An early blog today as I am doing the candlelit worlds aids day thing later - and Donata has gone to a funeral giving me some unusual afternoon space.
well I think there is a new cook at the Harvest Inn, last night it was steak - and it had some life left in it! We then had the most major storm I have ever seen and heard (and felt as my hut shook in the thunder)
Anyway today is pay day in Zambia - well supposedly - there are huge queues outside some of the banks - and it appears that a number of people have not been paid which is common place. Donata's daughter is a teacher in a government school and this is her 3rd month with no - admin issue apparently - equally the Programming Director of Mkushi Radio said that he has gone 2 months without pay when I grabbed a beer with him last night.
Being a radio man he was interested in what music I liked - and teh whole bar become involved in this discussion so I went to get my ipod and speakers. The verdict
Take That - the jury is out
Freemanson and Goldfrapp - a definate no
Amy Winehouse - a huge row with noone here accepting that she is white!
Anyway up early today and got the Orphan application to the MP - then we waited for Mrs Hunt to come with the money to pay the teachers - she didn't show - so our teachers will also go without pay today - but they are promised cash tomorrow. this was interesting in that they totally accepted this - and actually in teh self assessment exercise actually put although they weren't paid much they did at least get the cash every month unlike many in this country.
I bought bananas from teh lady outside the Harvest Inn today - she always comments that I never buy from her - not intentional just I'm always past het when I start working out what I want - my impulse purchase prompted a Banana Dance from her and we both did a little sing song in the treet. This was interupted by the most horrific noise and I turned round to see a Pig - restrained in a sack, strapped across the cross bar of a push bike and being pushed...presumably towards some type of end.
I had a conversation with Donata about staff today - she wanted more - it reminded me of conversations at work with Centre managers - I said she didn't ahve the budget for a new staff member - she told me to find the cash - I said we can't just print it.....and then - I guess that this is different from our centre managers - she said maybe I could write to the Queen for some cash - I reminded Donata how she had told me last week with great pride that she had been a Freedom Fighter for independence from the UK - Donat smiled and said 'yes but she has cash'
Anyway speak later
R
Tuesday, 30 November 2010
Monday, 29 November 2010
Hunting the MP
Ok - due the rains, and power cuts its third time lucky on this blog...
Thanks to all those who commented on yesterday's lack of blog....it was tubleweed Sunday here - even the peanut stall was closed - and the locals just walked around the market as normal - but with all the stalls closed. There was the usual rounds of hello, hello, high five, high five - and after certain high fives reaching for the anti bac hand wash.
Anyway the Harvest Inn on saturday night was a bit like that bar in Priscilla Queen of the Desert - not the ping pong one! - and they managed to rustle up a very gristly Chicken Leg - so after the earliest Saturday night I have had since childhood I was up with the lark on Sunday - did a load of work - and decided to walk to the lodge about 90 minutes down the road in seach of food.
It was great to get outside of teh village - the fresh African air and quietness - was loveley and I then started to realise I was slightly lost - however striding up the track came a 7 foot vision on purple - I asked her the way and she replied in perfect English with a slightly alarming mid-Atlantic twang that I should follow her. Melody was in Grade 12 and wanted to eb a doctor and was hoping to study in the Uk - we chatted - and then she asked me to slow down - she couldn't keep up in her large heel...well who wears heels in the bush.
Anyway I got to the lode to discover that they also only had Chicken Leg on the menu - I tried a portion and failed and returned back to work - I ahd teh business plan to finish for the MP.
We were outside the MP's office at 8.30 for her appointment - she is just coming we were told, though Donata moaned about her unreliableness - at 11.30 am I joined in the koaning as we left - however not before I sneaked the MPs mobile number from the wall behind her secretary. I phoned and there was no answer - Donata said 'There won't be' so I decided to text her - I ahve never texted an MP before, let alone one I don't know and definately not a Zambian one. There was no reply.
Walking through the village at lnchtime a jeep swerved towards me - the window wound down- and what I can only descriobe as Carmen Miranda - with a yellow top, braided affro black and blond hair and lashings of gold eye liner shried 'Mzungu (white man) - I have no talk time to reply, come to my lodge at 4pm'.
This it seems was teh MP and I was recognised purely on the basis of being a white man in this town.
So I did my radio interview - I think the journalist saw me as white bait and tried his best to be Paxman and then we caught a taxi to the MP's lodge.
It is about 4 miles out of town - Donata was a bit twitch as it was in Cobra Country - but here the MP is building a luxury lodge and conference centre - something else from Politics I guess with an election looming.
We were told that she was busy and were about to turn away when there was a shriek that we would eb seen - we went ina nd were served fanta from a silver tray.
I presented the school plans to het - and like all politicians I had the lecture about priorities and lack of cash - then her Dad walked in, in a suit and bowler cap - and he had only lived in Cardiff at one time. So suddenly the meeting cahnged - cash was promised for Phase One of the relocation.
The MP then moaned that the President was on her back - she had to find 5 orphanages to support by tomorrow - well you all know that I can blag - and 90% of the students are orphans - so I told her that we would be an orphanage if we could have the cash for the dormitories - an application is going endorsed by her to the central government tomorrow. If she keeps her words we have all the capital secured for the relocation - and I ahve been invited for dinner next week.
On the way out I caught Donata looking at one of the rooms in the lodge and saying a prayer of thanks...
In the taxi she said, 'Richard, you achieved what Napoleon did not - and audience with the President'.
Tomorrow I am to meet the white farmer who supports the school - and the staff - then I have been invited to be a guest of honour and the HIV Candlelight vigil for World Aids day - with 15% of the population in this district HIV positive I expect this will be a moving memory of my time here
Take care - we have sun, lightening, thunder and a rainbow all in one here!
R
Thanks to all those who commented on yesterday's lack of blog....it was tubleweed Sunday here - even the peanut stall was closed - and the locals just walked around the market as normal - but with all the stalls closed. There was the usual rounds of hello, hello, high five, high five - and after certain high fives reaching for the anti bac hand wash.
Anyway the Harvest Inn on saturday night was a bit like that bar in Priscilla Queen of the Desert - not the ping pong one! - and they managed to rustle up a very gristly Chicken Leg - so after the earliest Saturday night I have had since childhood I was up with the lark on Sunday - did a load of work - and decided to walk to the lodge about 90 minutes down the road in seach of food.
