AFRICA  HOPE 

                                                                                                                                                                  February 10, 2007

 Greetings Friends!

                Just a little update about the children and project at Upeme Childrens’

Centre and Community School---

                The children are healthy, happy  and growing.  At our request, Zambian Social Services has been at the centre to interview the resident children and review their paperwork in order to advise the court regarding their legal status—who is to have custodianship.  When the children are sick or injured, since they are in our care, we always assume responsibility to take them to the clinic for treatment, but it can be potentially sticky if we are not the legal guardians and we do not know who is.  Just one of many details to which we are tending to make the project right.

                Last summer  we applied to the Department of Forestry for a long-term lease of the land on which Upeme is located, so that we may be assured that our investment in construction remains forever associated with the school and childrens’ centre.  We have been waiting, waiting, waiting to begin any new construction until the deed is granted, and have now been told that the Director will make a site visit in April or May before signing the paperwork.   As soon as the deed is granted, we are prepared to forge ahead.  At their invitation, we have applied to the Coca Cola Company for a grant to expand the school from three classrooms to six.  We are awaiting a response as well from them, and are hoping to receive the grant.  Our classes are about 30 children or less, compared to 90 per grade at the local government school, and the teachers do the best they can, but because of the shortage of classroom space, the children are on half-day classes, and they sorely need to be attending a full day.

                I will be traveling to Zambia in March to assist with a change of “command.”    Debra Lueck, who has worked tirelessly for the past 21/2 years to found this project, is coming home, and Jackie Rundquist, who has been her assistant since September, will take over.    Meanwhile, here in Grand Junction we are making plans for a benefit golf tournament at Redlands Mesa on May 12.  We hope you will join us as a hole sponsor, golf tournament player, or for the lunch and auction to follow.

                Hope to see you in May,