Early rays of sun glance off the mud rondavel walls but the air is icy as I step outside. I wave to Michelo singing outside her house and scamper to the mess, neighbourhood dogs crowding around demanding affection. Rob has made porridge with Medan’s pounded ground nuts and, glad of the warmth, I huddle by the braai with a bowl of the creamy meal and mug of coffee. My day begins.

Smiles and a jumble of “Murishani”s greet me as I head past chickens pecking in the dust, past babies being bathed and toddlers pottering to the Crèche, past white-washed buildings, across the dusty field into school. ‘Good morning Miss Zausmer!’ my Grade 8 class choruses. The 40 pupils sit three to a desk; they’re already restless and a little fed up. English homework hasn’t been done but it’s no great surprise; life is not easy for them with chores at home and work in the fields. And there is no electricity for lighting after dark. I start the lesson regardless – ‘Adjectives’. They’re finding them confusing and I struggle to illustrate the concepts. I sigh. We must take a different tack; they can teach me adjectives in Bemba. They love my ridiculous mimes of “fat” and “thin” and my feeble efforts at Bemba, and their laughter resounds loudly around the school.

Contact us

Kaloko Trust UK E: admin@kalokotrust.orgW: www.kalokotrust.org

Kaloko Trust UK has closed and transferred projects to Cecily's Fund

Kaloko Trust UK

E: admin@kalokotrust.org
W: www.kalokotrust.org