tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11688173853411591302024-03-19T01:44:08.483-06:00The Simon Poultney FoundationThe Simon Poultney Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09571545879690734719noreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168817385341159130.post-79135141682098235342012-02-25T08:55:00.002-07:002012-02-25T08:58:18.788-07:00Volunteer Nurse Appreciated<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfd-OpDjha784zg3h00_6Tms819MmVwryMCkjoIoeSGww3Qf0BoH3I82Z24JZFrp-wVzoPr4mqderjqx7f3j6DQV96CVLpUd7m39B8zYzFVAuKgzmvhbR_CodaemkRimTQni7DpB367-g/s1600/2012-02-052.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713103028747852418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfd-OpDjha784zg3h00_6Tms819MmVwryMCkjoIoeSGww3Qf0BoH3I82Z24JZFrp-wVzoPr4mqderjqx7f3j6DQV96CVLpUd7m39B8zYzFVAuKgzmvhbR_CodaemkRimTQni7DpB367-g/s400/2012-02-052.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div>It was wonderful to have Susan from Woodstock, Illinois with us for a month during which she worked at Kakulu Rural Health Center, the clinic in our Zambian community. She contributed a great deal to the community during that time and we appreciate all that she did. Susan is seen here with the hard-working front line staff of the clinic. </div>The Simon Poultney Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09571545879690734719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168817385341159130.post-34134891668077869282011-09-19T14:20:00.006-06:002011-09-19T14:34:07.644-06:00On-line Donations<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRbUg4Fm6pUu-6Ju3vnbV6ojzO11Xi_jwsoq0JJUK0-y98noGr9gGprKp3WO4FENwritmdOI4aQ8ZGGnvB8Mt9FWfZVA1nvt7jLEBKWtECB4PKCc7BCtiKPbLuHvyoNNcAMaekTyBmc8Q/s1600/VMG+Logo.png"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 211px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 85px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654170596621901730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRbUg4Fm6pUu-6Ju3vnbV6ojzO11Xi_jwsoq0JJUK0-y98noGr9gGprKp3WO4FENwritmdOI4aQ8ZGGnvB8Mt9FWfZVA1nvt7jLEBKWtECB4PKCc7BCtiKPbLuHvyoNNcAMaekTyBmc8Q/s400/VMG+Logo.png" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><div>We are pleased to advise that on-line donations to the Foundation can now be made through Virgin Money Giving. Whilst this is primarily relative to UK donors it can be used by anyone from around the world. That being said related tax credits (e.g. Canada and USA) would not apply though this sytem.<br /><br />Note that eligible UK donaors can opt for Gift Aid which will provide an additional 25% of your donation to the benefit of SPF.<br /><br />We will appreciate any money that you can give to our many projects which are listed on the VMG page. A little amount goes a long way in Africa.<br /><br />Make a donation via <a href="http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/charities/TheSimonPoultneyFoundation">Virgin Money Giving</a></div></div>The Simon Poultney Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09571545879690734719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168817385341159130.post-63341763231961867252011-08-18T05:28:00.001-06:002011-09-03T05:36:10.702-06:00Zambia - Special Gift<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt46dCzpaMVJN5kDDqoayEwdBmiKA-9GKa5IXjJCYxObktcVf2N61n-7-v3v3RAWUh_WgnlM-vnU2TSmdaOCAG9Ld8aeMSjw7axSGeHrb19Td80QpGKPva0nmp6gZ1kM2IqPfhYDxdj4E/s1600/2011-08-043.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648094660026150738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt46dCzpaMVJN5kDDqoayEwdBmiKA-9GKa5IXjJCYxObktcVf2N61n-7-v3v3RAWUh_WgnlM-vnU2TSmdaOCAG9Ld8aeMSjw7axSGeHrb19Td80QpGKPva0nmp6gZ1kM2IqPfhYDxdj4E/s400/2011-08-043.jpg" /></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif-036KqNTgJ-VT-BYwb09n3FMNTIq3j9faGU50H5lqzngLqAcC1HZ6m1KvJA_z9csbe_H_LjtLkeyEVTetlvw4Gc0nI13dVMH7xbmeryPV1itUjkhu3f4nvriCx3YelLhdh7OehGD9_Y/s1600/2011-08-042.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648094659413981074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif-036KqNTgJ-VT-BYwb09n3FMNTIq3j9faGU50H5lqzngLqAcC1HZ6m1KvJA_z9csbe_H_LjtLkeyEVTetlvw4Gc0nI13dVMH7xbmeryPV1itUjkhu3f4nvriCx3YelLhdh7OehGD9_Y/s400/2011-08-042.jpg" /></a>
<br />Members of the Shumba Team in June decided to buy Costain, the head teacher at Chilunga Community School, a bicycle in recognition of all the hard work that he does for the community. Today he received it – a sturdy Buffalo bicycle made by World Bicycle Relief especially for Zambian conditions.
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<br />The Simon Poultney Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09571545879690734719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168817385341159130.post-1704509212192248972011-05-08T14:09:00.000-06:002011-05-10T14:12:40.415-06:00Pancakes and Accolades<span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjnxtiWHhfoBymR7kMsDC-qxXqbSz-6kfkKSLDkbb3ZDHonDCWJlLvj86T3x55cANrnr937Uulw_w6wH_8tLsQ2b1kS_iU6mgwLg0LfFve2V-Qh3m_fGpIQRxMquCstJK1hlaZ_GUF_Ms/s1600/2011-04-021.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605182721677722946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjnxtiWHhfoBymR7kMsDC-qxXqbSz-6kfkKSLDkbb3ZDHonDCWJlLvj86T3x55cANrnr937Uulw_w6wH_8tLsQ2b1kS_iU6mgwLg0LfFve2V-Qh3m_fGpIQRxMquCstJK1hlaZ_GUF_Ms/s400/2011-04-021.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">It is always gratifying to read what others have to say about the work that we are doing in Zambia and for encouraging others to support us. Alyssa is a very special young Canadian woman who recently stopped in for a visit during her hitch-hiking and biking tour of Africa – all on her own !