It was great to get outside of teh village - the fresh African air and quietness - was loveley and I then started to realise I was slightly lost - however striding up the track came a 7 foot vision on purple - I asked her the way and she replied in perfect English with a slightly alarming mid-Atlantic twang that I should follow her. Melody was in Grade 12 and wanted to eb a doctor and was hoping to study in the Uk - we chatted - and then she asked me to slow down - she couldn't keep up in her large heel...well who wears heels in the bush.
Anyway I got to the lode to discover that they also only had Chicken Leg on the menu - I tried a portion and failed and returned back to work - I ahd teh business plan to finish for the MP.
We were outside the MP's office at 8.30 for her appointment - she is just coming we were told, though Donata moaned about her unreliableness - at 11.30 am I joined in the koaning as we left - however not before I sneaked the MPs mobile number from the wall behind her secretary. I phoned and there was no answer - Donata said 'There won't be' so I decided to text her - I ahve never texted an MP before, let alone one I don't know and definately not a Zambian one. There was no reply.
Walking through the village at lnchtime a jeep swerved towards me - the window wound down- and what I can only descriobe as Carmen Miranda - with a yellow top, braided affro black and blond hair and lashings of gold eye liner shried 'Mzungu (white man) - I have no talk time to reply, come to my lodge at 4pm'.
This it seems was teh MP and I was recognised purely on the basis of being a white man in this town.
So I did my radio interview - I think the journalist saw me as white bait and tried his best to be Paxman and then we caught a taxi to the MP's lodge.
It is about 4 miles out of town - Donata was a bit twitch as it was in Cobra Country - but here the MP is building a luxury lodge and conference centre - something else from Politics I guess with an election looming.
We were told that she was busy and were about to turn away when there was a shriek that we would eb seen - we went ina nd were served fanta from a silver tray.
I presented the school plans to het - and like all politicians I had the lecture about priorities and lack of cash - then her Dad walked in, in a suit and bowler cap - and he had only lived in Cardiff at one time. So suddenly the meeting cahnged - cash was promised for Phase One of the relocation.
The MP then moaned that the President was on her back - she had to find 5 orphanages to support by tomorrow - well you all know that I can blag - and 90% of the students are orphans - so I told her that we would be an orphanage if we could have the cash for the dormitories - an application is going endorsed by her to the central government tomorrow. If she keeps her words we have all the capital secured for the relocation - and I ahve been invited for dinner next week.
On the way out I caught Donata looking at one of the rooms in the lodge and saying a prayer of thanks...
In the taxi she said, 'Richard, you achieved what Napoleon did not - and audience with the President'.
Tomorrow I am to meet the white farmer who supports the school - and the staff - then I have been invited to be a guest of honour and the HIV Candlelight vigil for World Aids day - with 15% of the population in this district HIV positive I expect this will be a moving memory of my time here
Take care - we have sun, lightening, thunder and a rainbow all in one here!
R
Saturday, 27 November 2010
Frogs and ex-pats
After last nights Blog it rained big style - so much so that the internet cafe (if you can call 2 pcs and some dodgy wiring that) where I was taking refuge flooded....
Anyway I was chuffed when I got back to the hut that I thought I had managed to persuade the cook to do me egg and chips - this she did manage with the eggs coming about an hour before the chips....anyway I then went for a beer and bumped into the 'Programme Director' of Mkushi Radio where I am to appear on Monday -he was sat sipping a wine (very uncommon here) with his Cardigan and Tie on - media types can be the same the world over!
Anyway surprise of my life when I got back to the hut as I opened the door and something jumped about 3 foot in the air at me - it was only a frog with bright red eyes - some may say that it is not the first time I have encountered a frog on a Friday night !!
Anyway today has been work - there's not much else to do in mkushi to be honest - so I called a staff training day - I am not sure how much my new appraisal process, targets, absence monitoring and code of conduct for the school - but it is needed - I have removed from the staff contracts that phrase -
"If a Pupil does not achieve - do not weep - use corporal punishment'
Anyway a lot of the prep work is nearing completion - our new finance system goes live on Wed - and we launch the business plan in an attempt to get funding on money - guess this is all moving very fast into the next phase - which will be good as the staff are going to have to take responsibility for it all
Tonight I am doing some more work on th Self Assessment report - after all there's no Strictly, X Factor or Charles Street here - I just collated teh returns from the pupils and it is startling how many are asking to board at school - I guess a sad refection of their home situation. At least working evenings and weekends will make sure that the job gets done - and I may be able to grab a few days at the end to see another part of this huge country
I saw a white person in the Market today - I even hovered outside God's General Store which she was in - she came out I smiled - I had a vision of grabbing a beer with some good conversation - then the bitch blanked me!
Anyway the market closed early today - caught me out so I just have peanuts and bananas
It could be a lively night in Mkushi - the UN rolled into town today and paid the farmers for their Maize - they are on the local home brew already
See you tomorrow and we will see what the holy day brings
R
Anyway I was chuffed when I got back to the hut that I thought I had managed to persuade the cook to do me egg and chips - this she did manage with the eggs coming about an hour before the chips....anyway I then went for a beer and bumped into the 'Programme Director' of Mkushi Radio where I am to appear on Monday -he was sat sipping a wine (very uncommon here) with his Cardigan and Tie on - media types can be the same the world over!
Anyway surprise of my life when I got back to the hut as I opened the door and something jumped about 3 foot in the air at me - it was only a frog with bright red eyes - some may say that it is not the first time I have encountered a frog on a Friday night !!
Anyway today has been work - there's not much else to do in mkushi to be honest - so I called a staff training day - I am not sure how much my new appraisal process, targets, absence monitoring and code of conduct for the school - but it is needed - I have removed from the staff contracts that phrase -
"If a Pupil does not achieve - do not weep - use corporal punishment'
Anyway a lot of the prep work is nearing completion - our new finance system goes live on Wed - and we launch the business plan in an attempt to get funding on money - guess this is all moving very fast into the next phase - which will be good as the staff are going to have to take responsibility for it all
Tonight I am doing some more work on th Self Assessment report - after all there's no Strictly, X Factor or Charles Street here - I just collated teh returns from the pupils and it is startling how many are asking to board at school - I guess a sad refection of their home situation. At least working evenings and weekends will make sure that the job gets done - and I may be able to grab a few days at the end to see another part of this huge country
I saw a white person in the Market today - I even hovered outside God's General Store which she was in - she came out I smiled - I had a vision of grabbing a beer with some good conversation - then the bitch blanked me!
