Creative Girls!

Not to be outdone by the boys, these little girls took tree leaves and rubbed them in a circle on the concrete until it turned green.  They then placed rocks in the middle.  The objective of the game is to throw a rock up, move the correct number of rocks out of the middle, and catch the rock before it hits the ground.  I think we call it jacks and have the luxury of a rubber ball that bounces.  You might notice the little girl's super thin arms -- suggests to me the family barely has money for food much less for luxuries such as purchased toys.

Creative Boys!

 

These creative boys are intent in hitting the little line of rocks with a bottle cap. Takes skill!   I'm sure they'd love to have marbles but they are improvising just great with things that are free!

The HealthEd Connect Board met last weekend and had a great time celebrating HealthEd Connect's 5th birthday and accomplishments.  Based on our health worker and school reports, over 40,000 lives were directly impacted last year alone.  Wow!  We've come a long way since being inspired by Little Boss Mirriam.  Now we're busy making plans for the future.

The head cheerleader (and head teacher!) is Mr. Milimo in the center.

Teacher's day in Zambia is a really big event with parades and gatherings in every town.  Don't our Chipulukusu teachers look sharp?  One of their first requests was a small budget to purchase shirts alike to wear in the parade.

Gershom, Gershom, and Gershom

Meet Gershom I, Gershom II, and Gershom III.  You can just see how proud our HealthEd Connect Zambian Representative, Gershom Chifumbe is of his two namesakes -- his son and grandson.

You've got to be Kidding!

See this unimpressive hole??  Well, the government of Zambia has decided it's uber important!  This is the new septic tank hole dug by members of the Zamtan community.  It seems they have been told they may not receive an occupancy permit for the new classrooms unless they have a new ablution block (bathrooms) at a cost of $12,000 ready for use.  What??  There are currently nice clean pit toilets in place that are being used by the school children but those are deemed no longer sufficient.  We are urging the community to pull out all stops to do their part to raise funds -- contact local businesses, Rotary Clubs, the PTA, etc.  We will look forward to seeing what they can do.  Knowing this group, they will successfully meet the challenge.

Ebola

Should I be worried?

The whole world has a common enemy -- Ebola.  Everyone is carrying the concern and worry on their heart.  Our friends in Africa tell us no one is even shaking hands now.  HealthEd Connect is being proactive  by planning a training in Zambia in January with the topic:  Spread the Word Not the Disease:  Ebola Facts and Fiction.  Sinkhani from Malawi, Wasaidizi from the DRC will join the Kafwa in Zambia for a 4 day training.  We are also inviting partner colleagues from USAID, UNICEF, Time to Learn, CHAZ, and the Zambian Ministry of Health to join us.  This training is not in our budget -- who knew the need would exist a year ago?  If you can help fund the training, your donation would be greatly appreciated.  Just click on Donate Now and help us Spread the Word.  

Talk of the Village!

Have you heard??

Every cement block brings classrooms closer to realization in Zamtan.  The last of many delays was a shortage of cement blocks themselves.  It looks like we're over that hurdle now and on our way.  We're planning on a December completion date with a ribbon cutting in January.  It's the talk of the village with the kids!

Jewelry sale

Julie Heide and her husband, Morris, spent their Saturday telling the HealthEd Connect story and selling paper-bead jewelry at the Raytown crafts festival on September 27.  What a team!  They were so successful, Julie is getting ready to do a similar booth at the Sermon Center Arts and Crafts Festival in Independence later this month.   Every bead sold brings life-changing income to the incredible artisan women in Zambia!

Door County Century

Michelle, Paul and Bella setting up DCC booth

 Michelle Mahlik and crew pulled off another great success at the Door County Century (bike ride) in Wisconsin.  In addition to the jewelry sales, ice cream was a big hit at the HealthEd Connect booth.  Many thanks to the whole DCC team!!

Sharon Resch choosing a necklace

Dick Resch's got the right idea -- sampling ice cream!

Toni Frisoni our hero for donating the yummy ice cream!!