AFRICA  HOPE

                                                                                                                                                                        November, 2006

Dear Friends,

                We have just returned from a trip to the Upeme Children’s Centre and Community School in Zambia, and in case you were unable to attend our “show and tell”  Friends Appreciation Dinner on November 16,  I am writing to detail our trip and plans for Upeme.

                Eleven hearty souls went to Zambia for two weeks in October.  While we were there, three of the men on the trip constructed a swing set and monkey bars for the children, which was a huge hit.  No one had ever been on a swing before, but after a quick lesson on how to “pump,” all the children lined up for a turn, and again and again.  Even one of the Headmen, who is 84 years old, was coaxed to take a try, and he had a good laugh.  We also painted one of the classrooms, constructed benches with some of the older kids who just had to have a try at the electric drill, and had a memorable three days of “Vacation Bible School ” with all the children.  They enjoyed the Bible story skits, craft projects, and especially the singing.  At the conclusion of our stay, we fixed dinner (spaghetti with meat sauce, coleslaw, roll, and cake) for the children, the PTA officers, and the staff and their immediate families.  We had been expecting about 150 people, which was daunting enough for us small-time cooks, but people kept coming and coming, about 220!!  Not sure what they thought about the spaghetti—they had a hard time managing the noodles-- but the cake at least was a hit.   We gave away the benches—18 in all—to the local churches, and they were much appreciated.  The kids, as always, were the best part of the trip, and we came away in love all over again.

                We have lots planned for Upeme for 2007—the construction of three more classrooms if we receive a grant request made to the Coca Cola Company, building 6 houses for teachers at our community school, and the expansion of the agriculture project, along with education for ourselves and the community.  We currently are waiting for a deed to the land from the Department of Forestry before we start these new projects.

                This Christmas season please include us in your prayers, and if you have gifts to buy for someone who already has what they need, please think of Upeme.

                             Susie Maclean, president of the board of Africa Hope