Take Heart International

The Kapoma community named the new school block the “Bob and Sherley Block” in big red letters! (We didn’t care that Sherley is not the way we spell her name.) We felt honored! The new school is such a contrast to the old three-room structure, where the older children attend classes. 60-70 young children squeeze into the desks in one room and about 40 children in the other. Despite the close quarters, they listen quietly to their teachers. We have many photos showing both younger and older children. You can see the bookshelves at the back of each classroom, holding all the materials used each day—not many for so many children!

During our visit in October 2014, we brought 400 notebooks and pencils (one for each child), a box of Obama pens (purchased locally!), along with about 70 soccer uniforms and 15 balls, with pumps and other accessories. (Soccer equipment was courtesy of Sports Gifts, a separate nonprofit organization.) This year Bob and Shirley were accompanied by their son Mark, his wife, Jolie, and 14-year-old daughter, Sarah. Mark’s family sponsors Bornface (who had club feet when we first met him) so that he can attend middle school, a boarding school several hours distant from his home by bicycle.

Teaching materials consist of one blackboard in each room from which children copy assignments. Teachers requested textbooks so that children may share with only one or two other persons. Unfortunately, there is no longer clean drinking water at the school. We promised to underwrite a new well.

So many wonderful things have happened over the past two years thanks to Take Heart International. Kapoma School dedicated its new schoolhouse in December, 2011, and government officials declared the work excellent. Since that time, new solar panels have been installed, bringing electric power to both classrooms. This allowed the rooms to both have overhead lights, which allowed the school to begin offering adult literacy classes at night — at last count, 52 adults were enrolled for classes two nights a week. In September 2013, Bob and Shirley returned to Zambia, and brought with them two laptop computers, a projector and DVD player, along with a screen and 40 DVDs. Bob spent three days instructing the teachers how to use the equipment. Please click under ‘Projects > Kapoma School’ for more details about the construction effort (http://takeheartinternational.org/projects/kapoma-school/).

In addition to the school construction, Take Heart has also begun helping in other ways too. In 2011, Bornface Kunda was an 11 year old boy with clubfoot who walked 3km to and from school each day. Bob and Shirley were so touched by his and his family’s store, that they decided to help him. An orthopedic surgeon from Lusaka agreed to help Bornface, and after a few successful procedures, his treatment for clubfoot is now complete. Please click under ‘Projects > Medical’ for more details about this amazing story (http://takeheartinternational.org/projects/medical/).

For all of you who donated money to build the new schoolhouse, read Claire Powell’s description of the schoolhouse dedication and shout for joy! 

On December 23, at the dedication of the new school rooms, the Headmaster of Kasama Basic School told the people who helped make the bricks and prepare the celebration:  “Well Done!” Then he pointed out that some in the village failed to offer help with the school but they had no problem in coming to celebrate its completion and eating the food we provided.  No worries,” he said.  “You are welcome, but next time PULL UP YOUR SOCKS.”  Then the representative of the Zambian Ministry of Education (MOE) pledged to send teacher’s desks and chairs, bookshelves, and a new teacher for next term!!!  This brought whooops of joy from the village women.  He then went on to say that they would also add a second new teacher and build a 1X3 CLASSROOM in 2013.   I have it on video and the villagers went wild … they are now gunning for a new teacher’s house.  The MOE was basically pledging to the villagers… you help and the government will match!!

December 23, 2011

Dedication of New Kapoma Schoolhouse

Villagers in front of the main entrance to the new schoolhouse.

Gilbert (our teacher friend), the headmaster, and another teacher show their appreciation for the new school building.

Villagers and students at the dedication of the new classroom on December 23.

Claire Powell, who oversaw construction of the school, tries out the new desks provided for the students by the Ministry of Education (MOE). MOE was so impressed with the quality of construction that they immediately sent 50 of these desks to Kapoma Basic School.

Scouts in their cardboard uniforms.  We would love to send them the unused scout uniforms languishing in your storage closet or chest.

August 7, 2011

Groundbreaking Ceremony

Early Construction

Building of Kapoma Lower Basic School:  Groundbreaking Ceremony and Delivery of Stage 1 & 2 Materials

The community that will be served by the Kapoma Lower Basic School participated in a Groundbreaking Ceremony.  In addition, the materials for Stages 1 & 2 of the school construction project were delivered.

Who We Are

Take Heart International is a public charity focused on providing educational services to public school students in rural northern Zambia, Africa.

What We Do

Take Heart International is primarily focused on financing and overseeing the construction and repair of public school buildings.

By helping Northern Zambian communities construct brick public school buildings with tin roofs, Take Heart is helping to improve the quality of the public education the hundreds of children in each community are receiving.  The school buildings’ tin roofs and brick walls allow the hundreds of students to meet in the school even when it is raining, and allow the public school communities to display and securely store books and other educational supplies for hundreds of public school students without fear of water damage.

Children From Rural Northern Zambian Community Looking Through Schoolroom Window

To contribute, click on “contribute” and follow the prompts, or send a check to “Take Heart International” at 4913 Puma Way, Carmichael, CA 95608.  Your donations will be tax exempt.  Each donation, large or small, is appreciated.   No donations made through this website will be used for administrative costs.