Anyway the market closed early today - caught me out so I just have peanuts and bananas
It could be a lively night in Mkushi - the UN rolled into town today and paid the farmers for their Maize - they are on the local home brew already
See you tomorrow and we will see what the holy day brings
R
Friday, 26 November 2010
Rollercoaster day
not really sure where to start today - I worked last night on the business plan - and got quite a lot done - but it does feel like one step forward - fifteen back at times...
I went to school this morning - which was great - I don't go every day as much of my work involves seeing stakeholders etc so I base myself in my hut and the council offices etc - as always the kids were on good form - and I set the teachers off working with the young people getting their thoughts on what was good and what was bad about school - a key part of any self assessment process.
Donata arrived and we reviewed yesterdays work - and once again all the goalposts had changed - and facts and figures were different to all those that we used yesterday in the financial modellling. I know that I am not good at hiding when I am pissed off - maybe that should be part of my learning journey!
Anyway I have been ferretting round the school office and have found a lot of empty files - a new financial records system, staff appraisals and performance management have been added onto my list of things to do - that met with long faces from some of the staff -
Anyway I was humbled and then stumped by the kids - the self assessment came back saying that they would like a school uniform, a computer (yes just one), clean toilets, ventilation, painted walls and better qualified teachers - they like the fact that there is a school and there is a huge thumbs up to the fact that they get lunch. I was supposed to do the same exercise with the teachers but they have asked for the weekend to work on their answer - I was then stumped with a question about western toilets - when you flush and the poss goes down the pipe where does it end up?
Anyway I then decided to go back to my hut so I could do some work - school is fun but there is no peace and we would only change the contents of this business plan again - I wasn't then banking on the teachers and Donata all coming to my hut and sitting on my bed to watch me work (note I have no where else to sit other than my bed). So I said that I needed to go shopping - yeah a likely story like John Lewis Mkushi has just opened! but I got peace and have been able to crack on with financial and appraisal systems.
I was slightly disturbed by a very small scaley face with a little tongue poking out - peeping round the door - I waited - baited breath - and was relieved when it moved forward that it had legs - so was a lizard not a snake....hello mr lizard you are welcome!
Thanks again for the texts - and those that moaned away to last night - and the special award for tact goes to Parker...after just having an avocado and a peanut butter sandwich all day yesterday it was great to know that you had consumed a Marks and Spencer - 2 can dine for 10.99 to yourself!
Well you should hear the rain and the thunder - ick....
Speak later and I'll tell you about friday night at the Harvest Inn!
R
I went to school this morning - which was great - I don't go every day as much of my work involves seeing stakeholders etc so I base myself in my hut and the council offices etc - as always the kids were on good form - and I set the teachers off working with the young people getting their thoughts on what was good and what was bad about school - a key part of any self assessment process.
Donata arrived and we reviewed yesterdays work - and once again all the goalposts had changed - and facts and figures were different to all those that we used yesterday in the financial modellling. I know that I am not good at hiding when I am pissed off - maybe that should be part of my learning journey!
Anyway I have been ferretting round the school office and have found a lot of empty files - a new financial records system, staff appraisals and performance management have been added onto my list of things to do - that met with long faces from some of the staff -
Anyway I was humbled and then stumped by the kids - the self assessment came back saying that they would like a school uniform, a computer (yes just one), clean toilets, ventilation, painted walls and better qualified teachers - they like the fact that there is a school and there is a huge thumbs up to the fact that they get lunch. I was supposed to do the same exercise with the teachers but they have asked for the weekend to work on their answer - I was then stumped with a question about western toilets - when you flush and the poss goes down the pipe where does it end up?
Anyway I then decided to go back to my hut so I could do some work - school is fun but there is no peace and we would only change the contents of this business plan again - I wasn't then banking on the teachers and Donata all coming to my hut and sitting on my bed to watch me work (note I have no where else to sit other than my bed). So I said that I needed to go shopping - yeah a likely story like John Lewis Mkushi has just opened! but I got peace and have been able to crack on with financial and appraisal systems.
I was slightly disturbed by a very small scaley face with a little tongue poking out - peeping round the door - I waited - baited breath - and was relieved when it moved forward that it had legs - so was a lizard not a snake....hello mr lizard you are welcome!
Thanks again for the texts - and those that moaned away to last night - and the special award for tact goes to Parker...after just having an avocado and a peanut butter sandwich all day yesterday it was great to know that you had consumed a Marks and Spencer - 2 can dine for 10.99 to yourself!
Well you should hear the rain and the thunder - ick....
Speak later and I'll tell you about friday night at the Harvest Inn!
R
Thursday, 25 November 2010
Toss
What a weird day - and loads of ups and downs
This morning Donata wanted to visit the education department - so we went their and there was noone in so we waited - and waited - then gave up - then I was to meet the District Comissioner - he seemed pleased to see me - and had the first air con that I have come across - he also had a selection of flags on his desk - and bizarely a 5 foot high gold painted Maize plant. He also had gout - so I sympathised as a fellow sufferer and then offered him my miracle tablet - maybe he will fund the school.
I thin had the amazing news that out Aberdare and Ponty centres from work have raised 350 quid to sponsor a teacher - that's amazing - I have not told the school yet.
We then went to school and had a staff meeting so that I could update them on my progress - it was idyllic under the mango tree until the rains hit. There were no school lunches today as the cook was at a funeral - there are only 4 staff members at the school and 3 working days this week have been lost to different funerals - it's a sad reflection of this village. You see Mkushi is a staging post on the great north road - traffic passes here from Tanzania - heading south to Botswana and Namibia - and also west to Congo - as such it is one of Zambia's worst places for HIV and AIDS - those lorry drivers don't behave - and also prostitution is quite rife in the village.