<br /><br /><a href="http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Zambia/Kapiri-Mposhi/blog-609222.html">http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Zambia/Kapiri-Mposhi/blog-609222.html</a><br /><br />She also cooked us a wonderful pancake breakfast – a delicious treat ! </span><br /></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></div></span>The Simon Poultney Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09571545879690734719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168817385341159130.post-40849372249272065172011-04-27T14:04:00.001-06:002011-05-10T14:08:50.045-06:00Connected - At Last !<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhslEASS5QGZq52oSz73JTGrxVSqGf7Lley68v77ud65Pmp2WUTaKFQ-Dfk-p_fEC3K8ymoHry_JVcgCHIICMu8S-D4xBsM4qv5ZQQSKv9uafmQd9AxZrFfGk3rsYi-ymt9UXbNxUQha1k/s1600/2011-04-075.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605181306760409218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhslEASS5QGZq52oSz73JTGrxVSqGf7Lley68v77ud65Pmp2WUTaKFQ-Dfk-p_fEC3K8ymoHry_JVcgCHIICMu8S-D4xBsM4qv5ZQQSKv9uafmQd9AxZrFfGk3rsYi-ymt9UXbNxUQha1k/s400/2011-04-075.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div><span style="font-family:arial;">My new best friend – the satellite dish that enables me to communicate in high speed with the outside world from the farm in Zambia. The technology still boggles the mind – signal goes from my laptop, through the dish to a satellite 30,000 km above the earth, then back down to the hub just outside London, UK then to whoever I am communicating with. Of course the signal goes in reverse when a communication is coming into me. Gordon</span>The Simon Poultney Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09571545879690734719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168817385341159130.post-47567538281264418852011-02-03T04:19:00.000-07:002011-02-08T04:24:27.652-07:00Fresh Chicken for Supper<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKA9L3zKGeEKqZK0q09-QU3jD7ZvdAnxUUAAP7Ty691Vrm8k1NPnL5c6DRjMSX5zVVbpQVQSE9Lp6ItXVRQfeI5P9hGoAAK9ApQbZgwBSNr3KrUnB9KiHMeD7Nkih8RCBpk2XsKEST-VU/s1600/2011-01-083.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571277574689851090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKA9L3zKGeEKqZK0q09-QU3jD7ZvdAnxUUAAP7Ty691Vrm8k1NPnL5c6DRjMSX5zVVbpQVQSE9Lp6ItXVRQfeI5P9hGoAAK9ApQbZgwBSNr3KrUnB9KiHMeD7Nkih8RCBpk2XsKEST-VU/s400/2011-01-083.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1av04Y_gYObjIoY1SV_0jqmcApwa1ED3c04CjAcqnf9vp56A9HXBG6LRN_s3aUcAqnhB8DkNOwKMj4UjN_rDFX2bRTDobmDQ3vbOvu_KwaGPArNVsQL9CUVPRsOnYpW6NGtj_eOhd6YE/s1600/2011-01-086.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571277570934753218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1av04Y_gYObjIoY1SV_0jqmcApwa1ED3c04CjAcqnf9vp56A9HXBG6LRN_s3aUcAqnhB8DkNOwKMj4UjN_rDFX2bRTDobmDQ3vbOvu_KwaGPArNVsQL9CUVPRsOnYpW6NGtj_eOhd6YE/s400/2011-01-086.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO0fxthUPih347S6vzQYYA5bs01eSbIDsFpg9aRMrrxlWUOFyjLCvl6Ds-hLUqb-czBxTF1zsLflnDaiImSy8S8ji9Ud8_KZUzbb8RMB2aXEoehOMUgSjYWhcG9Kz1Q2BLj-ozlZMqvXs/s1600/2011-01-107.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571277570178921042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO0fxthUPih347S6vzQYYA5bs01eSbIDsFpg9aRMrrxlWUOFyjLCvl6Ds-hLUqb-czBxTF1zsLflnDaiImSy8S8ji9Ud8_KZUzbb8RMB2aXEoehOMUgSjYWhcG9Kz1Q2BLj-ozlZMqvXs/s400/2011-01-107.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Still no solution for high speed Internet connection so it has been another couple of weeks since I was able to do a posting. Things have continued to go well and I have been having a busy and productive time. Apart from daily work for the farm I have been taking our English friend, Ann, to visit different aspects of the SPF project.<br /><br />One of the highlights was a visit to the Chilunga area - another section of the community. It is across the Mulungushi river which bi-sects the community and the river is running too deep at the moment to cross in a vehicle. So we had to park at the river, cross on a wooden foot bridge made from poles cut from the bush and then walk the 4 km to the school which is the focal point of the community. The school is a community school which caters for children on that side of the river from Grade 1 to 7. There was only one teacher (out of 4) with a small class of about 12 kids in session so we sat in on the lesson. Apparently a lot of kids - and the other teachers - were unable to get to school that morning as there had been a heavy storm during the night and other rivers in the area were flooded. Anyway it was good to see the place again and we enjoyed the walk there and back in the sunshine. On our way back, at a village near the river, we were presented with a live chicken - to be taken home to eat ! Ann was thrilled and got to carry it under her arm back to the car !<br /><br />We also visited some of the people that have benefitted from the micro loan fund - always good to see how they are doing with their small businesses or farming as a result of being able to borrow money to get started. That evening we had supper with Banda and Tsitsi who had cooked the chicken we had been given - it was very tasty with the sadza/nshima !<br /><br />Ann flew out of Ndola on Sunday January 30 to head back to UK. She thoroughly enjoyed her stay in Zambia as a whole and particularly at Kakulu. She is sure that she will be back sometime in the near future to do some actual project work with SPF. It will be great to have her as part of our UK "team".<br /><br />Three young men - Kody, Ryan and BJ - arrived safely from Canada today. It is great to see them here and the community is going to be very excited to see them moving around exploring everything and inter-acting with the people. They are here for most of February so it will be a busy time.