Zambia Update

Dear Family and Friends,

We have been quite busy these last few weeks. We would like to thank you all for your prayers and encouraging e-mails that have been sent our way. It has taken some time for us to adjust to life back out in the bush, but there has been some recent updates that have really made it easier. Amber and Jako have done a wonderful job at accommodating our needs, and really trying to make our transition as easy as possible. We are currently in Lusaka, Zambia. Lusaka is the capital of Zambia and is about a 6-8 hour drive from Amber and Jako's. Nate and I needed to start the application process for our work visas, and we had to say our goodbyes to Alyssa. Her two year commitment was finished, and with mixed emotions she left Africa and is going back to America. Please pray for her as this transition will not be easy on her.
In the prior weeks to her departure she was showing me the preschool and introducing me to Medis(the teacher) at Twana Little School. The community was sad to see Alyssa go back to America, as she was close to many of them, and they have much love for her because of all the time and effort she poured into their children. Please be praying for the community and the teachers as they now need to put what Alyssa taught them into practice. Also, be praying for me as I have to gain the respect of the community, and the trust of the teachers. They have to know that I care for them, and their children, and that my purpose is to better the education of their children. At the going away party of Alyssa, one of the senior headmen(a man chosen by the community- usually has good standing and works with other village headmen on different issues and matters that arise) stood up and gave a powerful speech to the community. He said even if all the white people leave, would this primary project still continue? This just signifies to me that they know this is a community project, and they hold a huge responsibility in preparing for the school. Many of them are now finishing with harvest, so please pray that the people will work diligently so that we can open Twana Primary School in January!

Here are some pictures of the preschool:

When we return from Lusaka, we will be transitioning into the guest house. It will be nice having a space of our own to go to. I am so excited to unpack our luggage!!! :)  Our schedule is going to change now that Alyssa is gone, my level of involvement in the school will increase immensely, and I will need to begin making preparations for the primary school. Please pray that God will give me wisdom on how to set up the school, how to train the teachers, and encourage them in their faith. Nate will continue working with Jako on a variety of projects. Another reason we came to Lusaka was for them to get parts for the vehicles and tractor. The vehicles really take a beating due to the bush driving, but Jako is so happy to have Nate's expertise and help. Two heads are better than one :)  Nate will also be helping me with the school project. We are going to try to find a way to make portable desks, and I am going to need his help when making shelves. I am not good with measuring and knowing how big to make things. So I am thankful I have him to run ideas by. Nate continues to enjoy his time working with Thomas and Sakumbila. They have interesting stories and he is learning a lot about the culture. We learned that the Tonga people were hunters/fisherman, not farmers. Farming practices are not the best, but now I have a better understanding why since they really haven't been doing it that long. Be praying for ways Nate can minister to the men in the community, and the older boys at the children's home.

We were fortunate enough during our time in Lusaka to skype our parents. We were so happy to see them, and talk to them face to face. We always love hearing about what is going on at home. So to all of our family and friends- you can send us updates as well- we LOVE hearing about what is going on in each of your lives too!

I have gone back and forth so often on what to do with school supplies for the school. Our goal is that the school will be self-sustainable. Completely ran by the community for the community.  If ample supplies is brought over from the states- will they be able to more of these items when the run out? As of now, teams are coming each year from America, so supplies could be attained, but I believe in my heart that even though the arts/crafty things in America are so fun, I do not know if it would be the best thing for the community. I am okay with supplies coming over, I just want them to be durable and long lasting. Kids will be kids, so I know there is no guarrantee, but the more things we can purchase in Zambia the better. The only downside, is that materials can be more expensive here, so I decided that I am going to just trust God on this matter. I created a wish list on Amazon of items that I really think would benefit the students education, and give the teachers more options to teach the different curriculum areas. The items I put on there do not have to be bought on Amazon if you know you can get them cheaper elsewhere. On Amazon if you type "Africa Supply List" you should be able to find the one I created. I will also add a typed out list that Alyssa and I made in a word document that has the materials broken down by subject area. Any materials that can be brought together would be a huge blessing.

 I know some have already donated a Wal-Mart gift card to go towards some of these items, and we want to say thank you so much. The students will have more opportunities to learn because of the items that will be purchased with them. As I said before, our goal is for them to be self-sustaining so please pray that God will use these materials for good, as I do believe that it is right for me to put this list out. In my mind, I know it will better their education, and will learn more quickly. Please pray for me as I work alongside the teachers showing them new concepts, and strategies for teaching students more effectively. Many have not had any formal training, so many of these concepts will be foreign to them. I ultimately want to share with them, that each one of these students were created in God's image, and he has given each a special gift. The children can learn, and be successful regardless of their color.



There will be approximately 30 students in Grade 1, and 30 students in Grade 2. Many of these materials listed will be needed also in Grade 2. Here is the list. I know it is big, but with God ALL things are possible.
Again, materials can be dropped off at either church, or to our parents. If you want to give a monetary donation please specify that in memo line(Twana School). All supplies need to be in by August 4th, so that the Faith Assembly team from Waterloo can have time to disperse all supplies in their luggage. Please ask or send us any questions you have to our email account nmsweerin@hotmail.com and we will address them as soon as possible. Thank you for partnering with us. We will be praying for you all.