Anyway this afternoon I stareted in earnest on the business plan for the school - and I have to claim frustration as all the salaries and staffing requirements changed with every bottle of Fanta that Donata placed on my account! There is a shortfall on the running of teh school that Donata intends to make up by keeping and selling Chickens - she can make about two pound fifty per chicken....however she seemed to determined to keep an infinite amount of chickens to meet the defecit - we did have words that I felt that 5000 chickens was excessive, unsellable and made her a chicken farmer not a headmistress. To prove my point I went into the market and analysed chicken sales (note chickens are sold live and slaughtered as necessary at the stall). Chicken sales were no where near Donata's hopes and we are to look at other income - cabbages were mooted as we packed up tonight - I am more thinking about Government subsidy! The bonus was there were avocado in the market
I did get to meet the deputy education minister today - I scored his mobile number from flirting with his secretary so phone \d it - he said he would see me immediately - I have never met a minister before so inadequately dressed - a sweaty fred perry and cargo shorts - raybans on my head - anyway he was great and we continue our discussions next week.
So Caterpillars - hard, deep fried and crunchy - and not filling.
Toss..? Well I got my clothes laundered yesterday - the maid at the Harvest Inn offered to do them - I do miss Fatimah (and her sweet store) - anyway I also had to buy soap powder - so I left her w\some Kwacha - she left me the unused soap powder, beautifiully called Toss - and on looking on the inbstructions it says if your floor is greasy use extra Toss!
Tomorrow we start the school self assessment process - and I have morning workshops with the kids and afternoon workshops with the staff - should be good
Anyway I must go - speak soon
R
This morning Donata wanted to visit the education department - so we went their and there was noone in so we waited - and waited - then gave up - then I was to meet the District Comissioner - he seemed pleased to see me - and had the first air con that I have come across - he also had a selection of flags on his desk - and bizarely a 5 foot high gold painted Maize plant. He also had gout - so I sympathised as a fellow sufferer and then offered him my miracle tablet - maybe he will fund the school.
I thin had the amazing news that out Aberdare and Ponty centres from work have raised 350 quid to sponsor a teacher - that's amazing - I have not told the school yet.
We then went to school and had a staff meeting so that I could update them on my progress - it was idyllic under the mango tree until the rains hit. There were no school lunches today as the cook was at a funeral - there are only 4 staff members at the school and 3 working days this week have been lost to different funerals - it's a sad reflection of this village. You see Mkushi is a staging post on the great north road - traffic passes here from Tanzania - heading south to Botswana and Namibia - and also west to Congo - as such it is one of Zambia's worst places for HIV and AIDS - those lorry drivers don't behave - and also prostitution is quite rife in the village.
Anyway this afternoon I stareted in earnest on the business plan for the school - and I have to claim frustration as all the salaries and staffing requirements changed with every bottle of Fanta that Donata placed on my account! There is a shortfall on the running of teh school that Donata intends to make up by keeping and selling Chickens - she can make about two pound fifty per chicken....however she seemed to determined to keep an infinite amount of chickens to meet the defecit - we did have words that I felt that 5000 chickens was excessive, unsellable and made her a chicken farmer not a headmistress. To prove my point I went into the market and analysed chicken sales (note chickens are sold live and slaughtered as necessary at the stall). Chicken sales were no where near Donata's hopes and we are to look at other income - cabbages were mooted as we packed up tonight - I am more thinking about Government subsidy! The bonus was there were avocado in the market
I did get to meet the deputy education minister today - I scored his mobile number from flirting with his secretary so phone \d it - he said he would see me immediately - I have never met a minister before so inadequately dressed - a sweaty fred perry and cargo shorts - raybans on my head - anyway he was great and we continue our discussions next week.
So Caterpillars - hard, deep fried and crunchy - and not filling.
Toss..? Well I got my clothes laundered yesterday - the maid at the Harvest Inn offered to do them - I do miss Fatimah (and her sweet store) - anyway I also had to buy soap powder - so I left her w\some Kwacha - she left me the unused soap powder, beautifiully called Toss - and on looking on the inbstructions it says if your floor is greasy use extra Toss!
Tomorrow we start the school self assessment process - and I have morning workshops with the kids and afternoon workshops with the staff - should be good
Anyway I must go - speak soon
R
Wednesday, 24 November 2010
Networking day...
Hi
Firstly thanks to all those who have emailed etc - its great to know people are reading this and I'm not just blogging into the darkness.
What a bizarre day - I was tired - the rains arrived last night big style - wham bam thunder and lightening on the roof of my hut! I think the whole village was on go slow this morning.
Anyway we went to hand in the application for funding for the school - a long process - off to the internet cafe to print it (the school has no printer - and then it transpired the internet cafe had no paper) - then to the photocopying stall in the market 0- and lastly to stationary shool to buy an envelope - Donata said this wasn't needed - but I insisted that we dont o a funding bid with no envelope.
Anyway we then went to the Council to hand it in - and madness took over - I was ferried from Office to Office meeting people talking to them about why I am here - I met teh head of teh Counclil, the HIV team, Planning, Social Welfare, Procurement, Education, District Comissioner and Health - meetings were stopped for my arrival!
I suggested to Donata that we needed more to say than 'hello' so we will eb returning next week with the business plan -(which I still have to write - guess that's the weekend). Then in teh street we bumped into teh local Chief - who gifted the land for the new school - so an invite to the Palace follows to present said business plan.
Moving on Donata was stopping all and sundry to introduce me - she then had to go to the bank to get her pension - its fourteen quid and took 90 minutes to withdraw - I took the opportunity for a nap under a tree in the bank's grounds.
This afternoon we went to the site of the new school - its in the poor area of the village - over the bridge where I am not allowed to go without being accompanied. Its on a plateau on teh top of a hill - its roasting hot with views to local grantite hills - and surrounded by mud and straw huts - it was in real Africa with Ox's ploughing the ground - and the people here really did have nothing. Donata told me this was also where she lived - I just gulped and carried on.
We walked back to the to0wn attracting local kids following the Mzungu - White Man - like the Pied Piper of Hamlyn - and then set a list of things to do - word seems to be getting out that there's a stranger in town. I am to meet the local MP on Monday, the Community Radio Station are makinga programme about me - I tried to hold out for a series - and it now looks as though I may be meetying teh Zambian education Minister for Education before I leave.
Other than that the vollage and school want me to return - with some Rathbone young people next year - go get teh cash for that Rossy!
And Bev re your note on sending things / helping - watch this space....
