Team Visit in July

Colin and Cara took a team of seven with them to visit Mutende this July. They had fun with the children doing crafts, playing volleyball, visiting the market, dodging water balloons and many other things!

“We had a wonderful time, with quite a few of the team saying that they’d like to return again soon! It’s such a joy to spend time with the children and to be able to support the staff, who are doing a brilliant job.”

Cara

Meeting the children and staff in person is key to understanding how the project is going, and it’s very clear that the children are settled and happy. Colin and Cara were able to oversee some maintenance and finance issues while they were there, and discuss possible future development with the staff and Zambian board of directors. The team ran a few activity sessions with groups from the school so that the wider community benefits too.

Some of the team went to Kitwe to visit some of the former Mutende children who are now studying at university. The students are supported by the project until they have finished their studies.

News from the School

We were able to take donations of clothes and equipment with us for both the children’s village and the school. We’re very grateful to Linden Church in Swansea who continue to give very generously towards the project, and this meant that we could buy school equipment while we were there.

Our current development focus for the project is the expansion of the school. Work has begun on building five new classrooms and a toilet block, which will enable the school to extend its provision from Grade 7 to Grade 9.

“Thank you for a wonderful two weeks…missing Mutende and all the children already!”

Mutende Team Member

Some of the children enjoying playing with stickers. We often sat outside with them after school while they did a craft activity

The Head teacher receiving some of the donations

The foundations of new school classrooms

Come with us to Mutende in 2025

If you don’t want summer to end, start planning the one next year! ☀️. We want to give everyone the best chance of being able to join us a team to Mutende, so we’re giving advance notice of our trip in the summer of 2025. We’re looking for people who love to serve and be part of a team, with the added bonus of having fun with the children. The greatest need is for those who are just willing to spend time with the children, playing games, reading, doing art and music activities and baking. There’s also a number of practical handyman-type jobs that always need doing, so if that’s your forté you’d be very welcome!

If you’d be interested in coming with us, please email [email protected].

In Brief

There are three new children at Mutende, E (boy), G (girl) and S (girl). They are all settling in well! Three children have left to be looked after by extended family
The rains were poor last year, which has led to electricity shortages as much of Zambia’s power is hydro-generated. We’re looking at ways of helping with the lack of power at Mutende
The team were treated to an extended assembly at the school, including a presentation from the Debating Society. The debate in question was ‘Are boys better than girls?’ 😂
We’re very grateful for generous donations towards the school expansion, and are awaiting the result of a grant application which will go towards these costs

THANK YOU!

… to all our faithful supporters. This project has a huge impact on the lives of children, and your gifts make it all possible. If you’d like to find out more about supporting a child, making a one-off donation, or fundraising, please contact Cara or Colin at [email protected]