Take Heart International

These are a few faces of Take Heart’s efforts in Zambia. Formerly they were “street children” not attending school because they have no place to live.  Gilbert, our teacher friend, was concerned about these children; he gave a test and  selected five of them to attend Niamukolo Primary School, where they now live and go to school.  At a cost of $500/student, they are given uniforms, books, supplies, room and board for one year.   If they do well, Take Heart will continue to sponsor them.  Gilbert will mentor them and provide updates for Take Heart.  

These three photos were taken in December 2024 at Kapoma School.  What a difference to the school we visited in January 2011!

(Scroll down to see photos of the original school in 2011.)

The “bloc” with two windows on each side of the door is the school constructed by Take Heart in 2011.  These are the classrooms for younger children.  The “bloc” with three windows on each side of the door is the old school which Take Heart refurbished two years ago.  The windows now are larger and have glass, there are cement floors, the walls have been replastered, and the roof is new.  Everything was refurbished and painted.  The entrance to both blocs shows the pride of the school community. 

Take Heart recently sent funds to purchase a new pump for the well.  There is still no electricity, but Take Heart is purchasing another 175 individual solar lanterns for the children so there will be bright light in their small homes. We have sent funds to purchase more books for the school. 

Take Heart will sponsor 13 children to attend secondary school, which costs each child about $125/year, an exorbitant sum for subsistence farmers.  Of course we must also provide for their uniforms, books, and supplies.  Each one will also have a solar lantern.

The two nursing students sponsored by THI have now graduated and are working as volunteers in a government clinic until jobs becomes available.  Their proud father is the contact person who oversees Take Heart projects at Kapoma School. 

The other major project of THI has evolved into four scholarships to the University of Zambia and two scholarships to a teachers college.  Bright motivated young people were identified by our other trusted contact in Zambia.  He has helped them prepare for rigorous academic training, and THI has provided each student with a laptop and a tutor to teach them basic computer skills.  These scholarships are an ongoing  commitment, four years for the university and three years for teachers college.  The university students have been granted government loans to cover tuition.  THI will cover their living expenses, books, notebooks and all other costs. 

THI thanks our generous donors who support these programs. 

NOTE:  Beginning in 2025 the Uganda project will have its own nonprofit:  Kiyunga Education Foundation.  Donations for the Kiyunga school should be addressed to the new nonprofit and sent to the same address.  (Website: https://kiyungaeducationfoundation.com/)

Lanterns

Take Heart is small, helping only a few, but the results are life-changing to those few.  We have recently supplied 175 solar lanterns to  students so they can read and study in the evenings.  This is especially helpful this year (2024), when the use of electricity in Zambia is permitted only a few hours each day.  Most of their power is hydroelectric and there is a severe drought.  Of course Kapoma School and its community have no electricity, so the solar lanterns are a huge  boon to the students and their families.  The lanterns were purchased locally for $10 to $12 each.

Scholarships

In addition, Take Heart is sponsoring several qualified students to attend secondary school, who otherwise could not afford the fees.  THI is also sponsoring three young people at teacher’s colleges and one bright young man at the University of Lusaka.  Also, two of the young women we have sponsored at nursing college will complete their studies in December 2024, one young man has completed his nursing certificate and is now applying for work in a government clinic. 

Quotes From Recipients

From one of the young women now at teacher’s college, preparing to teach secondary school:

“Your investment in my future has meant the world to me and I am thrilled to step closer to achieving my dream of making a positive impact on the lives of my future students.  Your support has not only helped me financially but instilled in me a sense of purpose and determination to succeed.”

From one of the young men we have sponsored for many years, from his first days at school (when he was 14) to his graduation from the University of Lusaka.

“Two days ago I went to visit my brother…..  He said to me ‘My brother your education achievement is a miracle and a blessing to our family……Just think of where you are coming from, your background and our family’s background ….it’s not possible that one would finish high school and much more attain University Education….”  Amos was the first in his family to go to school, AND graduate from the University of Lusaka.  Today he teaches secondary school and runs a tutoring program to enable students to pass their national exams.  He is “paying it forward” by helping other qualified and motivated young people move ahead. 

Kapoma School

The well project was completed, providing clean water to the school (see picture below)! Two faucets were installed: one near the school, and the other near one of the teacher’s house. Thanks to our donors who funded this project. See the picture below — the faucet shown is the one near the school. The government also provided a big stone sign for the school (picture below). We kind of wish they had instead provided more desks and teaching equipment, but we’ll take what they are willing to give.

Nursing Scholarships

Collins recently graduated from Nursing School. Mary and Memory are in their final year of school. And we are sponsoring another student as well.

