The final few days involved one last morning of training. Together we discovered that during the year 2009 over ten million kawacha had been paid by parents towards the education of their chilren in Little Angels Community School. In addition to this, details of how this money had been used had been identified for the first time ever. By adding this information to that already collected for money received from donors the whole cost of running the entire school for 2009 could now be put together.
A small acheivment, maybe, but a large step forward in understanding the past ready for planning for the future.
My final working day was spent discussing the progress made over my time in Nodla with Mr Mwelwa, headteacher, and how to use this new information to better inform the Parents Committee and understand the very minimum amount required for the school to operate on a day to day basis. Completing all the review forms together to ensure that it was a joint opinion and talking through objectives for new volunteers was the final act.
My very last day included a visit to the local airport to check upon details with them, a visit to the internet cafe to check international flight details and that no changes had occurred with a visit to the hairdressers. Following this I joined the other teachers cooking for a farewell party which kicked off at 14 hours. That was a real feast and absolutely delicious. We danced and had a really good time, they appeared to have really appreciated my working with them and I have most certainly enjoyed sharing with them.
The final day ended with my return to the Guesthouse and the news that there would be no electricity or water between then and my departure in the morning! Typical life in Africa!
Saturday, 28 August 2010
Monday, 23 August 2010
End of Week Two
Written
This week has seen busy mornings with further training on Excel. I am trying to get them to put together the Petty Cash Book for 2009, not only for practice, but so I have a complete twelve months of entries to demonstrate the benefit of having this information.
All of them have improved in speed with using the keyboard. This morning Head Teacher Mwelwa had a go and it was really pleasing to see them teaching him and being able to explain the whys and wherefores. They have learnt well and I feel confident that they will continue with what they have learnt even after I have left.
They had some good news yesterday when a message arrived to say the Government had paid them some funds for Term 1 (January to March). How they survive is quite amazing as they have no credit available nor could they obtain a bank loan but still they are managing. Hopefully future volunteers can lead them to obtaining further and more reliable funding for their long term financial security.
With only a week to go I am drawing my work with them to a close and ensure that I have empowered them with their first step towards cash accounting. The progress may not have been as much as they wanted before I arrived but they appear to have enjoyed mastering something new and they have become firm friends with me.
Tuesday, 17 August 2010
Written Monday 16 August 2010
I went shopping Zambian style on Saturday at Masala Market. Tightly packed stalls selling everything you could think of, mostly second hand. Lots of fresh fruit, beans, rice and dried fish (as long as you don’t mind the flies!), There was very little room between the stalls, I would not like to be there if it is crowded as it was difficult to find room to pass one other person let alone if there had been many more.
The market is located in the compound of Masala and is the largest market in Ndola. I spent several hours there browsing and enjoying the sights and smells. I am certain if I had not been with Mwelwa and Abigail I would be wandering round, still, entirely lost, trying to find my way out!
I also visited the smaller market in Mushili Compound as well and discovered it is only at the far end of the road I am staying in. Unfortunately this market does not have any fresh fruit to have me scampering back there for supplies.
The people of Ndola are predominantly Christian and hold a very strong faith. Almost the first question you are asked is what church do you attend. So Sunday’s are the day to attend Church and they can be found along every street. In town there is a Catholic Cathedral but in general the buildings can be any size, any state of repair and even made of wood. There are so many denominations it makes your head spin.
So I decided to attend the United Church of Zambia in Lubuto Compound. There was an impressive array of Girls Brigade members and the service was dedicated to enrolling new Lieutenants, there must have been about twenty young ladies moving into this position. After two hours I crept out but the service was still going on, the sermon had not even started! The best part of the service was the use of music, singing and dancing which was to a really high standard. I should have stayed as I returned to my accommodation to prepare for work for the week and found out there was a power cut and I could not use my laptop.
All part of the life and culture of an African country!
I went shopping Zambian style on Saturday at Masala Market. Tightly packed stalls selling everything you could think of, mostly second hand. Lots of fresh fruit, beans, rice and dried fish (as long as you don’t mind the flies!), There was very little room between the stalls, I would not like to be there if it is crowded as it was difficult to find room to pass one other person let alone if there had been many more.
The market is located in the compound of Masala and is the largest market in Ndola. I spent several hours there browsing and enjoying the sights and smells. I am certain if I had not been with Mwelwa and Abigail I would be wandering round, still, entirely lost, trying to find my way out!
I also visited the smaller market in Mushili Compound as well and discovered it is only at the far end of the road I am staying in. Unfortunately this market does not have any fresh fruit to have me scampering back there for supplies.
The people of Ndola are predominantly Christian and hold a very strong faith. Almost the first question you are asked is what church do you attend. So Sunday’s are the day to attend Church and they can be found along every street. In town there is a Catholic Cathedral but in general the buildings can be any size, any state of repair and even made of wood. There are so many denominations it makes your head spin.
So I decided to attend the United Church of Zambia in Lubuto Compound. There was an impressive array of Girls Brigade members and the service was dedicated to enrolling new Lieutenants, there must have been about twenty young ladies moving into this position. After two hours I crept out but the service was still going on, the sermon had not even started! The best part of the service was the use of music, singing and dancing which was to a really high standard. I should have stayed as I returned to my accommodation to prepare for work for the week and found out there was a power cut and I could not use my laptop.
All part of the life and culture of an African country!
Friday, 13 August 2010
First week over!
It is now over a week since I arrived. The weather has been colder for a couple of days but is warm to day.
I am busy training three of the teachers in petty cash, so far this has taken two mornings with a third planned for Monday. Teaching people who know nothing about accounts is a slow process.
I have just watched the Little Angels Football team win a match before coming into town.
I wil have to spend the weekend planning the activities for next week and working out how far I can go to establishing the very basics of what is needed. Working in an unfamiliar set up is making the old cogs grind into action to think of the best way to approach things.
Tonight I have asked for some beans! I am sure they are a staple of the diet here but have not tried them.
I am busy training three of the teachers in petty cash, so far this has taken two mornings with a third planned for Monday. Teaching people who know nothing about accounts is a slow process.
I have just watched the Little Angels Football team win a match before coming into town.
I wil have to spend the weekend planning the activities for next week and working out how far I can go to establishing the very basics of what is needed. Working in an unfamiliar set up is making the old cogs grind into action to think of the best way to approach things.
Tonight I have asked for some beans! I am sure they are a staple of the diet here but have not tried them.
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