HOME UPDATE:
BIRTHDAYS- In June, our calendar was bustling with significant birthdays for our children. First, Dorothy marked her seventeenth birthday on the 4th of June 2024. Following Dorothy, Nelia celebrated her fourteenth birthday on the 24th of the same month, with Linto turning eighteen just a day later on the 25th of June 2024. These noteworthy occasions were honored with delightful festivities, creating cherished memories for our beloved children.
DOROTHY – 17 YEARS NELIA – 14 YEARS
LINTO – 18 YEARS
KWATHU HOME
June was a calm and pleasant month for everyone at home, especially for the children. They were occupied with their schoolwork, and even the university students got involved. Some of the children faced minor health issues like headaches and the flu, but we took care of them right away. The cold weather limited our outdoor activities in June, so the children spent most of their free time indoors. During weekends, they relished their moments at the library with a kind volunteer who helped them with reading, writing, and drawing. They also enjoyed leisurely strolls with the housemothers. We were thrilled to see our boys from the Kwathu home connecting with Grace Ministries and enthusiastically joining the Boys’ Brigade group. We are thrilled and overjoyed to witness our beloved children embarking on this important journey toward their spiritual development.
KWATHU SCHOOL
In June, the lessons at Kwathu School went smoothly both in the morning and afternoon, and various activities were carried out by the students. However, on the 10th of June, the school, along with the rest of Livingstone, faced a water shortage. As a result, the children had to be sent back home early because there was no water available at the school. Following the water shortage incident, Kwathu School had a mid-term break from the 17th to the 21st for students from pre-school to grade 6, while grade 7 lessons continued as scheduled. Despite the break, the school made sure to continue its feeding program, providing free lunch for all its pupils. It’s heartwarming to see Kwathu’s commitment to ensuring that all students are cared for and nourished
during their time at the school.
SCHOOL SPORTS ACTIVITIES- The school embarked on organizing sports activities to promote fitness and exercise among students.
SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAM- Kwathu provides free lunch for all its pupils from Monday to Friday. We are committed to ensuring that all students are cared for and nourished during their time at the school.
COMMUNITY FEEDING PROGRAM – In the month of June, the community feeding program continued to make significant progress. We successfully enhanced our community initiative by providing nourishing meals to 25 households, benefiting a total of 100 individuals. These households are facing financial difficulties, struggling to afford three square meals a day. This compassionate effort takes place every Friday at midday. Our goal is to expand the program to serve 50 households, reaching 200 individuals once we secure the necessary funding. Currently, we are actively seeking financial support to strengthen and expand the feeding program.
PERIOD POVERTY COMPAIGN – During the month of June, our organization continued its efforts to distribute sanitary pads in order to combat period poverty within our community.
CLINIC PROJECT – We, at the clinic, are currently seeking additional funding to complete the final stages of construction for the three consultation rooms being developed. Progress has been made up to the roof level, and the remaining tasks include installing window frames, electrical wiring, windowpanes, door frames, doors, as well as conducting plastering and painting throughout the building.
STAFF TRAINING – In June, an exciting event took place at Kwathu as the management and the entire team came together for a staff training workshop. This workshop, spanning three days, was meticulously organized to cover essential topics such as achieving daily targets, time management, leadership skills, and more. All employees of Kwathu were actively involved in this training to equip them with the necessary skills for success in their roles.
VOLUNTEER PROGRAM – On June 1, 2024, our organization welcomed a volunteer named Giorgia Seckler from Germany. Giorgia will be contributing her time and expertise with us for a duration of one month.
KWATHU FARM – In July, we commenced the harvest of fresh maize and tomatoes and introduced a new batch of broiler chicks to our operations.
KWATHU SCHOOL PROJECT – In June, our organization began the installation of fencing around the school premises as part of our efforts to boost security, focusing primarily on the front section of the school.
CHALLENGES:
EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING
In Zambia, global warming has taken a toll on us, causing severe drought and affecting food security. This has led to higher food prices and scarcity, making it challenging for Kwathu to access basic necessities. Furthermore, the water shortage has prompted extended power outages as our country heavily relies on hydroelectric power. These outages have disrupted our daily routines and productivity, making it difficult to reach our goals. To address these challenges, we are looking to invest in off-grid solar systems, water pumps for borehole revival, and solar lights for enhanced security at night. These solutions will not only help us become more self-sufficient but also ensure that Kwathu has reliable access to water and electricity, mitigating the impacts of global warming on our daily lives.
CHILDREN’S PLAY PARK
Our Children’s play park is currently not in good condition, which is why we have decided not to allow children to play on it for safety reasons. It is important to prioritize the well-being of our children by ensuring that they have a safe and enjoyable play area. Considering the longevity of the current play park and its frequent use by both the children at the Kwathu home and pupils from Kwathu School, it is clear that a new play park is needed. Outdoor play is essential for a child’s holistic development, as it fosters physical, social, and cognitive growth. Engaging in play activities not only offers entertainment but also facilitates important developmental milestones. Playground equipment plays a crucial role in creating an environment that supports these developmental aspects effectively. It is important to invest in a new play park to provide our children with a space where they can thrive and enjoy their playtime safely.
KWATHU CLINIC
Kwathu Clinic is working on an important project to expand its facilities, as advised by the Health Professionals Council of Zambia. We have already started constructing three new consultation rooms using limited funds available to us. The building has been completed up to roof level, but we still require additional funds to finish the remaining construction tasks. These include putting up the roof, wiring, installing door frames and window frames, doors and windowpanes, plastering, flooring, and painting the building. The main goal of this clinic project is to improve access to healthcare for the community, especially since the nearest clinic is 5 km away from Kwathu. Your support in helping us complete this project would make a significant difference in providing essential healthcare services to those in need.
KWATHU NEEDS LIST:
KWATHU HOME
- New children’s play park
- Off grid Solar system (This has been funded)
- Assorted Clothes and Shoes for Boys aged 6-18 Years
- Assorted Clothes and Shoes for Girls aged 6- 18 Years
- Bathing towels / Face towels
- Pencils, crayons, sharpeners, calculators, pens etc.
KWATHU FARM
- 2-ton trailer (1)
- Off road Van 4-wheel drive (1)
- Moto Bike (1)
- Bicycles (3)
KWATHU SCHOOL
- Internet router (1)
- Laptops (5)
- School Bus
- Classroom bookshelves (7)
- Chairs for the computer room (5)
- Staffroom table (1)
- Staffroom Chairs (10)
- Classroom tables for teachers (10)
- Classroom Chairs for teachers (10)
- Dictionaries
- Assorted coloring books
- Pencils, crayons, sharpeners, calculators, pens, etc.
KWATHU CLINIC (THREE CONSULTATION ROOMS) FUNDS NEEDED FOR:
- Electrical installation
- Doors and window frames
- Windowpanes and doors
- Plastering and painting
Contact us at kwathuoffice@gmail.com
