- 32
Orphans in the Chibobo area are already being accommodated (sleeping
in dormitories, eating simple local meals, provided with simple clothing,
basic health and hygiene) at the proposed ‘Centre’ during
weekdays.
- On weekends, and
during school holidays, the orphans remain ‘at home’ with
their extended family (grandmother, aunt, etc) – this is to avoid
breaking the ‘link’ with family and therefore preventing
them being ‘institutionalized’ forever.
- All the children
are either Preschoolers or Grade 1 and Grade 2 and attend our community
school (already established at the Centre). Next year, we will have
to offer a Grade 3 class since there is no room for our children at
the local state school (staffing constraints).
- It is intended
that these orphans will attend the Centre for no more than 2 years -
i.e. until about age 9 when they are judged 'big enough' to return full-time
to their 'carers' and assist them in food production as well as attending
school.
- Extensive consultation
with the local community was conducted prior to establishment –
it was important that they knew that this project would not disadvantage
their own biological children and that in fact, it means that they can
now give better care to their own children since there are less demands
on limited resources at home during the week. A careful survey of orphans
in the area was also made to minimize any possible abuse of the project.
- There is an emphasis
on literacy (in English) and numeracy through extra classes, and resources
(e.g. a library of books) will be organized for the orphans during their
‘free time’ during weekdays. Thus they can ‘catch
up’ on time 'lost' due to their misfortune.
- Orphans are allocated
specially chosen ‘chores’ to do whilst living at the Centre
to develop responsibility, initiative and diligence. They carry these
out happily and well.
- The project donations
fund has been managed initially by Mr Kevin Gilbert (whose 'contract'
in Zambia is until the end of 2004), but since the project is running
smoothly already, arrangements have been made to hand over responsibilities
to the reliable members of the local PTA who have 'proven themselves'
(through hard work, initiative and honesty) over the past 5 months from
the inception of the idea to its fruition in the opening of the dormitory
building on 13 October 2003.
- 'Self-sustainability'
of this project is a long-term goal for the future, and therefore it
has been essential to get reliable locals into positions of responsibility
as soon as possible. Considerable land has been provided recently by
HMP for the exclusive use of the Orphan Project - by late November,
this land will hopefully be cultivated and maize, soya beans and groundnuts
planted ready to be harvested next year - this is the start of eventual
'self-sustainability' for the project.
- The progress
of each orphan (and his/her extended family) is reviewed regularly.
- The ‘sponsors’
are kept informed of progress through regular general email 'letters'
from Kevin Gilbert. 'Letters' from orphans are also sent out to the
sponsors by email
|
