These connections have increased our capacity to see the things on our hearts happening within our partner schools and communities.
A couple of weeks ago we had Marci come in to all our schools from Christian World Outreach. Marci has been in Zambia for approaching 14 years and has been working in the area of Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS for most of that time. After meeting with the directors of each school, Marci held some introductory sessions with different grade groups and will be following this up with additional time in the older grades within each school. The area of Sexual Health is a bit of a mine field here and so we really value having Marci’s wealth of experience leading us through this within our school communities, with the full backing of the directors and church leaders from each school.
Last week, we ran two Grade 7 days at a local shelter and ponds, one day for the boys from all three school and one day for the girls. The students learnt more about their identity in Jesus, their value and the value of others and God’s love for them. Kahimbi, a friend of Melissa’s, come up from Lusaka to help lead sessions for the girls’ day and a trio of guys from a local organisation called Isubilo lead the boys’ day. These were really fun but focused days and were massively appreciated by both the pupils and the staff that attended. It was the first year we’ve done this and it’s definitely something we’ll put together again.
This week, we had Oscar Mwila, from Operation Mobilisation, following up on some business training that he’s been doing with a group formally involved in a sewing project that was based in Kawama School. Unfortunately, the project was no longer viable, and Kawama Krafts was closed but the members of the group have been keen to develop their business acumen and have paid to take part in a short business course run by Oscar. Once their plans have been refined, they will receive a small loan from Beyond Ourselves to get their business started. Oscar is committed to the group and will continue to monitor and support them over the next 18 months. Something that I am so so thankful for, as I love seeing them being trained up and empowered, but don’t have the time or the expertise that the relationship with Oscar brings.
A couple of weeks ago we had Marci come in to all our schools from Christian World Outreach. Marci has been in Zambia for approaching 14 years and has been working in the area of Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS for most of that time. After meeting with the directors of each school, Marci held some introductory sessions with different grade groups and will be following this up with additional time in the older grades within each school. The area of Sexual Health is a bit of a mine field here and so we really value having Marci’s wealth of experience leading us through this within our school communities, with the full backing of the directors and church leaders from each school.
Last week, we ran two Grade 7 days at a local shelter and ponds, one day for the boys from all three school and one day for the girls. The students learnt more about their identity in Jesus, their value and the value of others and God’s love for them. Kahimbi, a friend of Melissa’s, come up from Lusaka to help lead sessions for the girls’ day and a trio of guys from a local organisation called Isubilo lead the boys’ day. These were really fun but focused days and were massively appreciated by both the pupils and the staff that attended. It was the first year we’ve done this and it’s definitely something we’ll put together again.
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| Marci leading a Sexual Health session with Pastor Cephas translating |
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| Chris and Sylvester performing a Prodigal son sketch at the Grade 7 boy's day |
This week, we had Oscar Mwila, from Operation Mobilisation, following up on some business training that he’s been doing with a group formally involved in a sewing project that was based in Kawama School. Unfortunately, the project was no longer viable, and Kawama Krafts was closed but the members of the group have been keen to develop their business acumen and have paid to take part in a short business course run by Oscar. Once their plans have been refined, they will receive a small loan from Beyond Ourselves to get their business started. Oscar is committed to the group and will continue to monitor and support them over the next 18 months. Something that I am so so thankful for, as I love seeing them being trained up and empowered, but don’t have the time or the expertise that the relationship with Oscar brings.
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| Oscar Mwila leading a business course at Kawama |
I love that we’re partnering with other organisations here. I love that it increases our capacity to see things done. I love that it often means that something is done to a better level, by people who bring more experience in a specialised area. But most of all, I love coming alongside others walking the same journey as us, eager to see God move in this place and bringing heaven to Earth.
By team member Dan.
By team member Dan.
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