Anyway apologies for the bad typing - I am racing both the lighta nd teh rain (which will mean a power cut)
And - apparently its Caterpillars for tea - can't wait.........
Good news there was Watermelon in the Market - though Donata is outraged that I was ripped of because I paid 40p for it!
Take care all
Firstly thanks to all those who have emailed etc - its great to know people are reading this and I'm not just blogging into the darkness.
What a bizarre day - I was tired - the rains arrived last night big style - wham bam thunder and lightening on the roof of my hut! I think the whole village was on go slow this morning.
Anyway we went to hand in the application for funding for the school - a long process - off to the internet cafe to print it (the school has no printer - and then it transpired the internet cafe had no paper) - then to the photocopying stall in the market 0- and lastly to stationary shool to buy an envelope - Donata said this wasn't needed - but I insisted that we dont o a funding bid with no envelope.
Anyway we then went to the Council to hand it in - and madness took over - I was ferried from Office to Office meeting people talking to them about why I am here - I met teh head of teh Counclil, the HIV team, Planning, Social Welfare, Procurement, Education, District Comissioner and Health - meetings were stopped for my arrival!
I suggested to Donata that we needed more to say than 'hello' so we will eb returning next week with the business plan -(which I still have to write - guess that's the weekend). Then in teh street we bumped into teh local Chief - who gifted the land for the new school - so an invite to the Palace follows to present said business plan.
Moving on Donata was stopping all and sundry to introduce me - she then had to go to the bank to get her pension - its fourteen quid and took 90 minutes to withdraw - I took the opportunity for a nap under a tree in the bank's grounds.
This afternoon we went to the site of the new school - its in the poor area of the village - over the bridge where I am not allowed to go without being accompanied. Its on a plateau on teh top of a hill - its roasting hot with views to local grantite hills - and surrounded by mud and straw huts - it was in real Africa with Ox's ploughing the ground - and the people here really did have nothing. Donata told me this was also where she lived - I just gulped and carried on.
We walked back to the to0wn attracting local kids following the Mzungu - White Man - like the Pied Piper of Hamlyn - and then set a list of things to do - word seems to be getting out that there's a stranger in town. I am to meet the local MP on Monday, the Community Radio Station are makinga programme about me - I tried to hold out for a series - and it now looks as though I may be meetying teh Zambian education Minister for Education before I leave.
Other than that the vollage and school want me to return - with some Rathbone young people next year - go get teh cash for that Rossy!
And Bev re your note on sending things / helping - watch this space....
Anyway apologies for the bad typing - I am racing both the lighta nd teh rain (which will mean a power cut)
And - apparently its Caterpillars for tea - can't wait.........
Good news there was Watermelon in the Market - though Donata is outraged that I was ripped of because I paid 40p for it!
Take care all
Tuesday, 23 November 2010
The Value of a pound....
Last night I realised that the fan in my room didn't have a plug - so I went to reception and whilst debating with them the safety of placing the exposed wires direct int the wall socket I noticed that some rooms were 10,000 Kwacha more than mine -about one pound twenty - on enquiry these were superior rooms with a fridge - at which I practically squealed with excitement - my water is now cold at all times - and today I ahve bought 2 tupperware containers at the market so I could store food in the fridge.....I haven't as yet found any food to store - but am ready for when I do! What was humbling was the school staff coming to admire my fridge - I guess with the teachers paid 25 quid a month its well out of their league,
Anyway I sat last night with Donata and talked for hours - what is becoming obvious is that this is a powerful story of a lady's determination, strength, guts and grief.
I think I have said that Donata is 67 years old - she is disabled - and for a number of years she was a typist in the government. Aged 62, having lost two of her children, she decided that something needed to be done in this small town in Northern Zambia to support disable kids to independent living. There was nothing for these kids - and many were hidden by their parents for fear of stigma. Donata is an ordinary village person here, but she lobbied the white farmers on their estates locally and in partnership with the church she set up teh school.
The school now has 35 pupils; across grades 1-5 - and despite recieving no government funding recieves annual inspection. All the work is funded via one farming family - Mr and Mrs Hunt - who I am to meet later.
Anyway the Nuns now want their convent back - Donata has secured some land from the local Chief (whom I am to meet next week) - and is now setting about building a school. Donata's ambition is to build a school witha number of classrooms and boarding facilities. Boarding facilities will ensure better attendance (the young people, some with mobility issues walk miles) - and also allow pupils from a much wider area to attend. In addition she will commence education for the blind - there is already a unit here for the deaf - let's just put this in perspective this is a big dream when the school can't afford paper, and is saving at the moment to buy a ribbon for the typewriter.
Anyway the new schoool will support 200 pupils - Donata has funding for 50% of the Capital from a UK trust fund, the foundations are laid - and today I have applied to the Zambian government for 35 million Kwacha to build a further 2 classrooms. Foundations are laid - and this will happen - the village is also making it happen with the community helping to break and shift stones. Long term this will all be supported with teh development of a land based social enterprise / work based learning initiative.
Anyway I will fill you in more on that another time....today I went to the school for the first time -
Situated in a few small rooms in the back of the convent, surrounded by and smelling of chickens this was an amazing place. My first job was to present back exam papers to the younger kids who were doing maths - I'm guessing at about Entry 3 - 50% of the class got 100%. I then gave them the pens / pencils I bought over and they sang a 'Welcome Mr Newton' song that they wrote yesterday.
I then went into Donata's office to do the funding application that has to e in by the end of the week - Donata wanted me to have her desk - but I'm not having the headteachers desk - so have made a office in the Maize store - with frequent interuptions from the chickens.
I then went and had a Q and A session from the kids - it was fascinating - they were in awe of the fact that I had 2 parents both aged 69 - it was only on relection I realised that 80% of these kids are orphans - and the life expectancy here is 42 due to HIV and AIDS - I am an old man myself!
They were also fascinated by the cold in the UK - both pupils (via translation - sound and sign) - were astonished that we didn't die when the tempertaure dropped to zero - and the fact that I, notr most my friends go to church caused great interest.
Somehow I had to explain what a Cinema was - when the penny dropped as to the size of Cinema screens the kids sat opened mouthed....
