Zambia

Zambia's export economy is dominated by metallic raw materials such as cobalt and copper. The foreign exchange income from this economic sector amounts to up to 95% of the total income. After the world market prices for raw materials fell, the income only came after expenditure. They were forced to apply for credit. At this point the debt trap, in which the country is still today, snapped shut. Although almost 80% of Zambians have a livelihood in agriculture, this sector only contributes to 20% of gross domestic product (GDP). This is because the food produced is used almost exclusively for their own consumption. Nevertheless, many farmers still have to do paid work. A large part of the population lives on the subsistence level. Failure to harvest brings hardship across the country. In the area of education, the government offers primary schools for the general public. But not all children visit them.

The "Forest creates future" foundation is represented in the north-west and south of the country with its own projects in the field of education. The foundation focuses particularly on improving conditions in selected schools in Zambia.

2021 Expansion of the preschool area at the Lubanga Shabongwe Primary School Project management Henrik Löning

New play equipment and a protected interior space for the preschool children

For the children from the preschool area at the Lubanga Shabongwe Primary School there were no separate rooms and places where they could stay and be taught. In cooperation with the preschool teachers, the headmistress Mecelinah and the Parents Teacher Committee (PTC), the Preschool Project was developed and implemented in spring this year. Construction and planning were carried out by a local craft business.

The repair of a no longer usable building was the first step towards a functioning infrastructure. Then it was possible to separate an area of the school grounds for the preschool and to bring it to life with swings, seesaws, slides and climbing opportunities. In late spring we were finally able to hand over the grounds and the associated opportunities for development to the children.

Easy living

the tunnel caterpillar moves forward

Lishima Community School 2021

Further expansion - projekt manager Kerstin Hälker

The teaching materials, chalkboards and school desks ordered in 2020 were delivered in February and are being used immediately

Unfortunately, there was no meeting with the school and in front of all the local helpers this year, as the current Corona situation did not allow this.

Actually, new toilets should be built in 2021, as the school only has a single latrine (2 places) available for them. Heavy rain in the spring of 2021 ruined these plans: the teacher's home was so damaged that it became uninhabitable. The teacher therefore had to move into one of the two classrooms. This means that now 120 children are taught in just one classroom or outdoors. Therefore the board of the foundation decided to take over the material costs for the construction of a house for the teacher instead of the toilets. The construction work is carried out by the municipality itself. In the meantime (the procurement was very tedious due to the corona), the majority of the materials for building the house have been delivered and construction of the house can begin shortly.

The delivered desks will be painted on site. In the background one of the school buildings

missing school desks, blackboard and teaching aids

Sinazongwe District 2021

beginning activities in Sinazongwe district, south of Zambia

Together with Mooya Silweeno, a pastor of the Diocese Monze in Choma, a first project was developed and carried out for the remote Simoonga Primary Community School.

The condition of the school, in which 270 children are educated, is catastrophic. There are partly open buildings made of pressed stones, there are no school desks, blackboards or teaching materials. Unfortunately, a personal inspection could not take place in 2021, so that the purchase of 55 school desks, 4 teachers' desks and 4 blackboards was decided as an emergency aid.

Due to the smooth cooperation with Mooya, we started another project in 2021: the school is planning to set up a school garden from which the students could get a small school breakfast in the future. Unfortunately, there was not enough water to irrigate the garden areas. So we provided the financial means for the construction of a well with a hand pump on the school premises.

Students from grade 4 in front of one of the two shelves

Father Vincent hands the school books to headteacher Madam Gertrude, on the left Deputy Mr. Kayanga

2020 Support of the Lishima Primary School in the north-west Project management Kerstin Hälker

At the beginning of the year, textbooks for 7 grades were ordered for this small school in the middle of the bushland and, thanks to the active support of Father Vincent, a minister from the St. Kalemba Mission, handed over to the school. So that the total of 690 school books can be properly stored in the teachers' room, 2 large bookshelves were bought from the carpenter on site. The joy in school was great, but a bit clouded, as not all children were allowed to go to school due to Corona.

Unfortunately, further measures at this school could not be discussed on site in spring 2020, as the trip had to be canceled due to the corona pandemic. Nevertheless, active support continues via email or WhatsApp: more school desks will be bought this year (with the 10 school desks delivered in 2019, 35 pieces are still missing), the blackboards are to be renewed and there are still missing teaching materials (atlases , math sets, story books etc.) have now been ordered.