<br /><br /></span><br /><div></div></div></div>The Simon Poultney Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09571545879690734719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168817385341159130.post-65496872907760249942011-01-19T05:40:00.002-07:002011-01-19T05:43:23.606-07:00Zambia - January 19<span style="font-family:arial;">My first couple of weeks in Zambia have gone well overall. I spent a few days in Lusaka as I had several things to get done there. It was quite tough getting adjusted to the time change and the weather change - such a contrast coming from minus 20C and snow in Canada to plus 28C and rain in Zambia.<br /><br />I was very glad to leave Lusaka and get to Kakulu on Thursday January 6. Great to be back in the community and to my final destination, after the last few weeks of intensity in preparing for the move here. The farm is very quiet and peaceful so I am lucky to have such a nice place to live.<br /><br />I have been settling into the new routine and starting the work that I need to get done. Mike is very pleased to have me here and is already keeping me busy with many tasks. The crops are looking great and everything in full swing with the tobacco harvest under way and ongoing maintenance on the maize (corn).<br /><br />I have been able to spend a bit of time in the community catching up with a few people and starting to asses what the immediate priorities are for SPF. As usual I have spent quite a bit of time with Pastor Justin who has brought me up to date on a number of issues. I will give more details of things as I get to visit places and people to see myself what's going on.<br /><br />So far I have visited the clinic and Sungula school. Ednah has been transferred to another clinic in the region and a new sister-in-charge has been brought in. She was actually here before, in 2006 standing in for Ednah during her long leave, so is familiar with the community. Things are ticking along okay at the clinic - nothing major to report and I've got a list of a few things to consider for us to work on.<br /><br />At the school I found that Kirby has been replaced as head teacher. (Kirby and Stella are still living at the school - she is still teaching there and the Ministry of Education is trying to find a placement for him although he is keen to retire he tells me.) The new head teacher seems to be good although we only had a short meeting this first time round. We had a quick tour of the school grounds. They have got to roof-level on another teacher house - similar to the one SPF/Taylor built in 2008 - this new one funded by the government. No other major developments at the school but, again, a few items on the list to consider for future work.<br /><br />Ann Hendry is the niece of a good friend of ours and recently graduated from university in England with a degree in Environmental Science. She spent a couple of months in Kitwe - a city North of here - at the end of 2010 on a student exchange program. During that time she did a research project on the effects of the copper mining activities on the water quality of the rivers in that area. After going to South Africa for the Christmas holidays she came back to Zambia to spend a couple of weeks with us to learn about SPF work in the community. She is interested in doing what she can to help the Foundation once she goes back to UK.<br /><br />As predicted in my last posting Internet access is very sporadic so further updates will be done as the opportunity allows. Even e-mail is a struggle so I will respond to messages as quickly as I can. We are working on some other options to improve Internet access at the farm so hopefully something will come about soon.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Cheers, Gordon</span>The Simon Poultney Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09571545879690734719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168817385341159130.post-56375803935477036262011-01-01T04:38:00.000-07:002011-01-03T04:39:58.000-07:00Happy New Year 2011My trip from Canada to Zambia went well. Thanks to Milt for driving me down to Calgary on Thursday December 30 and dropping me at the airport. Although I had a few hours to wait until flight time it was good to relax after the past several weeks of hectic activity as I packed up and prepared to leave. Also a chance to make a few last minute phone calls to some people. The flight left on time at 8:30 pm and was full, but it went smoothly and I was able to get 2-3 hours of sleep on and off.<br /><br />We arrived at London Heathrow at Noon their time on Friday. Fortunately I only had 5 hours to wait for the next flight and didn’t have to change terminals. It would have been nice to get out of the building for some fresh air but it was foggy and rainy so I didn’t bother with all the formalities of having to check out through immigration and then back in. As it was I did a lot of walking in the terminal to stretch the body out, in between making calls to a few people in the UK to catch up with them and wish them a happy new year. Also had pint of English beer for old time sake – and to celebrate new year in Hong Kong at that particular time !<br /><br />The flight for Lusaka left on time at 6:30 p.m. – this time the flight only at about 70% full. Initially I was in an aisle seat next to another person on one side of the plane – a Boeing 767 so just two seats next to the window. I then moved across to the middle row of three seats as they were all open and thought that I would be able to stretch right out for a sleep. About 30 minutes after take-off the flight director came to me and asked if I would mind moving up to Executive/Club Class – she wanted to give the row of three seats to a woman with a small boy as they only had two seats. What a question – I couldn’t move fast enough ! There were only 7 people in total in that section so I got two seats to myself – what a blessing having the extra space with a foot rest and further tilt of the seat, as well as fancy headphones ! The food was no different to what was served to the “back” but more enjoyable in the comfort. After dinner I slept for a couple of hours. I happened to wake up just before mid-night UK time and was given a (real) glass of champagne to welcome the new year in – along with a few others who were awake in executive class. (Nothing much happened back in economy class as the lights were off and most people were sleeping !) So although nothing spectacular it was still fun to bid 2010 farewell and spend a bit of time wondering what 2011 has in store for me.