The Times of Zambia
Princess Kasune brings hope to Shampande School
By SAM PHIRI, August 10
THIRTEEN kilometres from Chibombo Boma in Kabwe rural, almost 100 kilometres from Zambia's capital Lusaka is a heart-rending reality of school life, which if told would instantly be dismissed as fable.
In the scorching sun, strong winds unsettling the dust on a gravel road leading to Shampande Middle Basic School, children aged between seven and 13 years trek to class bare foot, the more fortunate ones in worn-out slippers.
In groups of four, five or six, the pupils are accompanied by elderly persons, who have come to be known as guardians.
Most of these children have lost one or both parents to HIV/AIDS.
Hunger and poverty looms large around them, but the children seem not to mind at all.
Perhaps they have not had a privilege to compare their own life with that of other children their age in schools where all child rights are emphasised and respected.
For the Shampande pupils, that is their way of life.
They trudge along, their hands clutching onto worn-out plastic bags which serve as school bags.
On average each day, the children endure a walk of more than 26 kilometres to and from school.
A mango tree has become a permanent location for the Grade six-class. About 60 pupils sit on the bare ground as they take instruction from their teacher.
Desks are a privilege only for a few. The rest sit on small stacks of bricks and use their laps as desktops.
A black board is propped up against a chalet, which serves as the only alternative shelter during the rainy season.
Dry coughs are a prominent rhythm among the children complementing the dry windy and dusty open environment.
?The situation is challenging but the children and the teachers have reached a point of acceptance for out of the little we have, we can make big things. We as teachers have great hope that very soon this school will be upgraded looking at how seriously the Government is taking the education sector,? says headteacher Mr Tomas Banda.
Since 1967, the school which caters for 410 pupils only has 1x3 classroom block and two offices.
The pathetic sight of the school prompted daughter of the Lenje soil, Princess Kasune Zulu founder of Fountain of Life and author of the book ?Warrior Princess? to visit the school and make a difference in the children's lives.
However, it was the story of Harrison Musaka, a Grade four pupil that helped change the face and name of Shampande School.
Harrison's physical disability caught the attention of Mark Seymour co-founder of an organisation called Fountain of Life.
In a vividly hard and agonising way, Harrison limps up to 18 km every day to get his right to education. He has never known the comfort of wearing a shoe -- a disposition which cut to Mark's heart.
Harrison was in the same grade as Mark's own son. He has a big dream that keeps him going despite the challenges he is facing.
?I want to be a doctor,? he says shyly.
With that, on July 29, this year Princess Kasune Zulu accompanied by Fountain of Life members Garry Englund, and Mark Seymour, unveiled a donation of school furniture and building materials all worth K50 million, a gesture the children and their guardians will forever remember.
The excitement was very evident as the guardians of the pupils took a personal initiative to mould bricks towards the construction of a 1 x 3 classroom block.
?The children and their parent's passion for education is simply breath taking. You can see a glowing hope for a bright and successful future as evidenced by the harsh conditions they have to endure daily to get their right to education. We have to hold hands with them to keep their dreams alive.
?We know that the Government is working tirelessly to improve the education standards of our country, but we also are alive to the fact that the resources are limited. That is why as Fountain of Life we have come in to donate these 100 desks, door and window frames for the new 1x 3 classroom block,? said Princess Kasune Zulu amid prolonged ululation and cheers from the gathering.
Chief Liteta could not hide his joy though he expressed worry that some traditional practices had continued to disadvantage the girl child especially.
?I am happy with our daughter Princess and the Fountain of Life's special visit in my chiefdom today. This shows how committed she is towards developing the education sector of our land.
?But let me make it clear that I am not happy with some old traditional practices that have continued to disadvantage the girl child and are retarding such developments. For instance sexual cleansing- Where are we going with this deadly practice in an HIV/AIDS generation?? Chief Liteta asked.
District Commissioner Philip Chabakale was equally overwhelmed with the gesture by the Fountain of life.
Colonel Chabakale said Government welcomed help from individuals and well-meaning organisations like the Fountain of Life to develop the two key sector s -- Education and health.
?Your gesture gives a very clear testimony and understanding of how much you treasure education for the needy undoubtedly this gesture will not only boost the pupils' morale to learn but will also motivate them to attend class,? he explained.
Princess Kasune Zulu, a world renowned HIV/AIDS advocate, educator and activist who once served as an ambassador for the World Vision's HIV/AIDS HOPE Initiative, and now with the Fountain of Life, is complementing Government effort to develop school infrastructure in Shampande.
