Hello everyone,
Its 2018…hard to believe, time seems to go past so quickly. A new year with new plans for early childhood in CCAP Synod of Zambia for 2018. Some of the plans I made for 2017 were not fulfilled but some things were done that were not planned for. All in all it was a busy and quite productive year! When something new is introduced to people, it takes time for them to understand it and then to decide it it is something that they want to be part of. I had planned to visit each Presbytery during 2017 to talk to ministers about ECD and see if it was something that we could start, or in some cases where there are existing nursery schools to assist.
However, as the year progressed the vision for ECD changed direction and for we decided to concentrate on two of the schools in Lusaka and see if we could then model other schools on them! So I have been working with teachers and committees and congregations in these two schools over the past year. While there has been a lot of progress, there is much still to do.
In December, at the request of Southern Presbytery, I worked with two congregations, one in Monze and one in Livingstone to help their committees and teachers with basic training so that they could open in 2018. This was something not planned for but the Presbytery themselves initiated, so that was exciting for me.
During school holidays I have been having training with the teachers in the schools in Lusaka. We plan for the following term and gradually they are learning more about how children develop and different activities they can do in the ECD centre to help the children be prepared for primary school! I have enjoyed these training sessions and its good to see the teachers grow and develop as time goes on.
I had the joy of working with one of the Young Adult Volunteers (PCUSA programme) in Chilenje called Susannah, and she helped both teachers and children a lot during her year in Zambia.
I also had the privilege of hosting Rev Noble McNeely and his wife Florence as part of their Moderator’s year!
I also had quite a few visitors – some planned, some not and I enjoyed having them all!
So…2018 what are the plans! Well, I had planned to have a week of training the teachers in Lusaka before schools opened on 15th January. Unfortunately, these plans were not implemented because in November we had a cholera outbreak in Lusaka which became much worse in December. This resulted in the ministry of education postponing opening of all schools in January. We were told by Government that there could be no meetings in certain parts of the city – even churches could not meet. In Mtendere, where I go to church the road is usually full of vendors selling their fruit and vegetables. Last Sunday they had all gone, the army were patrolling the compound and churches were only allowed to worship for a short time. It doesn’t seem like Mtendere anymore!
So the training did not happen, and schools did not open. However, during the last week the cholera rate has slowed down considerably and some schools are now able to open on 22nd January. I was able to organise two days with the teachers from Chilenje and Kabwata schools at the end of last week, so at least they have done some planning.
The schools in Livingstone and Monze are also opening on 22nd January, so this term I hope to visit both of these schools for a few days to spend time with the teachers and the committees in case they want any assistance. I will also spend time with the teachers in Kabwata and Chilenje to keep encouraging them!
It is exciting to see the schools develop, it is exciting to see the teachers develop but perhaps the most joy comes from seeing the children when they have their ‘lightbulb’ moment and suddenly see how something happens, or they can suddenly do something!
Plans for 2018 include setting up a Presbytery ECD committee in Midlands East Presbytery in Lusaka where the two schools I am currently working with are located. This will help in planning as a church. Of course, teacher training is ongoing so each holidays I plan to have training in Lusaka and in Livingstone. Handbooks for churches, Presbyteries, committees and teachers are currently being developed too…there is much to be done, I don’t think I will be bored!
Please pray that a Zambian might be identified to work alongside me so that when I leave there will be continuity in the programme. Also pray that we might find some way to get income within Zambia to run the programme.
I am really privileged to be able to do this job and to work with such amazing people. I am looking forward to the year ahead and to what is in store for our ECD centres in CCAP Synod of Zambia. There are many challenges but also many blessings. Thank you for journeying with me….leaving you with some of my birds from 2017, all outside my front door!
Blessings,
Diane x
January 22, 2018
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