In 2024, we delivered our teacher training programme in TTCSZ’s ‘new’
Library/Resource Centre (RC) in Lusaka. All volunteer trainers were from Zambia
and did a great job sharing their knowledge and experience with our latest
enthusiastic group of community school teachers. The teachers gave up almost all
their school holidays to focus on the teaching of English, Maths and ICT.
Our RC is basically a 3-bedroom home that is conveniently located for community
school teachers in the south of Lusaka. The big room accommodates the training
while the bedrooms are being repurposed into a computer room, library and a
playroom for young children. Having our own ‘home’ is fantastic as it enables us to
increase the services we can provide community schools.
The establishment of our library has been supported by volunteer library students
from University of Zambia. Our playroom is now a bright learning space for young
children.
We are delighted that Camara Education UK Ltd is partnering with us and will instal
computers in our RC. Working with their partners, they recycle donated computers
for educational purposes in Zambia, Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania. Although ICT is
part of the curriculum in Zambia, community schools do not have computers. We
intend to fill some of that gap by providing weekend workshops.
Computers need a reliable source of electricity and in Zambia that means
hydroelectric power. But 2024 was a drought. ‘Load shedding’ started in March i.e.
many hours in the day with no power. People told us they were without electricity for
days, and then it might only return for a few hours. To make things worse, the
shortage of electricity leads to water shortages. Most water in Lusaka is groundwater
that requires electricity to pump it into tanks. This situation is incredibly challenging
for everyone.
To secure our future supply of water and electricity in the RC we are fundraising to
instal solar panels. They will give us a reliable and sustainable supply of power. That
will enable us to confidently plan events and training programmes for teachers.
Please visit our Donate Page if you can support us.
