Question for Zambian sponsors Cancel Title is required

Has anyone found out any details on the following:

1. School for Zambian CI children - who runs it, how long is the school year, how many days a week, how many hours?

2. Water - Is anyone aware of any programs CI is working to improve the water in the community? Does anyone know how many public faucets there are and what kind of limit there is when things go dry? Is there water within walking distance of these people?

3. Sports programs, or any organized programs for children. I see on the CI site that there is someone on their board who started up soccer, but I believe it was in South America only. Does anyone have any information on whether they are looking to do this in Zambia? Do you know any details?

4. Youth Program - how many of you have sponsored children that are now of the "youth Program" age? On the CI site is seems that these kids no longer get the annual exams? Is this something you can request/pay for? Also, it seems like many of the teenage kids may no longer be in school. Do any of you have teenage kids that were able to stay in school?

Thanks,

Wendy

jawspope,

I've posted some basic info about the Zambian education below:

If a child somehow enters into school at the appropriate age and stays engaged throughout, they can graduate high school around 17/18, as in the US. The Zambian school “system” lacks any sense of central organization. The government does not play much of a role at all in the education of its youngest citizens. There are no organized school districts or systems. Each community is left to produce its own “community school”, and must make do with the resources they can provide amongst themselves. Teacher/student ratios are terrible, and teachers are often volunteers who are not certified in any way. Students of all ages are often together in the same classroom, with very little by way of resources. Families are often urged to pay dues to participate in community schools so the school can piece together a salary for a teacher and supplies.

There are some private schools, but most of our children have no chance of attending those facilities. Children International has been very active in propping up some of the community schools and trying to provide them with the materials and resources necessary to give children at least a basic education.

Children International-Zambia operates in the Kanyama and Chibolya Compounds, the most poorest areas of the Capital City -Lusaka. The two Service Area Centers (SACs) are offering services to about 13,000 children. The Service Area Centers are located deep inside the two compounds therefore making them easily accessible to all the sponsor children and their families.

Each SAC is broken down into zones of about 2000 children, and each zone has sectors of 200 children. No child walks more than 30 minutes to reach their SAC.

In addition to the 22 community schools, there are four public schools in our operational area. These are not enough to cater to all of our eligible school- going children. The majority of our sponsored children go to community schools (approximately 70%). We assist both cimmunity and public schools with learning and teaching materials for children and teachers respectively. We have also provided chairs, desks and done general repairs to the buildings that house the 22 community schools. Of the total number of sponsored children who are eligible to be in school, 18% are currently not attending school. Some of these are Youth who are the head of the household and must work.

Water is available at central places through the compound. These are mostly communal taps. The water must be carried in containers. The distances to the furthest home is about 200 meters. It is paid for in cents per 20 litre container.

Similar to the U.S., Children (2-11) are required to have an annual physical. Youth (12+), are not required to have a physical each year, but always have access to the health and dental care if needed. Teenagers just don't get sick as often as children do, and most childhood illnesses have been diagnosed by the time the children become teenagers.

I almost forgot, school starts in January in Zambia and consists of three terms with the "vacation" months being April, August and December.

The Game On! Youth Sports program, was developed by our organizational partner, the International Alliance for Youth Sports (IAYS), to empower community members, including youth, to take a leadership role and help build a positive, safe and child-friendly environment. By the end of last year, 619 children and youth had joined sports programs in three countries. A new partnership with IAYS will allow us to implement similar programs in many of the countries where Children International works. I’m not sure when Zambia will be included, but our goal is to include in each area we work in.

I think I hit on each topic, if I missed one - let me know!

Debbie

That was a lot of really good information!!! Thanks for taking the time to tell us all of that!

Hello Debbie,

Thank you so much for all the information. It is very helpful.

I was thinking about sending my sponsored child a package and part of it would include work books. But, I am wondering how much english he can speak or understand. I assume their math would be in english #'s, but not even sure about that.

I have read a bit about the country and their schooling and figured that these kids were not getting too much of an education once they reach teenage years. I was hoping to help my sponsored child in this way.

Wendy

Hi! There are many languages/dialects spoken n Zambia, but like the Philippines, English is the common unifier. The children begin learning it in school, and many of the older children and adults write their letters to the sponsors in English. Numbers are definately in English.

Debbie, I totally appreciate your time in responding to our blogs! You are soo on my Christmas list!

I received my report of needs for both of my children. I noticed on both of them it states Mealie meals. What exactly is a Mealie meal?

Thanks!

I got this from wikipedia:

In South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, and many other parts of sub-Saharan Africa, a relatively coarse flour (much coarser than cornflour or cornstarch) made from maize (mielies or mealies; from Portuguese "milho"[1]). It is a staple food traditionally made into many forms of dishes, such as Umngqusho, sour-milk porridge, pap, or even Umqombothi (a type of beer). Compare "samp" and "sadza."

It is similar to Italian polenta or American grits except that it is usually made of a white rather than a yellow maize variety.

Thanks Neuilly! Looks like wikipedia is where a lot of people go to for information.