Kasama and Katibunga schools.

We visited quite a number of schools while we were in Zambia. We also visited a teachers college. We saw children of all ages and living conditions of all sorts.

We would usually get to meet with the principal of the school, walk around the school and see how it functioned. Some of them were boarding schools, and others were simply day schools. We would discuss the needs of the school and see where our charity could step in to help. Then we would often meet with the specific students who our charity sponsored. We would let them know that the charity and their sponsors cared about them and encourage them to build a relationship with their sponsors. We would get paperwork finished and pictures taken. We would also talk about ourselves for a little bit and what we were studying. We would let them ask us questions.

Sometimes the students were extremely shy. Sometimes they could barely speak any English. Sometimes it was a little awkward. But most of the time, it was incredibly rewarding.

Kasama Boys School was the first school that I got to visit. The students that our charity, Zambia's Scholarship Fund, sponsors have overcome a huge amount of hardship in order to be there. Quite a number of them have lost one or both parents. Some of them struggle with health problems. Pedro, a student from Kasama Boys school, has a heart condition of some sort. We don't know what it is exactly--I don't know if we ever will, due to the cost of medical care there. He is a bright boy though and devoted to his studies. He wants to be a doctor. I think about him occasionally and wish him the best. 

The students at Kasama Boys School.

Another school that we visited was in Katibunga. The Katibunga High School and Primary School was way out in the bush. We spent the night there in one of their classrooms. They ended up fixing us quite the meal of native dishes later that night.

When we got there, there was a soccer game going on. They had a real soccer ball for the game, but most of the little kids use balls that they've hand-made out of plastic bags.

The high school building.

soccer game.

talking to the students the charity sponsors.

five of the students the charity sponsors.

When we talk to the students, we ask them what they want to be. A lot of them want to be doctors. Some of them want to be engineers, others accountants, and still others teachers. Some want to be writers, journalists, nurses.

We encourage them to shoot for their dreams. To work hard, to never give up. To take full advantage of the opportunity that the charity is giving them to finish high school.

Sometimes sponsors will continue to help their students, even after high school is finished, although there is no obligation. Not all do, though. We know full well that not all of them have the physical resources available to fulfill their dreams. It's sad. Still, we encourage them, because what else is there to do? Sometimes if one works and dreams hard enough, miracles happen. 

The little kids at Katibunga were quite shy. But they do love getting their picture taken. You take the picture, and immediately, they clamor around you and try to see it on the little digital screen. You show it to them, and they all shout and laugh.

five little girls who were watching the soccer game.

Sam and I with two children that followed us around for a little bit.

We left Katibunga the following morning. The road back was extremely bumpy. Nick and Jeff, who sat in the makeshift seats in the very back got the worst of it.  

We passed lots of little charcoal stands by the side of the road. It's the primary way of making a living for many of these people who live out in the bush. 

Every time we passed people by the side of the road, we would always wave, and they would always wave back. Zambians are some of the friendliest people I have ever met. 

The road back home from Katibunga.