Schools are open...Yay...

Hello everyone,

Since my last post, schools have opened!  Some opened on Monday 21 September, while others have opened today! Last week the Ministry of General Education gave guidelines for schools (which were in 3 different documents), so I was able to make one document for our ECD centres based in churches so that they know what they are supposed to do in terms of hygiene!

It will be quite a challenge for rural centres where there is no running water and they can't afford to buy soap or hand sanitizer.  At least children under 6 are not required to wear face masks although the teachers will have to.  Play materials need to be regularly cleaned which could pose a problem too.  But the positive news is that both teachers and children are excited to be back at school.  The Ministry of General Education state that only 23 children should be in any ECD class and if there are more that either classes are staggered or they should come on alternate days.  They recommend only 2 hours per day for these young children so if you have a class of 60, you have to do the same class 3 times!  They also say that the only subjects (yes, subjects in nursery school) that should be taught (yes, taught) are literacy and numeracy which basically means rote learning.  I have encouraged our teachers to do this through play but because of issues of hygiene and cleaning play materials, they may not do this as practically it may pose very difficult!

I will make a plan to visit some of our centres in the coming weeks but as they are far from Lusaka this means staying in local guesthouses which could pose a health risk too!  I pray that God will guide how I do things.

On 8 October, I set off with the Moderator, the General Secretary and the Deputy General Secretary to Lundazi.  We were going as part of a team to evaluate some of the work of our Relief and Development Department (R&D).  I was a bit sceptical as this was my first time out of Lusaka since Covid struck.  We all wore face masks in the vehicle and the windows were open most of the time although it was very hot.  We only closed them when we were on dirt roads and the dust was too much.  We were put into 2 groups and together with staff from R&D, we visited four projects each.  R&D are involved in agriculture, village savings and loans, nutrition and gender and justice projects.  

Village Loans and Savings group

Nutrition for expectant mothers and mothers with children up to 2 years

mothers vegetable gardens to enhance nutrition

Rev Kabaghe talking to the Officer in Charge at Hoya Health clinic

Lead parents in the nutrition programme

Village Savings and loans and agriculture project participants

It was good to see how these projects are changing peoples lives for the better.  There are some challenges but hopefully these will be overcome.  The main stories we heard were that people are now able to send their children to school and pay school fees, that they no longer have to struggle to find food, and some are even able to build houses.  Some incredible stories of transformation.

On my return from Lundazi, I prepared to go to Southern province to visit three of our ECD centres which are based in churches.  I went to Livingstone first and found that one of our teachers has left but they have recruited a new teacher who has a diploma in ECE, so that is an advantage!  I had a lot of fun with the children and teachers (one of the children wanted to come home with me)!  

balancing act...

Its difficult having any form of social distance but I did wear my face mask (in the 40 degree stifling heat)! I met with some of the church leaders too and had a discussion about how they intend to develop the centre!  Good progress is being made on building child friendly toilets at the church.

The following day I moved to Monze to find that a teacher there has also left (and possibly a second one may leave soon too)!  However there was a new teacher there who was trying to do things with the children. I met with the Pastor and we discussed the future of the ECD centre!

match the bottle tops...

I travelled the next day to Mazabuka ECD centre and I was delighted that I was able to find it - I had only been there once before!  This centre opened in 2020 and then had to close because of Covid-19!  Again, I found one teacher has left and they have recruited another!  Unfortunately I found teacher centred learning - children sitting in rows being instructed by the teacher.  I brought a bag of rubbish with me and the children had fun playing with it although the teacher wanted to direct them how to use it!  

From this trip I have now planned to do an orientation with the committees from these three centres at the end of November.  I will also have one week training with the teachers in December!

Before that, we have our Synod meeting which was scheduled for August but due to Covid-19 was postponed.  It was originally supposed to be held in Lusaka but now it has been moved to Lundazi, so I will be travelling to Lundazi on 6 November.  Please pray for our Synod as we have elections for the General secretary and the Deputy General Secretary.  These are key positions in our church and require Godly people with knowledge and ability!  

I will be presenting the Early Childhood Report and the Child Protection Policy report - we are hopeful that the Child protection policy will be adopted at Synod and then we can role it out to the Presbyteries.

I am still working on the last booklet for the teachers and hope to have it completed before I hold a training week in December.

So...its been a busy few weeks and as long as we stay Covid free, it will continue to be busy right up to Christmas!  

While I was working from home I managed to take a few photos of the amazing wildlife and nature in the garden! Always amazes me that at the driest time of year there is so much colour...bear in mind we have not had rain here for over 6 months!!  Our God is incredible!!  

Hope you enjoy the photos and please leave a comment too!

Much love,

Diane x