August 2023

Thanks to quite a number of people who responded with extra donations in response to last month’s appeal for various Limapela needs.

Of particular note is a large donation from New Zealand to cover the cost of re-roofing both classroom blocks at Luyando Community School. We have a window of one month in which to get this project completed — during the August school holidays while classrooms are empty. As I write, I am encouraged to report that the contractor’s team expects to finish the work next week.

The fencing project at Limapela Cedric’s (mentioned last month) has now been completed by Active Agencies Ltd. This will improve security enormously and reduce the monthly cost of security personnel.

Alison is now back in Zambia. I am glad of her support again after her two-month absence in New Zealand for the death and funeral of her father. We are now under extra pressure from the demands of building and infrastructure projects.

We plan to take a break and go camping at Mutinondo in September. No‚ we are not too old to camp!

With thanks and warm greetings to you all.

—Matthew and Alison Raymond

THIS TERM AT LIMAPELA WE HOSTED A SCHOOL group from St Paul’s School, London Most of them had never been in Africa before. The visit was organised by the British charity Beyond Ourselves.

It was awesome seeing the 18 students from St Paul’s come and get stuck in with our students at Limapela. They were able to support the teaching and learning by introducing some new maths and literacy games. For some boys, the time at Limapela was a real highlight. Part of their experience included walking with the kids home from school to their accommodation and eating nshima (Zambians staple food) each day with the staff.

— Kirsty Lickfold