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This August the Hunt family is volunteering in Lusaka, the capital of Zambia, with Mission Direct.
Zambia is one of the poorest countries in the world. It ranks 150th out of 169 countries on the UN Human Development Index-the UK ranks 26! Over 60% of the population lives on less than 60p a day. Infant mortality rates amongst the worst in sub Saharan Africa .One in five mothers is HIV positive. Sadly HIV has decimated the population. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) estimates that Zambia has about 1,25 million orphans, or one in every five children, and of those orphans about 50 percent are 10 years-old or younger.
The main aim of our visit is to increase the school facilities in the slum area of Garden Hill of Lusaka by building additional class rooms and toilets, part of an ongoing volunteer building program to provide educational opportunities for these vulnerable and disadvantaged children. We will definitely be getting our hands dirty and desperately need your help to buy building materials and equipment for the school. All money you give will go directly to the projects we are involved in.
We will also be helping with a variety of other Mission Direct Projects in the area including:
· Fountain of Hope - A charity taking street children and reintegrating them into education and family life.
· House of Moses-The only baby centre in Zambia. It receives and cares for over 300 newly born babies each year who have been abandoned, re-homing where possible.
· Kumbaya, a School & Feeding centre located in a desperately poor shanty town. It provides teaching and a meal a day for over 300 children.
· Chilenje Church Maid Training Centre-Training widows and orphans to help girls get jobs in service.
Naturally, as volunteers we will be paying all our own travel and living expenses however this do not cover the costs of building materials and resources for projects that we will be involved in.
Update at 15th April 2011
A huge thank you to all those who have attended and donated so generously at the Boulton Chilli and Quiz Night on 2nd April in The Church of the Good Shepherd and at Norman and Lily's Garden Party on 9th April.
A massive thank you also goes to all those good humoured people who have donated so generously after discovering 10 pink flamingos in their gardens, planted by some mysterious group of Flamingo Wranglers. For those who have not yet been Flocked, please beware, the wranglers are still in the village. Update June 11th Golf Competition:A beautiful sunny day, golf for all the family and some star performances. A big thank you to pro golfer Paul Brown and his family as well as all who supported the day for making it fun and raising an amazing £565
Update July 13th- Music Marathon Chawton Primary School: Music all day from pupils, parents and staff. Over £300 raised Fabulous!
LAST EVENT 23rd July - Family Triathalon.
We plan to do a family triathlon covering 80,000 metres (walking, cycling and swimming) this represents the number of Zambians who die each year of HIV. Tom is practicing hard and aiming to swim 4 km, William has committed to cycle 18km.
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So please dig deep and donate now, we really appreciate your support.
Lots of love,
Julian, Jacky,Tom and Willsx
