THRASS - improving literacy in Zambia

February 2016                                 Bit by Bit - School Development

Many schools in Zambia are improving their literacy rates through THRASS, “teaching handwriting, reading and spelling skills”. Thanks to our friend, Doug in Victoria some ZMF-C sponsored teachers had some basic instruction in it a few years ago and now Ruhtt Mbumwae is inspired to push on and promote this excellent teaching method!  

Look out teachers!

The 3 community schools that ZMF-C have been involved with rank among the highest academically of all the schools in the district related to a number of motivation strategies mostly introduced by Mrs. Ruhtt Mbumwae. But….that doesn’t mean the standard is high – there are many kids who do not read well or who have basic comprehension.

THRASS will not be underused anymore!

We took ZMF-C sponsored teachers on a tour of 2 Choma schools using THRASS. WOW, amazing.  Listening to the children, watching the teachers and administration in action was inspirational!

Maize, rain, global warming...

January 2016 - Climate change.

Maize planted in December 2015 – It seems rains start later and later each year in Southern Zambia. But we are not Zambians - we are just noticing. What does internet report? 

Some maize fields are barely plodding along because of late and scant rains.

But in the last 4 weeks there have been steady and fairly decent rains.

The field in the photo is planted for the orphans and vulnerable at Butare, a village about 17 km. from Kalomo. The top photo was end of January and the other near the end of February. Slow but sure growth. This field has potential yet! 

In the first photo by January the maize should reach our shoulders. Either Ruhtt’s or mine would be fine!

                             In January 2016

Please pray for continued rains for southern Zambia!

Sue  

                                                                                                                                                                      Its growing!     Maize in February at Butare! 

January 2016 ZMF-C School Feeding Program

                                                                  ZMFC – January 2016                     

School Feeding Program for Nalabumba, Siabalumbi and Good Hope Schools

Inadequate rains have resulted in the start of hunger for this area in Zambia. Hunger means that a child will not learn well in school or that he/she may not come to school at all.

At this point, hunger is not widespread and it is not resulting in major cases of general malnutrition.

Certain families have capacity to cope better, for example, if the parents are government employed.

But, we do know of children who are coming to school hungry and who may only be eating one meal a day, and that would likely be without protein.

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday the students receive a drink/porridge called “tobwa”, a soya based product.

On Wednesdays at the school the children are eating nsima (being prepared above) and a protein – i.e .beans, kapenta (a small fish) or soya chunks.

All the children love Wednesdays.

School feeding programs have been shown to contribute to better learning for the child, better attendance and also support for the family – in that one meal at least is taken care of for that day!

The schools will continue to evaluate the program as it progresses through the term.

The rains continue to be poor and maize crops planted in December are quite variable, ranging from severely stunted to surprisingly surviving!

We, and the Zambians solicit your prayers for rain and for food and we pass on many thanks from the Zambians to those involved in financially supporting ZMF-C in order to implement this program.