Sumbi Handover ceremony

Sumbi is a smaller community with some 450 pupils.  The finalisation of this 3-classroom building and a teacher office is a great step forward for them.

It was nice to sit in the shadow of some big trees.  The weather perfect: 23-25°C, no rain and no humidity.  For them a fresh winter, for us a perfect summer.

It started immediately with a group of dancers and musicinas, always very nice to see. After having heard several speeches, it was my time to announce that we have the money ready to start the renovation of a second building with 4 classrooms.  When we visited this village for the first time,we noted that this building needed urgent attention.  The villagers removed already the roof.  We will take down the walls partly, make bigger windows and put lintels above windows and doors.  We will make a ringbeam, in which we will place anchors to attach the roof.  The timber is completely rotten and will be replaced. Then the roof gets back on the building, a new floor layer, plastering, painting and done!!!

For 2019, we plan a new building with the last classroom and a decent staff room for the teachers. That will make this school complete.

After these annoucements, pupils sung for us self-composed songs in which they thanked us very much and prayed to God to give us time enough to complete our plans for the area.  Ican't disagree with that. Then a new group of dancers appeared on the scene and they were familiar faces.  We met them already in Kasanga some 5-6 weeks ago.  These 2 neighboring villages belong to the same ward.  One of the dancers was a quite young guy, but the way he danced was absolutely top.  Great to see how traditions are passed over to the next generation. 

The villagers gave us a few chickens as a present and then it was time to Louisa, my lovely wife, to open this building.  Again Whole Food Markets (USA) was our partner for this project. Thanks a lot for your generous support.  You make a difference here!


Fons Maex