<br /> <br />I only managed to doze for another couple of hours before we landed in Lusaka right on time at 6:30 a.m. local time – 9 hours time difference to Alberta so I had been on the go for 36 hours ! No problems getting through formalities and Chris Rogers was there to meet me. We went to his place for a great egg and bacon breakfast and a decent cup of tea before he dropped me off at Bob and Mary’s house. (They are away in the USA on furlough until end of January so I have the place to myself. Well except that they left their little dog, Nick, so I have a bit of company.) I took a bit of time to do some unpacking then had a much-needed shower followed by a snooze for a couple of hours. Then ventured out in the vehicle – no problem getting back to driving on the left had side of the road ! – to do some grocery shopping. The traffic was relatively light being a public holiday and the two malls I visited were not too crowded so it went well.<br /><br />Most of the day has been cloudy with some signs – including thunder – of rain but nothing materialised here. It was 25C when we landed this morning and was up to 31C by the afternoon when I went out. Now, early evening, it has cooled off to 23C – which is actually very pleasant since there is a cool breeze blowing. As I write there are the bangs of fireworks going off around the neighbourhood – people obviously still celebrating new year tonight !<br /><br />As I commented on Facebook yesterday (and many times before), flying always amazes me. That 200-300 people can get inside a metal cylinder, get off the ground, cruise through the air to half-way round the world, and then land on the ground again is always a miracle to me ! When I am up at 35,000 feet with just the throb of the engines outside, it seems so surreal to me.<br /><br />Anyway I hope that you had a great new year celebration wherever you happened to be. In case you don’t already have it my Zambian mobile number is (260) 976-198-207 if you need to get hold of me by voice or by text message. (260 is the Zambia country code).<br /><br />As usual, access to the Internet is going to be sporadic. E-mailing should be no problem on a regular basis with a cellular Internet stick but access to the web to do blog and FB updates will have to wait until I am in a town and can connect to high speed.<br /><br />Cheers, GordonThe Simon Poultney Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09571545879690734719noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168817385341159130.post-75597796474004868142010-11-12T18:34:00.004-07:002010-11-12T19:15:14.018-07:00SPF Supporter - Elaine Duchesne<span style="font-family:arial;">Over the past 3 years, Elaine Duchesne from Stony Plain has joined us in encouraging the Kukulu community. Elaine's main focus has been in working with the women. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Some days have found her painting toe nails under a tree with about 100 other women who wanted their nails painted. Other times, she has engaged in deep conversation about life in general or many questions about the differences between Canada and Africa. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">She has contributed to Sunday morning worship services as she has shared and provided music for the service. Elaine plays guitar and piano and sings - so she can adapt to almost anything. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid3-1TGAULo59HTFgjZDiwa-hKRLKg4Bth-SAxn_qJZbOZAuNpr0La3XFtlthIVaWwRTiyfETeaxAbatb1tubaHF7USdr8UWa8pGkkKtpLLv1NH2-FrKKrQxDo3O4GIRXEVvhdzDRUl00/s1600/elaine-01.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538843615521807730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid3-1TGAULo59HTFgjZDiwa-hKRLKg4Bth-SAxn_qJZbOZAuNpr0La3XFtlthIVaWwRTiyfETeaxAbatb1tubaHF7USdr8UWa8pGkkKtpLLv1NH2-FrKKrQxDo3O4GIRXEVvhdzDRUl00/s400/elaine-01.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvs2AL6zsS1haPgYev48lEyXDpfe8Vtnv8_RtHybOg0l1FUMFcbH8Y3lrr2G4SWdegV6VHt6uhQz8vMtTBbJf2T0dvpAmIF6jYzFE0BHKWpOkDHStFtggzrcwCblRi5pH3nvIj1-Sj668/s1600/elaine-05.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538843607101712130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvs2AL6zsS1haPgYev48lEyXDpfe8Vtnv8_RtHybOg0l1FUMFcbH8Y3lrr2G4SWdegV6VHt6uhQz8vMtTBbJf2T0dvpAmIF6jYzFE0BHKWpOkDHStFtggzrcwCblRi5pH3nvIj1-Sj668/s400/elaine-05.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFsQ6I9s_SxuKWRke9ARiMos7adMuUwwB7A5sOdfF61A9Rfp8VEcdBBygczBFF_BG6ImFXfny29HjnOwkMX7wFjOgTXjgB_BHnQu7p4V4PgfcEvRuIfRpyyMb0izQRZ4uIF7S4xmZ-8yQ/s1600/elaine-07.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538843602275224066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFsQ6I9s_SxuKWRke9ARiMos7adMuUwwB7A5sOdfF61A9Rfp8VEcdBBygczBFF_BG6ImFXfny29HjnOwkMX7wFjOgTXjgB_BHnQu7p4V4PgfcEvRuIfRpyyMb0izQRZ4uIF7S4xmZ-8yQ/s400/elaine-07.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div></div><div><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">This past year, she gathered children together to learn some fun songs on a hot April morning - the children loved it as they learned new songs with the Mazungu (white person).