JAMOS

Amos continues to help high school students through his tutoring program, JAMOS. Below are some of the students he is tutoring this year.

Old School Renovations

The old school block of three classrooms at Kapoma School has now been renovated. It turned out the walls were still structurally sound, so they were not torn down. The big improvement is that each classroom now has large windows with glass in order to let in more light. Electricity still has not been brought to the community, so the additional light makes a huge difference. The floors are now cement, the roof was repaired, and the building was painted inside and out. The blackboards are also being repainted; they are the primary teaching and learning tool in the classrooms. Sturdy doors with locks have been installed. We thank our friend Gilbert for overseeing this project. The government has pledged to furnish additional desks. We now have five classrooms, although only four are in use until the new desks arrive.

Nursing Scholarships

Collins will complete his nursing course this December and will then take final examinations. Mary and Memory are in their second year of nursing college and have one more year left. Both young women are doing well. They are all hopeful to find jobs once they receive their final certificates. Since nursing jobs are government jobs, however, there’s always some uncertainty associated with those types of jobs.

JAMOS

COVID restrictions prevented classes for nearly a year, but they have recently resumed in Science (physics, chemistry, and biology), English, Math, and Civics. Students have once again enrolled, about one-third of which are on scholarship. Amos’ goal is to help these students pass their GCE exams. They are now waiting for the results of their exams, and are expecting the results in November. Some of his former students now have good steady jobs, which is the ultimate goal. Amos is seeing their lives change as they can now support their own families.

FARM

A beautiful crop of tomatoes was recently harvested, which was sold at the local market. This brought in enough money to buy fertilizer, seed, and other expenses for next year’s planting season. The first crop of pineapples should be ready in January 2023. Pineapple are the major cash crop of the farm. The maize and banana crops are also doing well. Amos is able to help his family because of the farm. His brother Jimmy performs much of the labor and lives on the farm. with his wife and child. Amos has a young cousin living with him so the boy can attend school. Another cousin will come to help care for their two young daughters since his wife, Chris, is now teaching at a school some distance away. Thanks to our donors for helping this family in Zambia. They are a clear example of the tremendous potential of young people when given opportunities and a helping hand. Amos constantly expresses his appreciation for the help he has received from TakeHeart.

To our donors: thank you so much for all of your contributions! They make a huge difference, and without you none of this could have happened!

In 2021, despite COVID restrictions imposed in Zambia, the three students we currently sponsor in Nursing College are nearly complete with their studies. Collins begins his third and final year in January 2022. Mary and Memory began their first year of nursing studies in May 2021. Fees for the next year are due in April. All three are doing outstanding work. Each should be able to find good jobs after they complete school.

Kapoma School was dedicated 10 years ago, and repairs are in order. In fact, they have already begun: windows have been replaced, floors refinished, an outside wall re-plastered, and the school painted. See the photos of the updated school below!

We are investigating the cost of repairing the other old block of three classrooms, which has very narrow windows that admit little light. Older students still meet there, and unfortunately the government has made no improvements. However, following the repair the the new block, the government did sent nice office chairs for the teachers, and promised 5 desktop computers — although they are still waiting to be connected to electric power. Progress, if still slow!

A few years ago, Amos and his teacher friend James began a tutoring service to help students pass the national GCE examinations, which allow students to continue their education. They call it JAMOS. Students pay a small fee for each class (if they can afford it), and attend classes taught by Amos, James, and Amos’ wife, Chris. Normally, classes are held after regular school hours in a building they refurbished and supplied with desks provided by Take Heart. During the pandemic, JAMOS was shut down. But it has recently opened up again, and students are slowly returning. Last week, Amos met with a government official whom he hopes will visit JAMOS and authorize it to administer the GCE exams on side. This would give JAMOS more attention, and help to attract more students. The extra income from JAMOS has helped Amos and his family, as his regular salary is minimal. Here is an excerpt from a recent email he sent to Shirley:

“Jamos is on top of my agenda….it is all I wanted to do ever since and work at Jamos gives me so much satisfaction and the program is so dear to my heart because of the direct impact that it has of changing young people’s lives. Something that I love to see and makes me happy. Because this is what you did for me. You gave me an education opportunity that changed my life completely in a positive way. For me I see education as a key to improving young people’s lives. A great and golden opportunity you gave me and it is my strongest heart desire that I need to carry your good works in me forward. And Jamos proved to be a such means and an effective tool. Pray for me and for Jamos that we may find favor before God and that the Minister’s visit will yield a positive result.”

We are thrilled that the spirit of giving and service has taken hold upon the hearts of those who we have helped, and that Amos recognizes the importance of education.

