Mfuwe Secondary School Opening

Sept 5, Mfuwe
Today we attended the opening of Mfuwe Day Secondary School.  We helped the leaders of Project Luangwa - Karen and Dave - set up for the opening ceremony.  Project Luangwa is an organization of local safari hotels that donate proceeds to local projects in the village of Mfuwe.  This particular project was to build a much-needed secondary school (the students were continuing to attend the over-crowded primary school classrooms.)  It was a hot day and a dust storm coated our bodies with dirt.  To top it off - we had nowhere to privately eat our sack lunches with all of the neighbor kids swarming about us - so most of our group ate in front of them - a big no-no in Zambian culture.)  I waited and ate mine behind a tree unseen, it was just too awkward to eat in front of very hungry kids who usually go without lunch.
Today was a hard day on everyone physically with the heat and dust (90s here), but the celebration went without a hitch and the Zambian minister of education was in attendance.  It was a great success for Project Luangwa.  We were able to speak to many students who were also in attendance in their crisp new uniforms about their excitement to finally have their own separate school.  Out of 600 students about 100 are girls so there is a huge push here to get more girls into school to avoid early marriage and pregnancy.

Sept. 6 Mfuwe
Today we visited three schools around Mfuwe.  First was a preschool sponsored by Project Luangwa, where 3-4 year olds were learning to count in English.  They then serenaded us with song, "How R U today? FINE!" and shared their lunch! (Which we traded them cake from our packed lunches.)
Next was an orphange which acts as a day care/school for 3-7 year olds.  They were learning mathematics when we visited.  Both of these schools are sponsored by Project Luangwa - a collaboration of  Safari camps from the area and guest donations.
Finally, we visited a very rural school with no school teachers and over 600 students.  There were many nice building in rough condition - paint needed- but overall good infrastructure.  Our guide, Karen, explained how teachers will not come work for schools unless they are provided housing, and it is difficult to raise money from donors for teachers - most people only want to donate money for kids.  Another interesting perspective in the world of international donors for education.