EDUCATION

It would be safe to say that initially we had no intention of getting involved with education in the Chiefdom, despite being shocked at “the challenges” the Head Teachers at the 7 government primary schools outlined. ‘Things’ haven’t turned out as we expected!!

MWAZYANGULU PRIMARY SCHOOL

When we first came across the school in June 2015 it was a thatched, open- sided building with mud seats and a cement blackboard, built by the villagers. Village teachers taught the 100 children. By December 2015 the villagers had laid a cement base for 2 classrooms and a small office, and fired enough bricks to build it to roof level. (Water for the bricks came from the well we had sunk nearby!) The congregation of Wokingham Vineyard Church then dug deep to provide windows, doors, and roofing, all installed under Stephen’s guidance. A generous Zoe supporter provided funds for a purpose-built teacher’s house and so the school was formally Government sponsored and 2 trained teachers provided.

In 2022 the villagers then built a 3-bedroomed teacher’s house (which Zoe finished off) so 3 more teachers could be added to the staff, and they are on their way to building another 2-classroom block. Pupil numbers have more than doubled. Zoe has allocated funds to help as such a wonderful community spirit is an example to all the Chiefdom.

MERCER’S KINDERGARTEN

Under the scrutiny of long-term Zoe friend, Michael Brady, the Kindergarten, complete with long-drop loos and handwashing facilities, was built in Makhaza village in 2015, originally as a small community centre. It was very kindly sponsored by Mercers Livery Company in London. However, in no time at all it had become a kindergarten as well, with about 80 little ones attending – including some of our orphans. Although an untrained teacher Mrs Khunga (wife of the village Headman) and her helpers came to the fore and soon children were able to go directly into Grade 2 on entering government based Primary Schools.

Mrs Khunga and her team are now retired and a Government trained teacher has taken their place.

JOHN HUNT PRIMARY SCHOOL

One of our donors came to visit in 2018 and was so impressed and so enthused that he came back to the UK and gathered together 4 other major donors to put together the funds to build JHP. There have been many additional donations since, large and small, but ALL have made a vital contribution.

(And at this point John would like it made known that the PTA insisted on the name

much to his huge embarrassment!)

Chris Taylor, (John Hunt’s travelling companion on their first expeditions to Zambia in 2012) was Head of Education Capital and Property for Bracknell Forest Council, commissioning and maintaining schools for many years, so he was able to adapt Zambian Government school plans showing far greater detail and costings. Not only did this give our main donors a clear view of what we had in mind, it gave Stephen and the government appointed project manager firm guidelines to work from. They were indispensable.

The build has been done in 3 phases – ALL by hand.

In 2020 Phase 1: A 3-classroom block for Grades 1 – 3. A large Admin Centre. Boys and girls long-drop loos. A solar generated bore hole. 2 3-bedroomed semi-detached teachers houses, complete with running water, loos and solar powered electricity (the first such houses to be built in the bush anywhere in the Province!)

In 2021 Phase 2: A 4-classroom block for Grades 4 – 7.

In 2022 Phase 3: A 3-bedroomed detached Head Teacher’s house with running water, a loo and solar powered electricity. Solar power for the Admin Centre.

All 3 phases have been built to the highest standards, on time and sometimes a little under budget! For Stephen Ngwira managing the orphan programme AND the build - buying in supplies at best cost, getting them there etc – this has been a monumental feat, carried out as usual to the highest standard.

Mr Khunga, Makhaza village Headman, hired and managed the work force and the security of the site whilst the villagers dug the majority of the foundations.

JHP School’s football team

JHP School grade 3 class

JHP School’s computers

During the build of JHP school

Typical classrooms at other schools

John Hunt primary school classrooms

JHP TEACHERS AND THEIR ACCOMODATION

Teachers at JHP school

JHP teacher's house

Installing solar power in the teacher's houses

MARY'S MEALS

Old kitchen

Trying to deliver soya supplies

New kitchen

MARY’S MEALS provides daily meals in school for more than one million children worldwide. Following a partnership with Zoe Zambia in 2022, Mary’s Meals completed a purpose-built kitchen at JHP. The pupils receive a large mug of a high-protein soya drink cooked by Makhasa village volunteers every day during term times.

ROCS play school next to Mercer's Kindergarten

FURTHER EXPANSION OF JHP CAMPUS

A charity funded by the tennis player Roger Federer, called ROCS (Reformed Open Community Schools) runs a playschool in a small purpose-built round thatched house in the grounds.

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