supported through the MEF, which is itself supported primarily by the World Council of Churches and Mennonite Central Committee.

This was worth walking a dusty 3 or 4 miles (I can certainly stand more exercise...).