CWB is planning to create the first-ever library at the Living Hope School. A school library is one of the highest priorities for School Director, Geoffrey Kamutande, and he specifically has asked for our help in getting the library started. Aside from the 300 textbooks donated last year by CWB, there are virtually no books in the school for 350 students, grades 1-9.

By good fortune, one of our travelers this summer will be Mrs. Pamela Licht, an experienced and trained librarian. Wife of former State Department official, Louis Licht, Pamela helped to organize a library in Armenia. She also happens to be friends with a principal in the Lubuto Library, which has established three community libraries in collaboration with the government of Zambia. So Pamela has selected a special collection of early reading books, and we have begun to assemble books on the list. Our airline allows us to bring two extra suitcases as a non-profit entity, which means we will be able to bring with us about 300 volumes. Pamela has already begun to label and cover these books.

We envision a Reading Aloud program with readers recruited from the community who will come in and read with the children for an hour a week. This model has proven in Lusaka to be very effective  in reducing illiteracy. Moreover, through a special donation, our travelers will work with a Zambian carpenter and older students in the school to construct shelving for the books.

For a school where 64% of grade 1-4 students are illiterate, and where still 27% of students in grades 8-9 remain illiterate, the library should provide a good boost to children who want to read!

— Dick Bail

What a wonderful time we had at Living Hope! Dr. Lise Johnson, a long-time Communities Without Borders supporter and volunteer, got to meet the two recipients who attended the Healthy Kids, Brighter Futures Health Workers Training. Mary Namukulai and Bertha Banda, whom Lise sponsored, were excited to share their experiences with us about the training they received. They have started keeping records to document the children, their illnesses, and types of recommended treatment.

We look forward to having them assist us with the upcoming health screenings.

— Amy Archibald

For more than five years, Mumbi Ngosa and Carol Tembo have been the teachers at Garden, where they work hard to prepare the children for government schools. Solana Baer, Sabrina Freiberg-Dale, Lilly Brownell, Maddie Miller, and I spent four days teaching. We worked on the alphabet, numbers, colors, and animals. We are all impressed with the teachers who go above and beyond to support the children in Garden, from taking urine samples for health screening to providing food for children who might not otherwise have any. The children are so lucky to have them.

— Amy Archibald

One of the major needs our new partners have identified is purchasing local curriculum books. Steven Nkhata, a teacher at Sekelela Community School, is holding one of the books Communities Without Borders bought for the school.

The books will help support instruction for Sekelela’s 368 students.

So far, CWB has provided funds for 300 books for the Living Hope and Sekelela schools.

— Amy Archibald

People say it’s special to see the world through the eyes of a child.

Mwenya has been at Garden for the last three years. We were surprised to see him back again this year since his classmates all went on to grade one in government schools.

Although Mwenya did go to grade one, it was recommended that he sit at the front of the class because his eyesight is poor. The government school claimed he was not ready and sent him back to Garden.

We were so happy to be able to make it possible for him to have a pair of glasses. The pure joy he and his family expressed was a memorable experience that even brought his classroom teacher to tears.

In working with Mwenya for the past two years, we know that he has a bright future. We hope to give many other children glasses so that they too can go forward in the years ahead.

— Amy Archibald

Attention to all those who are interested in traveling to Zambia with Communities Without Borders during the summer of 2016. The approximate dates for our trip are:

June 28, 2016 – July 15, 2016

The trip committee has planned an introductory meeting for friends, families, and others who want to find out more about the trip. The meeting is designed to provide you with important information to help you know if this trip is for you.

We hope you can join us!

Introductory Meeting:

Sunday, January 24, 2016
First Unitarian Society in Newton
1326 Washington Street
Newton, MA
Location: Alliance Room
Time: 4:00

Please feel free to spread the word to others and let us know if you plan on attending the meeting by emailing Dick Bail (richardnelsonba[email protected]) or Barney Freiberg-Dale ([email protected]). The trip committee can provide additional information to those who may be unable to attend the meetings but strongly encourage you to come if you can.

See more information about the trip.