November 2022

The annual Independence Day Celebrations give communities the opportunity to reflect on the Zambia’s journey since independence was granted by the British Government 58 years ago on 24 October 1964. I am one of a diminishing number of people in Zambia who remember that day, so I find it both interesting and gratifying to observe our modern young people in 2022, compared with those of 1964, who are now seen as part of ancient history for many!

The pupils at Limapela Cedric’s filled the morning with speeches, songs, drama, poems and dancing. Our staff organised the morning very professionally, and the activities were well under control, which is not always easy for an outdoor event. I was especially happy with the school choir, who sang their items so confidently under the direction of a fellow pupil rather than a staff member. That was symbolic, in a general sense, of independence in 2022. The Kafakumba Singers also travelled from Kafakumba to join the celebrations and this was their last performance for the year.

We are very grateful to those of you who responded so generously to last month’s appeal for increased funding for running costs. We are humbled that you are giving despite the economic uncertainties that are being felt worldwide at the moment. Rest assured that our Limapela children and young people are blessed as a result.

I will be joining Alison in New Zealand on 16 November. We look forward to catching up with many of you during our time there.

— Matthew and Alison Raymond

MY FIRST SIX MONTHS HERE AT LIMAPELA have gone by so quickly; it is hard to believe I have been here for half a year now. My role in the schools has mostly been in introducing PE and encouraging the teaching of literacy. I have absolutely loved seeing the joy that such a simple 30 minute lesson outside can bring to a classroom of children. I have also noticed that it is not just the students who have been loving these PE lessons, but a lot of the teachers join in and become just as competitive and excited, if not more so, than the children.

A highlight these past few months has been working alongside another organisation called Beyond Ourselves Zambia to train teachers in the Jolly Phonics programme of literacy learning. After training our own Limapela and Luyando teachers, I have been encouraged to see them implementing these fun and engaging practices into their own classrooms.

Thankfully, the Kafakumba Singers accepted me as a part of their family from the start, and I have really enjoyed getting to know these young people and others around the community through the different outings and events. I loved running a holiday program with lots of children in the Kafakumba community during the last school holidays, and have been asked by many children and parents to do so again in the quickly approaching Christmas holidays. This is something I have to look forward to over the break.

— Kirsty Lickfold