September News

September has found all the children back at Chikumbuso. It seems to me that there are many more students then when I left in May although Gertrude assures me that we have not yet met the 300 mark. Perhaps it is because they are so healthy and growing so big that they just seem to be taking up more of the courtyard!We have had one set back returning to school and that is that Michael our third grade teacher has been “called up” by the government to teach in a public school. Although he was sad to leave Chikumbuso he is happy to move out to Mazabuka and closer to his family.  We will be interviewing for his position on Friday.

Yesterday we had a farewell party for Kelley at the community center, her dad and sister were able to be here for it. Everyone took a part in telling Kelley how much she has meant to them. Lots of laughter, songs, dances, gifts and tears.  Kelley has been an integral part of the lives of everyone at Chikumbuso this past year. It seems that each one, in some special way, was helped by her.  We will all miss her.Our grandmother project has continued through faithful support from the States. I was happy to come back and find them all healthy. Five of them attended Kelley’s party.The Single Moms Project has received two new contracts for the womens sanitary pads. The “factory” is in full swing trying to keep up with the demands of Changes II and International Youth Foundation. It is wonderful that the project has this income and work that is fulfilling as it works to keep girls in school throughout the month.

I am happy to be back working at Chikumbuso after a summer in the States.  It was a good summer with family and I was able to tell more people about the project and how Chikumbuso empowers these widows and orphans to care for each other. I had many opportunities to speak to various groups and I thank each one of you for allowing me to do that.Lives continue to be changed here in Ng’ombe and we appreciate your help in this.  Zikome Kwabiri!

This entry was posted on Thursday, September 25th, 2008 at 1:20 pm and is filed under General, In the News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.