<br /></span><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzWAJLMZwQ4qocycB1cYkHCCiTez_g6X2rSg0e8qlbhVbA1M-EnIphjqoNXqyuqtXQPsURfAS_PvZn7GawspLREpdunrzw3tdfzPjncq6kjA14kdTCL973vwVwUBkY27xeTUMN_SuDL6U/s1600/elaine-06.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538843603008124354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzWAJLMZwQ4qocycB1cYkHCCiTez_g6X2rSg0e8qlbhVbA1M-EnIphjqoNXqyuqtXQPsURfAS_PvZn7GawspLREpdunrzw3tdfzPjncq6kjA14kdTCL973vwVwUBkY27xeTUMN_SuDL6U/s400/elaine-06.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1rye7RX1HlzUUZXqQqFzwHkNjuDtPBKFnjsnzFosuHVQU00x86HrGsK6O0WIVzwRCg1KyXAYGyxYay8P2vz5TvySAM3QxuJ5wdG_yvbh9oIaC5xfOmF3s6QCT-wk-rRbzvylMyql6kEE/s1600/elaine-04.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538843601683520402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1rye7RX1HlzUUZXqQqFzwHkNjuDtPBKFnjsnzFosuHVQU00x86HrGsK6O0WIVzwRCg1KyXAYGyxYay8P2vz5TvySAM3QxuJ5wdG_yvbh9oIaC5xfOmF3s6QCT-wk-rRbzvylMyql6kEE/s400/elaine-04.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">When she returns to Canada - she starts making plans for the next trip. At this time, that will be returning in 2012 and is encouraging others to join her !</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Thanks Elaine for your wonderful contribution to our efforts to "empower people in community" - you are much appreciated. Everyone looks forward to your next visit to Kakulu.</span><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>The Simon Poultney Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09571545879690734719noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168817385341159130.post-31231259246491469122010-10-24T19:30:00.000-06:002010-11-02T19:31:56.966-06:00Halloween Excess<span style="font-family:arial;">Halloween .... the next spending frenzy is in progress. It is estimated that $ 1.5 billion (that's $ 1,500 million) is spent on Halloween just in Canada - for candy, costumes and pumpkins ! At SPF we need $ 360 a year to support one African orphan or $ 800 a year to provide high school education for an African girl ....</span>The Simon Poultney Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09571545879690734719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168817385341159130.post-56001179721201364612010-08-28T07:58:00.003-06:002010-08-28T08:04:11.489-06:00TED Talk About Aid to AfricaThis is a TED Talk well worth watching as it puts aid to Africa into perspective and affirms that how SPF is doing its work in Zambia is the better approach<br /><br /><a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/andrew_mwenda_takes_a_new_look_at_africa.html">http://www.ted.com/talks/andrew_mwenda_takes_a_new_look_at_africa.html</a>The Simon Poultney Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09571545879690734719noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168817385341159130.post-84508882525115807272010-03-28T15:53:00.001-06:002010-07-16T16:33:58.535-06:00Zambia Internet Cafés<p class="mobile-photo" align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxiRU8tpbwe1iO5b2Q88Y0yu4JjdVaANeWhfRiCEEDZeRYVxdLLjbun6G4nn278cm07oaQtc8sNVwAhjOsN4FsDGkr0_ZXVLoKpFoLlawp84xb9ckkouS0X33DDzi4Z6j_1D2aGZ_S3Jc/s1600/2010-03-033-718438.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494625614263721842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxiRU8tpbwe1iO5b2Q88Y0yu4JjdVaANeWhfRiCEEDZeRYVxdLLjbun6G4nn278cm07oaQtc8sNVwAhjOsN4FsDGkr0_ZXVLoKpFoLlawp84xb9ckkouS0X33DDzi4Z6j_1D2aGZ_S3Jc/s320/2010-03-033-718438.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXIXrwaQred-aLbIWQxn-eLea16R6aqjN2j5BLT3C2IzgodcAyTxs8Jvg6CfJ_HgsQ0RBKxauSgxDBZVVORvV6c0PkLCcldpXOqZ8baFrL0adA8zKYFdzCK3jYSfLoWkdBRwCd0HMH0Ac/s1600/2010-03-045-719785.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494625619183928754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXIXrwaQred-aLbIWQxn-eLea16R6aqjN2j5BLT3C2IzgodcAyTxs8Jvg6CfJ_HgsQ0RBKxauSgxDBZVVORvV6c0PkLCcldpXOqZ8baFrL0adA8zKYFdzCK3jYSfLoWkdBRwCd0HMH0Ac/s320/2010-03-045-719785.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Downloading on the porch at Kanjanji, on the roadside with the Prado, in the fallow field<br />with the motorcycle !</span></p><p class="mobile-photo" align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO5widEQnM0ZIbZhkhs35IfSY_S2hIBal8I8rIaICpEaBdHD7_JLNoywJXK2mb3LZhIsONj0WAH_ppBPxCIvrHaAga6_h0ZjTXE5hp7wg1f_z4MJ1cJIZLCWIUtWAwNwLA_so0KaVmC1A/s1600/2010-05-029-720933.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494625626408576322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO5widEQnM0ZIbZhkhs35IfSY_S2hIBal8I8rIaICpEaBdHD7_JLNoywJXK2mb3LZhIsONj0WAH_ppBPxCIvrHaAga6_h0ZjTXE5hp7wg1f_z4MJ1cJIZLCWIUtWAwNwLA_so0KaVmC1A/s320/2010-05-029-720933.jpg" /></a></p><div class="Section1"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Finding a decent internet connection is always a challenge in </span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Zambia</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> and tends to be quite expensive. The Internet connections – and speed – are fairly good in the major centers so always okay when one can get to </span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Lusaka</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> – a 400km round trip though. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">In the smaller cities and towns connectivity and speed are bad. Our closest city – Kabwe – has several Internet cafes but the bandwidth is jammed and so the speed is very slow. Definitely not worth the 100 km round trip unless you have other things to do – and some time to spare !</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">I did buy an Internet stick from Zain, one of the main cellular providers, and it works well for downloading and uploading e-mail but being pay-as-you-go it is far too pricey for any web browsing. