Welcome to the latest edition of the Heal Project newsletter
This edition provides an update on progress at the school and the Orphanage and includes new pictures we have received from Jeannie Muluenga (at the Orphanage) and Racheal Mudenda (the Head Teacher at the school). We also talk about the challenges facing the Heal Project UK on an ongoing basis and communication with other funders. But starting with the good news:
The Heal Project School
Our latest update from Racheal included the following news – ‘The third term began on 7th September. This will be the final term for our Grade Seven learners as they prepare to sit their final examinations in October this year’
‘During the second term we held several exciting activities at school:
Oldies Day : Learners dressed in old people’s attire.
No Bags Day : Learners brought their books in carrier bags , boxes and other creative containers instead of school bags.
Careers Day: This was the highlight. Learners came dressed as their dream careers – nurses, doctors, police officers, engineers, teachers and footballers.’
The other great news is that the extra money that we sent for the repairs to the buildings as detailed in our last newsletter has been used to sort these problems. We include pictures of the classroom that lost its roof in a storm, now usable again as a new roof has been put in place, and of the repairs to the wall that was subsiding which has now been stabilized. Money was also sent to help buy books for the change in Zambian syllabus and a set of atlases.
Racheal commented ‘Thanks to your incredible generosity, our learners now have a new classroom where they can learn comfortably. We appreciate your continued support. You are making a real difference in the lives of our learners.’
Just a note for any new readers of our newsletter – the school is educating 315 children who would probably otherwise not be in school, even with a state education system in Zambia. Four year groups attend in the morning and are then given lunch, with another four year groups then arriving, getting lunch and then having their classes. The lunch ensures the children are fed and malnutrition is rare – an achievement given these are some of the most economically deprived children in Lusaka.
At the Heal Project UK we send £2,000 per month to meet costs including paying the 5 teachers and other staff. Whilst Racheal is grateful of our contribution it is the work of these dedicated staff that makes it all possible. It remains a happy and safe place for the children to develop and learn and the trustees remain committed to supporting this hugely worthwhile operation.
The Heal Project Orphanage
More good news – the Orphanage continues to thrive. Jeannie Muluenga, who founded the home, has recently sent some pictures, some of which we have included below. The rains were good in Zambia this year which has led to a good crop of plants which are used to feed the children or sold at market.
Again a note for those new to the Heal Project UK – we send £1,500 per month to the Orphanage to fund all the living costs for the 35 children, 19 of whom have medical needs, and ensure they enjoy a happy, healthy and fulfilling life.
Other news:
Two of the trustees recently attended the funeral of James Clark, a businessman and philanthropist who has been very important in the original development and recent refurbishment of the Orphanage. His charitable funds paid for the wall around the Orphanage compound and also for the work improving the quality of the accommodation at the home. We are very grateful for all of his input and generosity over the years.
The good news is that he left funds in a charitable trust (the Standerwick Trust) and we have been in contact with the trustees and hope that they will continue to fund projects at the orphanage and perhaps extend more support to the school. Obviously, we will have to work with them closely to ensure we continue to receive their support, but early meetings have clearly shown that we both have a real interest in supporting the great work done in Zambia.
The Standerwick Trust is more likely to support capital projects but is also willing to look at bursaries for children leaving the home and trying to make their way in life, particularly university fees and costs. We have tentatively discussed the provision of solar panels at the school as something they might support. Two of their trustees are visiting Lusaka in October and will meet Jeannie Muluenga at the Orphanage, as well as meeting Helen Ayles and the local accountant. They have a list of works that were outstanding from the major refurbishment that James Clark funded which will continue to improve the lives of the children.
Our Funding position:
The Heal Project UK needs to send £3,500 a month to Zambia. Regular giving can be as low as £1,500 in a month meaning that we have to rely on one-off donations by generous supporters or legacies. The trustees are desperate to push up the regular giving to at least £ 3,000 a month to allow the charity to operate on a more stable basis. We do need new supporters – please consider setting up a standing order if you want to help this hugely worthwhile project.
We do have supporters that provide funds on an annual basis and we ask that in these financially difficult times you do not overlook the charity and give as generously as you can afford. Gift aid recovery enhances the value of your gifts substantially.
Finally, we also ask that you consider the Heal Project UK in your will – a large legacy has been a saving grace in recent years but that is now all been used. This is a hugely important source of funds to enable us to build up reserves to meet unexpected costs.
Who we are:
The Heal Project UK is a UK registered charity No 1120416. Its main purpose is to support the activities of the Heal Project Zambia, which runs the School and Orphanage in Lusaka as described above.
The charity has no employees and no admin costs – other than fees for transferring funds all monies are sent on a monthly basis to Zambia. As mentioned previously a total of £3,500 (school and orphanage) is sent per month, with an extra amount at Christmas to provide for bonuses for the staff and some treats for the children.
We are also looking for more trustees so if you have been a supporter that would like to take a more significant role or just feel this is a cause you would like to support please let us know.
The Heal Project UK has a JustGiving page and this can be used for one-off donations.
If you wish to set up a standing order please email the trustees on Nickff6706@outlook.com and bank details will be sent to you.