The Sweerin's

Twana Primary School Supply List (Grade 1)

To Support Math:

·         Rulers/Measuring Tapes/Meter Sticks

·         Pattern Blocks

·         Abacus

·         Calculators (solar power)

·         Measuring Cups(ml and L)

·         Objects to count and sort(bears, counters, colored dice, etc)

·         Containers to sort

·         Adding and Subtracting Games

·         Touch Math- $ to get curriculum manipulatives

·         Geometric Boards with bands

·         Math Cubes

·         Foam “+” and “-“ and “=” signs

·         Shapes

·         Puzzles with shapes, numbers, etc.

·         Children’s Books about math ideas

·         Graph Charts (Blank) with graphing set

·         Base Ten Blocks

To Support Science/ Social Studies:

·         Tornado Bottles

·         Fake Snow

·         Magnifying Glasses

·         Bug Boxes

·         Magnets

·         Magnetic Boards

·         Human Body

·         Weather stuff

·         Marbles

·         Ramps

·         Objects to observe with magnifying glass

·         Colors/Color mixing paddles

·         TONS of children’s science books (i.e. outer space, bugs, animals, ocean, earth, weather, human body, plants, volcanoes, experiments, and so on)

·         Binoculars

·         Butterfly cage

·         Ant Farm

·         Plant pots

·         Science Index Cards

·         Eye Droppers

·         Tweezers

·         Globe

·         Glow in the dark stars/planets

·         Fossils

·         Things to support learning about the ocean

·         Garden Tools

·         5 Senses

·         Water Testing kit

·         Food Groups

·         Books on different people groups/ social skills

Language Development:

·         Sign Language Index Cards, Books, and Games

·         Food, plates, cups, pots, pans, etc.

·         Animals

·         Blocks (various kinds)

·         Cars

·         People

·         Puppets

·         Felt Board with stories (smaller for 2-3 children to use)

·         Finger Puppets

·         Books about other cultures

·         Legos

·         Lincoln Logs

Reading Development:

·         Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons- $ to purchase lessons

·         Books that start with level 1 reading to level 3 reading

·         Various Children’s Books (Christian and Non-Christian)

·         Sight-Word Cards

·         Magnetic Board with Letters

·         Decodable Books

Writing Development:

·         Hand Writing without Tears curriculum (wooden letters, mat man, etc.)

·         Newsprint Paper with lines

·         Dry Erase Crayons/Markers

·         Dry Erase/ Chalk Boards

·         Chalk

·         Chalk Boards

·         Stencils (letters, numbers, animals, shapes)

·         Pencil Sharpeners (attach to tables)

·         Pencil Boxes

·         Envelopes and Key Chain Rings

·         Clip Boards

·         Large Chart Paper

Art:

·         Popsicle Sticks/Wooden Clothespins

·         Cotton Balls

·         Yarn, String and Needles (plastic)

·         Buttons

·         Scissors

·         Tissue Paper

·         Paint Brushes

·         Construction Paper

·         White paper for painting

·         Washable Paint (all colors)

·         Powder Tempera Paint (all colors)

·         Fine Point BLACK Permanent Markers

·         Washable Markers (thin and thick), crayons, colored pencils, pencils, pens

·         Funnels

·         Shovels, buckets

·         Coffee Filters

·         Cookie Cutters for clay/playdough

·         Molding Clay

Classroom Set Up:

·         A lot of clear, plastic containers with lids (round, square, tall, short, big, and small)

·         Collapsible Containers

·         Post it notes (big and small)

·         Velcro (with sticky side)

·         Command Hooks (with refills)

·         Folders with pockets

·         Rubber Bands

·         Masking Tape (A LOT)

·         Double Sided Tape

·         Scotch Tape

·         Fishing Line (A LOT)

·         Clear, plastic CUPS

·         Page Protector Sheets (A4)

·         Dry Erase Markers

·         Paper Clips

·         Permanent Markers

Curriculum Books:

·         $1500 To buy 35 of each of the 6 curriculum books for Grade 1

·         35 Hand Writing without Tears KIDS books

Out Door Time:

·         Outdoor Balls (soccer, kickball, football, nerf balls, tennis balls, etc.)

·         Outdoor games

·         Ball Pump and EXTRA Needles

·         Kites

·         Frisbees

·         Ribbon Dancers

·         Sand Paper, Hammers, Goggles, Tape Measures, Level, etc. for kids and wood working

Bible Time:

·         Felt Board with stories and figures

·         Bible Story Books and Interactive Exercises appropriate for 6-8 year olds

·         Bible themed Puppets

Building Project

            Money for:

·         Floor Pillows/Rugs for Reading Nook

·         Builder to carve 60 + stools

·         Wood for Portable Desks

·         Wood for Shelving/ Teacher’s Desks

·         Curtains for Windows

·         Ink for Printer and Paper 

.     Laminating Pouches