We are soo grateful to all of those who have and who continue to contribute to Take Heart! Below is an update describing the good the money is doing for so many people.

Kapoma School: The well we dug, funded by a donor, now needs maintenance that will restore clean water to the school once again. The challenge is that the original teachers have left the school, leaving only two teachers and a headmaster to teach over 200 pupils each day. The government has promised to hire more teachers, but we have no direct contact with the school right now. Gilbert Mwamba checks in from time to time and sent us these photos this month (January 2021). Pupils continue to meeting both in the old building — which has not been upgraded — and in the new building, which was constructed by Take Heart. The new building needs some repair and paint, which will happen sometime this year during a school break. Gilbert will oversee the maintenance.

Scholarships: For the past 4 years, Take Heart has sponsored one of Gilbert’s twin daughters at boarding school; his kids must travel in order to attend intermediate and high school. Mary and Memory — his oldest children — finished high school in December 2020 and took the national examinations. When the results are posted later this month, they will apply to nursing college and hope to begin their nursing course in May. Nursing college usually take 3 years. Take Heart plans to cover most expenses.

For the past year, Take Heart has also sponsored Collins, Gilbert’s youngest brother, in nursing college. Fees are $1500 / year, which includes room and board as well as tuition. He also needed a laptop, uniforms, and other materials. He took his first year exams in December and has started year two of his program.

Take Heart also sponsors Boniface, the pupil whose club feet were surgically corrected courtesy of Take Heart 9 years ago. Boniface will enroll in a computer course in February 2021, sponsored by Take Heart. This course should enable him to find a stable job after he completes the one-year course. (Below is a photo of Boniface recently, and a photo from before his surgery 9 years ago.)

Finally, Take Heart sponsored the education for Amos Phiri from when he was 14 until he graduated from the University of Lusaka. Amos now teaches at a rural school, and has wanted to purchase land for a farm to enable his brother and sister — both farm laborer — to have a better life. Amos planted bananas and pineapples — long term crops — and maize, a short term crop. His brother’s younger family now lives in the small house on the farm in exchange for labor. Amos may need further assistance from time to time until the bananas and pineapples are ripe and ready for market. Amos was the first in his extended family to attend school. We hope the farm will allow his brother’s young family to attend school and have a better future. The pandemic has presented several challenges to this teacher.

Amos has 2 little girls: Shirley, born in June 2018, and Shirleen, born in September 2020. Amos paid the fees for his wife to complete college after their marriage.

Kapoma School looks good in December 2019.  It is being maintained and appreciated.

Another view of Kapoma School December 2019.  You can tell there is a drought.

The old school building is still in use.  Nothing has changed, and the government has not updated or improved it.  It still has small windows, no doors, no glass in the windows.

Collins Mwamba between Mary and Memory Mwamba, his twin nieces

Our current project in Zambia is to send Collins Mwamba to Mbala Nursing College.  Mwamba is the youngest brother of our teacher friend Gilbert Mwamba, the man we supported through teachers college many years ago.  Gilbert taught at Kapoma Primary School, which brought us there.  When we saw the great need for a new building there,  Take Heart constructed the new block at Kapoma.  Gilbert is now assistant headmaster in Luwingu Secondary School.  We have been supporting one of his twin daughters in secondary school for several years.  They will enter Grade 12 in January 2020 and will receive their certificates in December 2020.  They are hardworking girls who do well in school.  Gilbert has three younger sons as well.

The Kapoma community named the new school block the “Bob and Sherley Block” in big red letters! (We didn’t care that Sherley is not the way we spell her name.) We felt honored! The new school is such a contrast to the old three-room structure, where the older children attend classes. 60-70 young children squeeze into the desks in one room and about 40 children in the other. Despite the close quarters, they listen quietly to their teachers. We have many photos showing both younger and older children. You can see the bookshelves at the back of each classroom, holding all the materials used each day—not many for so many children!

During our visit in October 2014, we brought 400 notebooks and pencils (one for each child), a box of Obama pens (purchased locally!), along with about 70 soccer uniforms and 15 balls, with pumps and other accessories. (Soccer equipment was courtesy of Sports Gifts, a separate nonprofit organization.) This year Bob and Shirley were accompanied by their son Mark, his wife, Jolie, and 14-year-old daughter, Sarah. Mark’s family sponsors Bornface (who had club feet when we first met him) so that he can attend middle school, a boarding school several hours distant from his home by bicycle.

Teaching materials consist of one blackboard in each room from which children copy assignments. Teachers requested textbooks so that children may share with only one or two other persons. Unfortunately, there is no longer clean drinking water at the school. We promised to underwrite a new well.