Final Day at Malambu School

Today, we spent the morning performing community service for the Malambu School. Working with students, teachers, and the head of the school, some of us continued to tend, plant, and post barbed wire around the garden started by the previous group of LSI volunteers. Others of us painted the base coat on the outside of the sixth grade classroom and began painting a mural, which the students and faculty of the Malambu School will finish soon. Those of us who did not paint or garden distributed clothing donations to the students at the Malambu School. Each student got to take home one article of clothing, and most students were extremely grateful for the new additions to their limited wardrobes.

At the end of the school day, we met on the steps in front of the school, where the students, teachers, and even the LSI volunteers performed some traditional songs and dances in celebration of our visit. The “traditional” American song and dance performed by the LSI volunteers was a rousing rendition of Miley Cirus’ “Party in the USA!” The crowd was certainly amused, and a good time was had by all. After the closing ceremony, we all visited local families’ homes where we helped cook (and then eat!) Zambian dishes, such as okra and ground nuts with n’shima. I am impressed with all the strength and time Zambian women spend preparing the family meals (for instance, grinding nuts by hand), not to mention hauling the firewood used to cook the meals, while carrying babies on their backs!

During our time at the Malambu School, our Central High School group (Paige, Jovena, and Kate) met a young man in the seventh grade class whose education we want to sponsor. His name is Tyson, and he’s been ranked first in his class since first grade. Tyson is a double-orphan, meaning both of his parents are dead. He is being raised by his half-sister, Loveness, who is a dedicated, loving teacher at the Malambu School. Tyson is a stellar student with a slightly shy, yet engaging personality, not to mention a 100-watt smile! Loveness’ husband lost his job recently, so she has been using her entire teacher’s salary to support herself and her husband, as well as her five siblings. Without our help, Loveness would probably not have been able to pay for Tyson’s secondary school fees, which are $390 (USD) per year. Tyson’s school fees are more expensive than other students; he must attend boarding school because he has a heart condition which does not allow him to walk the 8+ km distance he would have to walk to and from school each day. Our group plans to use some funds raised at a school dance to pay for Tyson’s first 2 years of school. After that, we would like to have an ongoing fundraising plan so he can complete school through the 12th grade.

Neither Tyson nor Loveness ever asked us for our help in sponsoring him. Instead, Tyson’s dedication to his studies caught our attention while we taught lessons in his seventh-grade classroom. I remember being assigned to work with the seventh grade and wishing we’d been assigned the younger students instead. But perhaps serendipity took over. Because of the circumstances of our meeting, Tyson will hopefully complete high school and have a better chance of living a successful life. When he grows up, Tyson wants to work as an airplane pilot or a teacher, like his sister. During the closing ceremony at the school, the head teacher, Mr. Mweetwa, said to the children, “You are the future of the nation.” I feel fortunate to have met this bright young man who is in need, because we will be able to help impact his future, and he will be able to help others.

Tomorrow, we will drive back to Lusaka and return to our home away from home, the Juls Guest House. While I will be glad to take a warm shower, I will miss the star-filled night sky, the cool night breeze blowing through the insaka while we slept, and awaking with the sunrise and the sound of the animals on the farm. Most of all, I will miss our interactions with the friendly, genuine, humble people. Because of the people we’ve met and the things we’ve been exposed to, my time in Monze was the most meaningful and interesting portion of the trip thus far.

— Kate Conrad