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">The challenge in our rural operating area is to find strong enough cell signal to connect and thus we ended up with some interesting localities for our own internet cafes – as seen in these photos !</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </p></div>The Simon Poultney Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09571545879690734719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168817385341159130.post-51854644903787751172010-03-25T15:05:00.000-06:002010-07-16T16:19:14.663-06:00Sungula School<div class="Section1"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">A meeting was held with the PTA to review things at the school. The new house that was built in 2008 by SPF is being lived in. They have also completed two new (pit) toilets for the students to replace the old ones which were falling into disrepair. For these they used funds raised by the community.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">They were expecting us to come with funds for further development but we explained to them that we did not have any funding available due to the downturn in donations/fundraising. Also that our priority now is to get the water supply at the school sorted out as the lack of water was huge barrier to any further construction projects. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">We also found that despite our previous requests to them the community has not been contribution to future construction projects by making the bricks that are required for building. So we advised that was another reason why we could not begin any further construction.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></span> </p></div>The Simon Poultney Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09571545879690734719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168817385341159130.post-18852128256181629222010-03-23T16:38:00.000-06:002010-07-15T16:59:09.817-06:00Micro Loan Fund<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYTUfMZaJvDAde_NRzdzcUPfx_Eit2XVFdUvKOH9XOlbf6VJXus9Eg6ACbSE0Jv-l-ZRe6Eg467xO0w358kjWPijZpnUdNqJ2HiC8O62UDLGGsIrfLAk6y4cjhMLQ5n89ENBoHSIg2fNQ/s1600/2010-03-015-716675.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494266119407704322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYTUfMZaJvDAde_NRzdzcUPfx_Eit2XVFdUvKOH9XOlbf6VJXus9Eg6ACbSE0Jv-l-ZRe6Eg467xO0w358kjWPijZpnUdNqJ2HiC8O62UDLGGsIrfLAk6y4cjhMLQ5n89ENBoHSIg2fNQ/s320/2010-03-015-716675.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWCoPqlN-i36_MlWd6FlAn0tklTz4InvksnmeZ91qCxkwoXNllqR0B67s8rO1q1Lxg1Jk2sYpc-mwhzixU7utKfFrvIWio6pdtH5Fm6JLDSV5exkjuz10oyy94x3dZ56wfVUlEEGtijBs/s1600/2010-03-001-718544.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494266123913961938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWCoPqlN-i36_MlWd6FlAn0tklTz4InvksnmeZ91qCxkwoXNllqR0B67s8rO1q1Lxg1Jk2sYpc-mwhzixU7utKfFrvIWio6pdtH5Fm6JLDSV5exkjuz10oyy94x3dZ56wfVUlEEGtijBs/s320/2010-03-001-718544.jpg" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo" align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN2QEkAHtb0DnzjOB-eL3TsCRAE5gI0egLn7VAC7nkdiEsa6_-XUZ5EWmMHeGG22hxG8ftYzzvRMiWMzRYEXPLaGAUawjkfAZ0zTMMpnlyrMDnXHE5yVzXlA__ILxMaq2UEI_fqA23XWw/s1600/2010-03-013-719698.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494266131769861746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN2QEkAHtb0DnzjOB-eL3TsCRAE5gI0egLn7VAC7nkdiEsa6_-XUZ5EWmMHeGG22hxG8ftYzzvRMiWMzRYEXPLaGAUawjkfAZ0zTMMpnlyrMDnXHE5yVzXlA__ILxMaq2UEI_fqA23XWw/s320/2010-03-013-719698.jpg" /></a></p><div class="Section1"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">A full review was done of the existing funds in two areas of the community – the Kakulu Revolving Fund and the Chilunga Revolving Fund – with the trustees. A few anomalies and misunderstandings in managing the loans was sorted out and the trustees were pleased for that guidance. That being said the funds are both performing well and providing much needed support to the community for economic development. So far there have been no defaults and all the money is accounted for. This is very pleasing as several other organizations we have spoken to in </span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Zambia</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> have attempted micro loan funds and have failed </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Much of the money was borrowed late in 2009 to buy seed and fertilizer for the new farming season so it is still outstanding. Milt and Gordon visited several fields belonging to people that had borrowed money for farming and saw that it has made a big difference to the quality of their crops, so that their yields will increase significantly.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">We also visited a few people to see and hear about the businesses that they have started through having a loan. We were also asked to attend a meeting of several other loan beneficiaries to receive their letters of appreciation and hear some of them speak of their experience with the fund.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">An additional 2.8 million Kwacha (US $ 600.00) was added to the fund bringing the total to 13 million Kwacha (US $ 2,800). With an average loan being 500,000 kwacha this means that 26 “loan units” are rotating on a 3-month cycle.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p></div>The Simon Poultney Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09571545879690734719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168817385341159130.post-49791997421257080442010-03-21T21:27:00.000-06:002010-07-15T11:32:53.377-06:00Orphans<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcZTIyhXksf9hz4Za5dj_zmHM3p0ox-NkvqR8RytK6TU5JtZWrf_hUtajCcTqkwUc5UVcMivY8KxPIY7sO7QP_jFgstmExzLAoqoWTY6ylNGDpJkD_9CPwxmqS0LpMi_tMVATw-POIYGQ/s1600/2010-05-019-700104.