The Limapela Foundation

Quality education for Zambia based on Christian values

26 November 2018

School Events

On 21 September Luyando Community School organised and hosted a very successful sports day for three schools — Luyando, Limapela and Roma. On 24 October Limapela Cedric’s held their annual Independence Day celebrations with singing, dancing, speeches and poetry. The Kafakumba Singers and the Kamfinsa Judo Club were guest performers. Each year, this event gets better.

Sports Day

Health and Sanitation

We know that young Zambian girls often miss school during menstruation because they cannot afford to buy sanitary products, and because school toilet facilities are often inadequate. So we are very grateful to the Zambia Airports Corporation for including Limapela in their programme of providing sanitary pads for Zambian schoolgirls. We are aware that good materials and facilities will only improve the lives of our pupils if they go hand in hand with the implementation of an effective health and sanitation programme. We continue to encourage our teachers in their efforts to teach about life and survival, as well as core subjects in the classroom.

Building Projects

The Luyando Ablution Blocks Project has been approved and funded by The Rotary Foundation, thanks to tireless work by The Rotary Clubs of Canberra and Kitwe. The construction is being done by local building contractors Nat-Al Services, and the building has now reached roof level.

At Limapela Cedric’s, two buildings are in progress — a secondary classroom block funded jointly by The Beit Trust and a number of generous individual donors, and a house for the Head Teacher, for which we have applied for a grant. Thanks to Tony Ventriglia of Zambezi Portland Cement for generous donations of cement and blocks.

Luyando ablution blocks

Exams

All our pupils in Grades 7 and 9 are sitting their national exams this month. Great importance is attached to the results, but the Examinations Council of Zambia (ECZ) is under fire this year because of widespread irregularities and leaking of exam papers. One of the Grade 9 Maths papers was cancelled at the last minute because it was discovered to be circulating on social media prior to the exam. This is discouraging, and we wonder if all the work involved to enter the pupils and conduct the exams is worth it.

Compassion Fund

A recent donation for the family of Anita Siame has prompted the establishment of this fund. Anita was a 26-year-old street vendor who died in June 2017, a week after being beaten up in Central Kitwe by several City Council police officers. 17 months have passed, and although the assailants have been identified, there have been no charges laid.

I would like Limapela to stand for many things here in Zambia, including mercy and justice, both of which have been shockingly absent in this case. Now two caring grandparents are struggling to provide for Anita’s four children, and we will help as we can. Sadly, there are countless other Zambian grandparents who take responsibility for raising their grandchildren when their parents are unable to do so.

— Matthew F. Raymond, trustee