Fwd: Sherri reporting from Zambia

This post has been "sending" for 3 days so I deleted 1 picture and am trying again.  You may get this twice!

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: skirkpatrick@healthedconnect.org
Date: Jan 16, 2015 9:31 PM
Subject: Sherri reporting from Zambia
To: <Healthedconnect.goodtogo5@blogger.com>
Cc:

We drove down to Zamtan today to be sure everything was in readiness for the ribbon cutting tomorrow.  As we suspected, there's  still a LOT of work to finish on the classrooms.  Windows and doors were installed today but the ceiling needs to be completed, the building painted inside and out and final finish work done.  But it's already in use!  This cute group of kids was enjoying the convenience of the covered portico to eat the nutritious porridge lunch prepared by the Kafwa.

We were reminded again, however, of how desperately the classrooms are needed.  The 2nd grade class met in the temporary shelter today while I had a meeting with the Kafwa under the tree.  A rainstorm blew in suddenly with little warning and everyone in the meeting under the tree scattered.   As the rain came down in torrents, we ran for our car and looked around just in time to see the kids in the temporary classroom burst out the door and head for shelter in the church.  Hopefully this will be the last time they'll get soaking wet in a school classroom!

We also saw the cement foundation for the toilets.  The government inspector told them they could not use the new school classrooms until more toilets were installed.  This little shanty community raised an amazing 2700 Kwacha or $450 which paid for the cement foundation.  Fortunately, one of our HealthEd Connect donors came to the rescue with the funds needed to complete the job.   Now for the celebration and ribbon cutting tomorrow!  Stay tuned...