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493969697454531330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcZTIyhXksf9hz4Za5dj_zmHM3p0ox-NkvqR8RytK6TU5JtZWrf_hUtajCcTqkwUc5UVcMivY8KxPIY7sO7QP_jFgstmExzLAoqoWTY6ylNGDpJkD_9CPwxmqS0LpMi_tMVATw-POIYGQ/s320/2010-05-019-700104.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBGOuWvA_ifouBte0Vi0j6CM6VdlzGVodGwThUmMkTjWY2q3M54iW7wVZRfrJ78hkOZXhm_-c5oeHcCDx-3qh8kXoUNuoEBvCjns0n2sTNCWewHp59TFJNTK9KeGhgbK166ge1DIoHWTc/s1600/2010-05-023-701776.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493969698492191954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBGOuWvA_ifouBte0Vi0j6CM6VdlzGVodGwThUmMkTjWY2q3M54iW7wVZRfrJ78hkOZXhm_-c5oeHcCDx-3qh8kXoUNuoEBvCjns0n2sTNCWewHp59TFJNTK9KeGhgbK166ge1DIoHWTc/s320/2010-05-023-701776.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU9sW_HrR5NklqQgVRYyESlduThY9P7GhUfDzF7wfu2MTuS3zNXiTTva8ckYmLoYTCahT_Wk_uPoZSlcdiq9c8BS6XE2DoaLssDjf9owBQkSeJocGn3cRoWv1yvNxEKvt_ZOdlVWXpOL4/s1600/2010-05-027-702892.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493969702984319522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU9sW_HrR5NklqQgVRYyESlduThY9P7GhUfDzF7wfu2MTuS3zNXiTTva8ckYmLoYTCahT_Wk_uPoZSlcdiq9c8BS6XE2DoaLssDjf9owBQkSeJocGn3cRoWv1yvNxEKvt_ZOdlVWXpOL4/s320/2010-05-027-702892.jpg" /></a></p><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Photos of three of the orphans</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">SPF Zambia Director, Justin Kalunga, manages the orphan support program and a full review was done with him of the 22 orphans that are currently on the program as well as the accounting records for the use of the funds that we provide for monthly support. With that money we ensure that they have school uniforms, school supplies and any school fees are paid so that they can attend school. They are given food each month and if they require medical treatment that is paid for if necessary.<br /><br />Only one of the orphans has had to be removed due to poor performance and a replacement was chosen. Another of the orphans had left the community to stay with other relatives in Lusaka so he was replaced by his sister who is still living with their widowed grandmother.<br /><br />We visited several of the group at their homes to see how they are doing and were happy that their relatives are taking good care of them. We met with four of the orphans from the Chilunga area of the community who had to come across the river as we could not get the vehicle through.<br /><br />Several of the relatives asked for a group meeting which we held. During that meeting they expressed their gratitude for what we are doing to help their orphans. We also received two letters of appreciation.<br /></span></span>The Simon Poultney Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09571545879690734719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168817385341159130.post-9325338879234217622010-03-19T15:56:00.000-06:002010-07-14T16:04:32.559-06:00Construction Method Improved<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZhGrbPDIVwSxKKGJhyphenhyphenlE26aOKXhKwkWbcgnzxGvdOTuX1sq4CnVfUUruffijjzJZbvhxkyAMk0fhudJbk7yt6f9B-oAgnbu51w-uXzEzM_AOiVnTWU-w3Ia78go0Mw7JsfjM93rlARwI/s1600/2010-03-004.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493885447624135586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZhGrbPDIVwSxKKGJhyphenhyphenlE26aOKXhKwkWbcgnzxGvdOTuX1sq4CnVfUUruffijjzJZbvhxkyAMk0fhudJbk7yt6f9B-oAgnbu51w-uXzEzM_AOiVnTWU-w3Ia78go0Mw7JsfjM93rlARwI/s400/2010-03-004.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Above : a house constructed with interlocking bricks. Below : bricks made and waiting for construction</span> </div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1IfxUUUZSLn8_Mnp8G4cd3xHLsJcrVqspSHWHh6T0X_wm_ns4-lOzzZECHwVHcEjnL4i8DKDQKKEIHfe9PRAp_2roS803bxlnBEWOR1oo0G4FtLZvWY0eO44ARzpeYF9kK35e7CAxjFQ/s1600/2010-03-002.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493885443099435282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1IfxUUUZSLn8_Mnp8G4cd3xHLsJcrVqspSHWHh6T0X_wm_ns4-lOzzZECHwVHcEjnL4i8DKDQKKEIHfe9PRAp_2roS803bxlnBEWOR1oo0G4FtLZvWY0eO44ARzpeYF9kK35e7CAxjFQ/s400/2010-03-002.jpg" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Through our new friends, Bob and Mary Sendgikoski of Every Orphans Hope, who very graciously hosted us in Lusaka whenever we needed a bed for a night or more, we learnt of a new construction method that Bob has perfected for buildings on the projects he does. This uses interlocking bricks which require no cement to hold together – they simply stack on top of each other – very much like lego ! This method reduces overall cost of materials by up to 40% over the traditional method of brick and mortar and is infinitely quicker too.<br /><br />To make the bricks you need a machine with the form and he advised that we would have to put our names on a waiting list for such a machine because the demand is so high, and be prepared to spend US $ 1,500.00 on purchasing it. When we got to the farm and we describing this to Mike he told us that he had found such a machine when he bought his second farm and, not having any use for it himself, had assigned it to the scrap heap ! There we found it in perfect order except for a bit of oiling and greasing and he said that we could have it !