Anyway I could go on - school finishes at lunchtime with an Ingera (maize) school meal - which I said to give my portion to the kids - and we played a game of football whilst this was cooked. My football skills are not great - Matt, Pubby, mr Longly you would have been proud - though one poor girl got a thudding great whack in her face from a ball I kicked - still she had full compensation from having one of the 'Big White Man's wet wipes' something she was clutching an hour later as she left school.
Anyway signing off now - more meetings about this new school...
R
Anyway I sat last night with Donata and talked for hours - what is becoming obvious is that this is a powerful story of a lady's determination, strength, guts and grief.
I think I have said that Donata is 67 years old - she is disabled - and for a number of years she was a typist in the government. Aged 62, having lost two of her children, she decided that something needed to be done in this small town in Northern Zambia to support disable kids to independent living. There was nothing for these kids - and many were hidden by their parents for fear of stigma. Donata is an ordinary village person here, but she lobbied the white farmers on their estates locally and in partnership with the church she set up teh school.
The school now has 35 pupils; across grades 1-5 - and despite recieving no government funding recieves annual inspection. All the work is funded via one farming family - Mr and Mrs Hunt - who I am to meet later.
Anyway the Nuns now want their convent back - Donata has secured some land from the local Chief (whom I am to meet next week) - and is now setting about building a school. Donata's ambition is to build a school witha number of classrooms and boarding facilities. Boarding facilities will ensure better attendance (the young people, some with mobility issues walk miles) - and also allow pupils from a much wider area to attend. In addition she will commence education for the blind - there is already a unit here for the deaf - let's just put this in perspective this is a big dream when the school can't afford paper, and is saving at the moment to buy a ribbon for the typewriter.
Anyway the new schoool will support 200 pupils - Donata has funding for 50% of the Capital from a UK trust fund, the foundations are laid - and today I have applied to the Zambian government for 35 million Kwacha to build a further 2 classrooms. Foundations are laid - and this will happen - the village is also making it happen with the community helping to break and shift stones. Long term this will all be supported with teh development of a land based social enterprise / work based learning initiative.
Anyway I will fill you in more on that another time....today I went to the school for the first time -
Situated in a few small rooms in the back of the convent, surrounded by and smelling of chickens this was an amazing place. My first job was to present back exam papers to the younger kids who were doing maths - I'm guessing at about Entry 3 - 50% of the class got 100%. I then gave them the pens / pencils I bought over and they sang a 'Welcome Mr Newton' song that they wrote yesterday.
I then went into Donata's office to do the funding application that has to e in by the end of the week - Donata wanted me to have her desk - but I'm not having the headteachers desk - so have made a office in the Maize store - with frequent interuptions from the chickens.
I then went and had a Q and A session from the kids - it was fascinating - they were in awe of the fact that I had 2 parents both aged 69 - it was only on relection I realised that 80% of these kids are orphans - and the life expectancy here is 42 due to HIV and AIDS - I am an old man myself!
They were also fascinated by the cold in the UK - both pupils (via translation - sound and sign) - were astonished that we didn't die when the tempertaure dropped to zero - and the fact that I, notr most my friends go to church caused great interest.
Somehow I had to explain what a Cinema was - when the penny dropped as to the size of Cinema screens the kids sat opened mouthed....
Anyway I could go on - school finishes at lunchtime with an Ingera (maize) school meal - which I said to give my portion to the kids - and we played a game of football whilst this was cooked. My football skills are not great - Matt, Pubby, mr Longly you would have been proud - though one poor girl got a thudding great whack in her face from a ball I kicked - still she had full compensation from having one of the 'Big White Man's wet wipes' something she was clutching an hour later as she left school.
Anyway signing off now - more meetings about this new school...
R
Monday, 22 November 2010
An Idiot Abroad!
When I was leaving the UK many people asked me if I watched 'An Idiot Abroad' - the answer is I have never seen it - but certainly felt I was living it earlier today on the PostBus.
My taxi failed to turn up - leaving me running to catch the Post Bus....anyhow I made it and joined the throngs outside it. My bag was passed over heads onto the bus as we waited to board - I have to confess to feeling a bit of an idiot as I stood there - the only white man in sight with a pair of Raybans on my head, a Fred Perry T-shirt and a laptop case. Other passengers had traditional dress, jerry cans, maize and their worldly pocessions. Anyway we boarded the bus in a scrum that Easy Jet would have been proud of and then more goods were loaded onto the bus - the aisle was waist deep in maize seed and post - and looking behind me i realised that any sudden braking would have left be submerged in an avalanche of post and maize. We departed and the driver it turned our was a relative of Michael.......Michael Schumaker.
Anyway as we started to approach Mkushi - my map reading skills helped me define we were there - I started to get nervous - I'm not sure if it was about the impending task - or the prospect of the assualt course to leave the bus with three bags!
Donata as promised was at the post office - dressed in her finest. We arrived at 11am - she had been there since 8am in case the bus was early - she told me that you don't leave a friend waiting. We caught the one taxi in town to the Harvest Inn - which is to be my residence for the next 25 days - the jury's out but there's no real alternative - the electricity and toilet work - I guess I am being fussing thinking that I would like a pillow - or a wardrobe. Anyway the Harvest Inn has a cocktail bar - and they were in there at 11am - maybe it is the equivalent of Wetherspoons in this town.
Donata is an amazing woman and in the next 2 hours humbled me totally - she told me her life story - one of a lot of loss like so many out here - but she is fighting to keep and grow this school which I have yet to see. She is 67 but is like a 30 year old. She has already set me my tasks! - but she cried and prayed to God when I gave her the lovespoon and also when she saw that I had a computer with me.
Her main goal is to secure 50million Kwacha to build and sustain the school's future - including staff salaries and the development of a residential wing - these disabled kids are walking 10 miles a day to school - 50 million Kwacha sounds a lot - in reality it's 7 thousand quid.
Donata left - she wants to make sure that the school is ready for my arrival tomorrow! I don't want to be treated like i'm on ceremony. I have explored the town - I guess in reality I was hoping that the other accomodation the Mkushi Motel would be a 5 star lodge and I could transfer - in reality it is 0.05 star! What can I say about Mkushi; it's really friendly, the shops have virtually nothing in them, the market does a vast range of tomatoes, mangoes and grubs; the smell from the butchers was almost too much to walk past - and I'd kill for a packet of crisps.