2020 Construction of a security fence around the Lubanga Shabongwe Primary School project manager Helmut Hälker

A project that is 75% funded by the Schmitz Foundation and is implemented in close cooperation with a partner organization in Zambia

Aims:

The school, which is tormented by vandalism, theft and attacks, is to be better protected in the future so that children and teachers can develop and carry out their activities fearlessly and freely. For this purpose, a 1,600 m long fence will be erected around the campus and will be monitored by security guards around the clock. Two secured gates are the only entrances to the campus. From the idea to the completion of this measure, the Parents and Teacher Commettee (PTC) was / is our decisive partner on site. With him, the first analyzes took place but also the complete planning and implementation of the project. The second partner for this project is the Schmitz foundation in Düsseledorf Germany www.schmitz-stiftungen.de/en The foundation actively participated in both the project procedure and the financing (10,000 Euros) and with advice and action at all times. This creates important prerequisites for future investments.

Medium to long-term approach:

For the Lubanga Shabongwe Primary School, not only investments in the infrastructure but above all a joint offensive in the desired improvement of teaching are planned. A pedagogical concept to be drawn up on site with experienced specialists from the education sector should be consistently pursued and implemented.

2020 New table frames and benches for the Lubanga Shabongwe Basic School - project manager Helmut Hälker

350 old frames were repaired and 200 new ones were bought for a total of 1,100 students

Due to vandalism and theft, half of all students have been sitting on the concrete floor during class for years. In a campaign with a local craft business, 350 old frames were repaired and re-covered with high-quality wood. In addition, the decision was made to buy 200 new table-bench combinations. This means that in future all children will have a seat and can concentrate better on class.

2020 health education and preventive measures against the Covid 19 pandemic in Namwala project manager Helmut Hälker

The concerted action consisted of educating the population, protective measures for the Lubanga Shabongwe Basic School by our foundation and the establishment of an isolation station for the local hospital by the Friends of the Secondary School Associatio

Covid 19 is a great danger for African states. The very threatening economic situation in some countries makes it difficult for governments to face the threats of a pandemic.

We, from forest creates future, have made many friends here in Namwala (Zambia) and support a school with 2,100 children. We can't possibly leave these people alone now. That's why we started an action on April 20, 2020, coordinated with the Friends of the Secondary School Namwala.

It all started with a plan to educate the population of Namwala community. With the help of two teams, consultants and an employee of the hospital, as well as a representative of the government Dr. Munakasaka Chikuba. became the population i.e. 1,600 households visited, provided with auxiliary materials such as soap and masks, informed and instructed.

Maintaining a social distance from each other and washing hands thoroughly with soap and water were probably the most important measures that the entire population adopted.

The Lubanga Primary School received 25 new taps and 25 mobile washing stations, disinfectants, protective masks, a professional clinical thermometer and clear instructions for behavior in the school. Daily hand washing of the children when entering and leaving the school premises, social distance, registration in the event of corona symptoms, lessons in the open air and protection of teachers are just some of the measures in the school.

The establishment of an isolation ward for the Friends of the Secondary School together with the Namwala Hospital were a welcome addition and show us that it is worthwhile to work closely with other organizations, especially in times of crisis.

2019 School projects in northwest Zambia Project Manager Kerstin Hälker

The Lishima Community School is located in sparsely populated scrubland about 15 km from the small town of Manyinga.

The two primary school teachers teach about 120 children in 2 classrooms under insufficient conditions. The few teaching aids and school desks are far from sufficient. Every day, the children run barefoot up to 10 km each morning and evening to reach their school.

With an immediate measure, we were able to alleviate part of the need by purchasing 10 new school desks.

Together with the village community, the parents and the teachers, further measures such as equipping additional school desks, purchasing school materials, improving hygienic conditions and necessary building repairs will be discussed, planned and implemented at the beginning of 2020.

Here is the old school building of the Lishima School. With a roof renovation, masonry repairs and the installation of a floor, the urgently needed 3rd class of the school could be accommodated here with little effort.

The board of the “Forest creates future” foundation has decided to support small, widely spaced village schools in this part of Zambia, so that children in remote areas can also receive schooling.

2019 Sambia Project Manager Helmut Hälker

A fountain for the Lubanga Shabongwe Basic School in Namwala Zambia

A Collaboration with the Swiss Association for the Promotion of the Namwala Secondary School Zambia and the Board Member Johannes van der Weijden enabled the foundation "Forest Creates the Future" to realize the Projekt quickly and pragmatically. Next to the Lubanga Shabongwe Prymary School a deep well of 55 m with elevated tank and water distribution was built. The 2,150 pupils benefit from this.