To be honest, the hole didn’t strike me as being anything special when I first saw it two months ago. In fact I was so busy waving at the little children yelling Muzungu that I didn’t even notice it in the first place. (And let’s be real – who notices holes anyhow?) As far as I’m concerned, a hole in the in the ground is not something to get excited about.
But Bernard Sakala, father of five and principal at Flying Angels school is not me, and I’ve learned that Bernard gets exited about things that the rest of the world tends to ignore. For Bernard this hole by the side of the road is a dream waiting to happen. Someday, this hole will be 6 new toilets.
Since I arrived in Zambia last August, I’ve shared stories about my little friends at the Kondwa centre: Charles and Dudu and Frida and Philimon (whose name I’ve been massacring for months!). I’ve shared with you my hope for sending them all to grade one and my desire to raise $6300 to cover the costs of their school fees. And I’ve told you all about Bernard, the man with the beautiful smile who dreams of building 6 more toilets so that his 751 students and 10 teachers will no longer have to share just two.
And since I arrived in Zambia last August, I’ve been completely overwhelmed at the generosity of so many kind souls who have shared $30,000.00 with Zambia’s children.
Well friends, today was a great day. Today a great many dreams came true.
This afternoon 140 children went home from school with new shoes on their feet. 140 pairs of leather school shoes from the Bata shoe store purchased with your money.
This afternoon 90 little children left Flying Angels and Roma Girls and Ng’ombe Basic Schools in school uniforms and carrying new backpacks. 90 little children who are going to school because of you.
And this afternoon, I stood with Bernard at the side of the road, sharing his happiness that after two years of being empty, his hole was being filled with the bricks for 6 new toilets. 6 new toilets and no more cholera at Flying Angels – all because of you.
I know there are many causes in this world to which you could give money - many organizations and initiatives that could use your help to make this planet a better place. But I just want to tell you that I am so grateful for your help in making life a little bit brighter for 140 children in Ng’ombe Compound in Lusaka. 140 beautiful children, just like Philimon, who have new shoes and will go to grade one and use new toilets because of you.
I hope these photos will reassure you that your generosity is making a difference.
Thank you, thank you for helping me share in these smiles.
With love and love and love and love
Jessica