I have to go now - Donata is returning with the teachers at 4pm to go through my tasks - for those of you who are interested they are -
1. Create a fundraising plan
2. Reform their adminstrative processes
3. Create a self assessment report and quality development plan
4. Link them to other similar organisations around the world
An Idiot Abroad? - the Jury's out!
R
My taxi failed to turn up - leaving me running to catch the Post Bus....anyhow I made it and joined the throngs outside it. My bag was passed over heads onto the bus as we waited to board - I have to confess to feeling a bit of an idiot as I stood there - the only white man in sight with a pair of Raybans on my head, a Fred Perry T-shirt and a laptop case. Other passengers had traditional dress, jerry cans, maize and their worldly pocessions. Anyway we boarded the bus in a scrum that Easy Jet would have been proud of and then more goods were loaded onto the bus - the aisle was waist deep in maize seed and post - and looking behind me i realised that any sudden braking would have left be submerged in an avalanche of post and maize. We departed and the driver it turned our was a relative of Michael.......Michael Schumaker.
Anyway as we started to approach Mkushi - my map reading skills helped me define we were there - I started to get nervous - I'm not sure if it was about the impending task - or the prospect of the assualt course to leave the bus with three bags!
Donata as promised was at the post office - dressed in her finest. We arrived at 11am - she had been there since 8am in case the bus was early - she told me that you don't leave a friend waiting. We caught the one taxi in town to the Harvest Inn - which is to be my residence for the next 25 days - the jury's out but there's no real alternative - the electricity and toilet work - I guess I am being fussing thinking that I would like a pillow - or a wardrobe. Anyway the Harvest Inn has a cocktail bar - and they were in there at 11am - maybe it is the equivalent of Wetherspoons in this town.
Donata is an amazing woman and in the next 2 hours humbled me totally - she told me her life story - one of a lot of loss like so many out here - but she is fighting to keep and grow this school which I have yet to see. She is 67 but is like a 30 year old. She has already set me my tasks! - but she cried and prayed to God when I gave her the lovespoon and also when she saw that I had a computer with me.
Her main goal is to secure 50million Kwacha to build and sustain the school's future - including staff salaries and the development of a residential wing - these disabled kids are walking 10 miles a day to school - 50 million Kwacha sounds a lot - in reality it's 7 thousand quid.
Donata left - she wants to make sure that the school is ready for my arrival tomorrow! I don't want to be treated like i'm on ceremony. I have explored the town - I guess in reality I was hoping that the other accomodation the Mkushi Motel would be a 5 star lodge and I could transfer - in reality it is 0.05 star! What can I say about Mkushi; it's really friendly, the shops have virtually nothing in them, the market does a vast range of tomatoes, mangoes and grubs; the smell from the butchers was almost too much to walk past - and I'd kill for a packet of crisps.
I have to go now - Donata is returning with the teachers at 4pm to go through my tasks - for those of you who are interested they are -
1. Create a fundraising plan
2. Reform their adminstrative processes
3. Create a self assessment report and quality development plan
4. Link them to other similar organisations around the world
An Idiot Abroad? - the Jury's out!
R
Sunday, 21 November 2010
A fan to blow Grace Jones' clothes off!
After blogging last night I returned to the hotel in a taxi passing 2 car crashed in about 4 minutes - my driver was at odds to tell me how many bad drivers there were in Zambia - taking several red lights as he did so!
Anyway bit of a chill day today - did some shopping for the bits I've decided I needed - and got some cash from the ATM - ironically turning round to see the guy from the plane 'there are no ATM's in this town' in the queue behind me - I just smiled and said 'found one' - but it's made me chuckle all day!
Went to the market with a feast of sounds and smells; and they seemed determined to sell me an axe, sledgehammer or machete - I escaped with nothing and then managed to smuggle myself into the local 5 start hotel for an afternoon by the pool - all went to plan until a huge electrical storm meant that outdoor activities were off!
Just for Nicola the animal count stands at Lizards - lots, Rats -2 (but big enough to be re-classified as 4)!
Anyway tomorrow the job starts so to speak - feel a bit like the new boy - I still know very little. A few of you have asked if I am nervous - not really - but I am just hoping that I will live up to the school's expectation's and be able to do the task that has been set - whatever that may be!
Otherwise all good - hoping to get some decent sleep tonight - it was very hot in my room. I do have a fan in there - and it's very string - in fact I was reminded of year's ago when working with Grace Jones and her rider requestd a fan strong enough to blow her clothes off - well this is it! However for sleeping is feels like being in the sound and slip steam of an Airbus 360....
Oh I did speak to Donata from the school today - she will meet be in Mkushi tomorrow outside the post office....she seems very nice on the phone - all I know about her is she will be wearing a suit - and she missed my first call today as she was in Church.......so far the common ground is limiting!
Well speak soon and tell you about my new home for the next 4 weeks - once I find it
Rich
Anyway bit of a chill day today - did some shopping for the bits I've decided I needed - and got some cash from the ATM - ironically turning round to see the guy from the plane 'there are no ATM's in this town' in the queue behind me - I just smiled and said 'found one' - but it's made me chuckle all day!
Went to the market with a feast of sounds and smells; and they seemed determined to sell me an axe, sledgehammer or machete - I escaped with nothing and then managed to smuggle myself into the local 5 start hotel for an afternoon by the pool - all went to plan until a huge electrical storm meant that outdoor activities were off!
Just for Nicola the animal count stands at Lizards - lots, Rats -2 (but big enough to be re-classified as 4)!
Anyway tomorrow the job starts so to speak - feel a bit like the new boy - I still know very little. A few of you have asked if I am nervous - not really - but I am just hoping that I will live up to the school's expectation's and be able to do the task that has been set - whatever that may be!
Otherwise all good - hoping to get some decent sleep tonight - it was very hot in my room. I do have a fan in there - and it's very string - in fact I was reminded of year's ago when working with Grace Jones and her rider requestd a fan strong enough to blow her clothes off - well this is it! However for sleeping is feels like being in the sound and slip steam of an Airbus 360....
Oh I did speak to Donata from the school today - she will meet be in Mkushi tomorrow outside the post office....she seems very nice on the phone - all I know about her is she will be wearing a suit - and she missed my first call today as she was in Church.......so far the common ground is limiting!
Well speak soon and tell you about my new home for the next 4 weeks - once I find it
Rich
Saturday, 20 November 2010
Well I'm here....
