Mid Argyll donations help Zambian home economics students
Generous supporters of Mid Argyll-based charity ZamScotEd have enabled St Columba’s Day Secondary School in Zambia to equip its new home economics department this month.
ZamScotEd supports the education of vulnerable children in a challenged area on the outskirts of Zambia’s capital city, Lusaka.
The charity initiated the building of a school where no secondary education had previously been available. It funded the first teaching block, which opened in 2016.
Today, more than 550 children enjoy quality education, with teachers paid by the Zambian government.
When the latest building was completed, head teacher Sr Veronica Nyoni of the Theresian Sisters (ZamScotEd’s Zambian partner organisation) asked if it was possible to equip the new home economics department.
ZamScotEd’s supporters stepped in and when the charity’s founder and chairperson Marian Pallister visited St Columba’s in June, she was able to hand over £760.
Marian said: “I had no idea what that could buy. Sr Veronica and I went shopping in Lusaka’s markets and in a morning we had just about equipped the department. Sr Veronica is an amazing shopper! “
She added: “We had quite a celebration with a home economics class and teachers when we delivered up the goods to the department.”
Department head Angela Pule, told Marian: “We are so grateful to the people of Scotland for completing our department in this way.”
And Sr Veronica told Marian: “ZamScotEd donates what is important to the pupils. The sanitary products you again funded earlier this year mean no girl needs to miss valuable schooling because of her periods.
"This is obviously an on-going need, and we thank ZamScotEd and its supporters for continuing to keep our girls in school.”
She added: “As for the wonderful gift to our home economics department, you’ve no idea what this means. In the current challenging situation, qualifications in home economics will help youngsters into jobs.”
Zambia currently faces food insecurity because of a prolonged drought, which also means power cuts of more than 12 hours a day as the country relies on hydroelectricity.
Marian said: “The country is in crisis. The generosity of the people of Mid Argyll is making a big difference. As well as enabling the poorest children to access education, ZamScotEd can help alleviate poverty in these small but vital ways.”
To donate to ZamScotEd, email Marian at marianpallister.icloud.com for the charity’s bank details.
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