DFC After-School Group.
FINALLY, the primary school has the internet working after months and months of waiting... The DFC after school group was in there immediately getting email addresses and surfing the web - slowly. The kids are VERY excited to have their own email addresses and have written me several sweet messages saying how great the after school club is. As they get acclimated to the internet, we are building a blog together as one of their projects. Throughout this year, the group has focused their energy on addressing important issues in their community. They are GREAT kids. So, rather than make them stare at websites telling them how they should be, we are creating our own website (blog). Their only instruction was to research the issues online and pick out the facts they think children their age should know. The process helps to develop their computer, research and english skills, so it's a challenging task. They are working very hard - see their progress here.
We are also planning for our end of the year celebration - "Parents' Night"- scheduled for September 30th at the Kurland Community Hall. All the kids' parents/gaurdians have received their formal invitation along with several other community members and local NGO's. The kids are helping me put together a big powerpoint presentation with all the pictures and videos of all the projects they've done over the year. It will be shown on a big screen thanks to the DFC projector, and everyone will enjoy cake and beverages. They will all be wearing their t-shirts from youth day and it's turning out to be quite the special event. We are all very excited and proud of the progress they've made this year and I'm hoping for the night to make a lasting impression on the parents and community members. The "Welcome to Kurland" Sign was put up at the first entrance to the village and has received great feedback from several people in the village. After racing against the heavy winds and approaching rain, the sign was up just in time. The kid are very proud of their sign that is now seen by everyone coming into the village.
New Classroom.
Can you believe it?! The pictures below are of the FINISHED addition to the school, funded by DFC and Born in Africa...
Solar Water Heater.
DFC's second solar water heater has been built for Jack, a friend of mine who works for WWISA. Jack is probably one of the nicest and hardest working people I have ever met. He greatly appreciated my offer of purchasing the supplies for his solar water heater, and the two of us spent a Saturday building and installing it. Though Jack's was a gift, the idea is that people on his street and further will see and hear about the benefits of his solar water heater, and want their own. In which case, they will pay for a small portion, and DFC will pick up the rest (handouts from charities have become a big problem in the village, so it's important that people learn to save a little to chip in for the cost). That family will then be supplied with materials and we will teach them how to put it together and install it. A few days after installing it, Jack called me excited with the news that his was too hot, and we must figure out a plan to pump out the cold water along with it. Hot water and shower is a luxury in the village, as the government housing project does not provide either.