Greetings from Lusaka -
The flight was fairly good apart from a dodgy and near aborted landing as the rain suddenly hit and a fellow passenger. As I sat with that pint - and some prawns in T5 I praised myself at being able to get a bulkhead seat and the prospect of stretching out on the eleven hours ahead. We boarded - I made myself comfortable - them my dreams were shattered as lumbering towards me - complete with cowboy hat - and the words 'howdy seat mate' appeared a 7ft high by 7 ft wide American. After a range of inflicted conversation about how he was a frequent traveller and knew there were no ATM's in Zambia ( there so are - and there were 5 years ago when I was last here); and how he was convinced that we would be subject to 'internal cavity examination' to enter the country I decided to absorb myself in the in-flight entertainment (Glee) and then fell asleep. See Parker it's not just with you I watch Glee and fall asleep! Anyway it worked and I awoke as we were descending in the rain to land.
I was to be met by Peter at the airport - I thought he would be holding a board saying something like ' Newt' or 'Dickie' - there was no board; in fact after circling the arrivals hall several times I concluded there was no Peter.....and no answer on his mobile....but just as I was debating next moves in turned up in his truck and off we shot into the city.
I am staying here for 2 nights - at somewhere called Marble Inn - there is no marble though - or hot water but its clean and close to the city centre.
I met Peter again this afternoon over a beer for my 'In Country Induction' - it was very short and I think was his excuse to get to a bar to watch Spurs versus Arsenal - as though of you who know me well will imagine - I failed at being a great footy watching buddy.
Anyway I do have a Zambian mobile if you want to use it - from the UK 0026 974899978 and I know a few more things about my task....
I go to Mkushi at 6am on Monday - the bus is so luxury it also will be carrying the post and I am to catch it at the central post office. Donata from Donata school will meet me in Mkushi when the bus arrives - anytime between 9am and midday (maybe it depends on deliveries?) - and then I start to help Donata to grow her school.
Mkushi has 3,000 people - not like Lusaka's 1 Million then - but apparently there's an expat farming community - who are 'quite lively'
That's all I know - oh and the school will give me lunch everyday - I must be grateful for that I know - but I wasn't good with British School dinners....
Speak soon -
The flight was fairly good apart from a dodgy and near aborted landing as the rain suddenly hit and a fellow passenger. As I sat with that pint - and some prawns in T5 I praised myself at being able to get a bulkhead seat and the prospect of stretching out on the eleven hours ahead. We boarded - I made myself comfortable - them my dreams were shattered as lumbering towards me - complete with cowboy hat - and the words 'howdy seat mate' appeared a 7ft high by 7 ft wide American. After a range of inflicted conversation about how he was a frequent traveller and knew there were no ATM's in Zambia ( there so are - and there were 5 years ago when I was last here); and how he was convinced that we would be subject to 'internal cavity examination' to enter the country I decided to absorb myself in the in-flight entertainment (Glee) and then fell asleep. See Parker it's not just with you I watch Glee and fall asleep! Anyway it worked and I awoke as we were descending in the rain to land.
I was to be met by Peter at the airport - I thought he would be holding a board saying something like ' Newt' or 'Dickie' - there was no board; in fact after circling the arrivals hall several times I concluded there was no Peter.....and no answer on his mobile....but just as I was debating next moves in turned up in his truck and off we shot into the city.
I am staying here for 2 nights - at somewhere called Marble Inn - there is no marble though - or hot water but its clean and close to the city centre.
I met Peter again this afternoon over a beer for my 'In Country Induction' - it was very short and I think was his excuse to get to a bar to watch Spurs versus Arsenal - as though of you who know me well will imagine - I failed at being a great footy watching buddy.
Anyway I do have a Zambian mobile if you want to use it - from the UK 0026 974899978 and I know a few more things about my task....
I go to Mkushi at 6am on Monday - the bus is so luxury it also will be carrying the post and I am to catch it at the central post office. Donata from Donata school will meet me in Mkushi when the bus arrives - anytime between 9am and midday (maybe it depends on deliveries?) - and then I start to help Donata to grow her school.
Mkushi has 3,000 people - not like Lusaka's 1 Million then - but apparently there's an expat farming community - who are 'quite lively'
That's all I know - oh and the school will give me lunch everyday - I must be grateful for that I know - but I wasn't good with British School dinners....
Speak soon -
Thursday, 18 November 2010
Departure day minus one!
Well it looks like it's finally happening......
Having had lots of jabs, got my visa, I ought to think about packing.
I leave tomorrow - and know very little other than I arrive in Lusaka on Saturday morning where I will be met by Peter, who is the in-country rep for the scheme. After 2 days in Lusaka I am off to Mkushi of which I know very little - even Wikipedia tells me not much more other than it exists.
Peter has also added that he has bought me a bus ticket for my transfer to Mkushi.....I know those Africa busses....so Monday is going to be hot and dusty - and very different to a day in Pontypridd.
I am excited about going - those of you who know me well will know that I have had a manic few weeks so I have to be honest it's only now that I am really thinking on the challenge ahead - and am looking forward to actually starting the journey - think of me at 5pm tomorrow with a pint in Terminal 5!
Anyway I must go pack - I seem to have got carried away with things for the school from Welsh Rugby Balls to Flags and Lovespoons......along with a load of pencils and pens....best make some room for some clothes
Speak soon -
Richrd
Having had lots of jabs, got my visa, I ought to think about packing.
I leave tomorrow - and know very little other than I arrive in Lusaka on Saturday morning where I will be met by Peter, who is the in-country rep for the scheme. After 2 days in Lusaka I am off to Mkushi of which I know very little - even Wikipedia tells me not much more other than it exists.
Peter has also added that he has bought me a bus ticket for my transfer to Mkushi.....I know those Africa busses....so Monday is going to be hot and dusty - and very different to a day in Pontypridd.
I am excited about going - those of you who know me well will know that I have had a manic few weeks so I have to be honest it's only now that I am really thinking on the challenge ahead - and am looking forward to actually starting the journey - think of me at 5pm tomorrow with a pint in Terminal 5!
Anyway I must go pack - I seem to have got carried away with things for the school from Welsh Rugby Balls to Flags and Lovespoons......along with a load of pencils and pens....best make some room for some clothes
Speak soon -
Richrd
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