<br /><br />Bob has also offered to have our project supervisor, Tobias aka Mr Banda, come and work with him and his crew when they are next building (in late May and June) so that he can learn how to make the bricks and then use them for construction, and implement that method for SPF projects going forward. </span></div>The Simon Poultney Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09571545879690734719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168817385341159130.post-14948956533450112832010-03-17T15:51:00.000-06:002010-07-14T15:54:47.011-06:00Base of Operations<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEira82N5vw4ygyDO2afwvYWrfzbhpD1AErWlGwS5tx5ZB4HzKDO9Mh7MaFDGqhkjCKE8aEk3NlKeezZt0hW8xsPsCQmJNSLAnH-5Xb7qB7GndhdJfwv84hHeq2_cyFLdVv6JCT607dLYcg/s1600/2010-03-007.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493883357229530050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEira82N5vw4ygyDO2afwvYWrfzbhpD1AErWlGwS5tx5ZB4HzKDO9Mh7MaFDGqhkjCKE8aEk3NlKeezZt0hW8xsPsCQmJNSLAnH-5Xb7qB7GndhdJfwv84hHeq2_cyFLdVv6JCT607dLYcg/s400/2010-03-007.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The owners of Kakulu Farms, Mike and Adriana Sandys-Thomas, who are now the only commercial farmers in the area very kindly hosted us in their home. Although they had agreed that we could continue to use the house previously owned by Simon’s uncle it was not in good enough state of repair to be used for accommodation at this time.<br /><br />The Thomases expressed their appreciation for the work that SPF is doing to assist the Kakulu community which borders their farms and where they draw all of the labour for their operations.<br /><br />They again confirmed their offer of ongoing assistance to SPF with : accommodation for SPF visitors to the project and many other general logistical needs we may have.</span>The Simon Poultney Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09571545879690734719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168817385341159130.post-4573729736649166792010-03-15T13:52:00.000-06:002010-07-14T15:51:06.110-06:00Zambia Visit – March/April 2010<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhai9Ptq9z5WF9fzajEb85pR2hJ5ojo7NBfxULQ-mXOTLmpNXc-ZMiDZdUhk9e1uGY_wKWu84nFdOwU4TxSf6ualxDB5ehibcZ5p_6XBz886odtgZQz-XbsoQyMWineThWfti9BZnWq38Y/s1600/2010-03-014.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493852629775869026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhai9Ptq9z5WF9fzajEb85pR2hJ5ojo7NBfxULQ-mXOTLmpNXc-ZMiDZdUhk9e1uGY_wKWu84nFdOwU4TxSf6ualxDB5ehibcZ5p_6XBz886odtgZQz-XbsoQyMWineThWfti9BZnWq38Y/s400/2010-03-014.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div><span style="font-family:arial;">In early March Gordon Poultney, Executive Director, and Milt Marchiel, an SPF Canada Director, flew to Zambia to visit the Isaiah Project – the Foundation’s community development project in Chibwelelo near Kapiri Mposhi.<br /><br />Milt returned to Canada in early April and during April Elaine Duchesne, another long-time SPF supporter from Canada, visited the project for two weeks.<br /><br />They all enjoyed re-connecting with many friends in the community as well as making excellent new contacts throughout Zambia.<br /><br />The entries that follow will outline what transpired during that time.</span>The Simon Poultney Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09571545879690734719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168817385341159130.post-46058264180925881332009-04-06T10:41:00.003-06:002009-04-06T10:53:33.432-06:00April 4/5 Back to Kakulu<span style="font-family:arial;">I drove up to Kakulu on Saturday arriving there at about 2:30 p.m. First call was at Pastor Justin's home where we talked for a couple of hours. Then to Falcon farm where I spent the night. On Sunday I spent the day moving around the community having several meetings. So much information came my way in such a short time it left my head spinning. Here's a summary of everything. Ask questions if you want to know anything more specific !<br /><br /><strong>Falcon Farm<br /></strong><br />Banda and Tsitsi are still living there in their little house<br />He had been engaged by the Receiver to manage the guards and keep an eye on things<br />Loveness still living there too as are Rhinos and Shadrek - although I have not seen them all yet<br />The Receiver has been supplying a bit of diesel so that they can run the generator for water but no electricity<br />The farm yard and house yard are in terrible shape as there has been no maintenance on them<br />The house is fairly reasonable but will soon start deteriorate - more below<br />The swimming pool is only half-full and very brown, part of the roof on the pool house has collapsed<br />I spent the night in my small tent pitched in Banda's yard - see photo - and had good chats with him and Tsitsi<br />Was able to get into the master bedroom at the house and us the flush toilet and have a bucket bath - luxury !<br />She cooked delicious nshima and chicken for supper and scrambled eggs with tomato and onion for breakfast !!<br />They are both well and in good spirits - asked after everyone and send their greetings</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRBNKPFzQRX157NAyNVBIWLiOm7VXLf7nC9ESoATDP9vvB8NKnKYlhFZubBXGcMYeeTV8_d-lZWNwd_Ts3IYszLwQrKHYfvr_dYBg41XINhKlMvv_WY0n0dS_j1vB_i2jTiZ5lnHnlkYk/s1600-h/2009-04-050.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321620713184797890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRBNKPFzQRX157NAyNVBIWLiOm7VXLf7nC9ESoATDP9vvB8NKnKYlhFZubBXGcMYeeTV8_d-lZWNwd_Ts3IYszLwQrKHYfvr_dYBg41XINhKlMvv_WY0n0dS_j1vB_i2jTiZ5lnHnlkYk/s400/2009-04-050.JPG" border="0" /></a> <br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Mike Sundys-Thomas, the farmer next door, has managed to buy the farm but the deal has only just been concluded and he only receives the keys as such the week after Easter<br />He does not plan to live in the Falcon house - as he is already settled into a house on another of his farms - but he intends to get everything cleaned up and repaired<br />He plans to make Falcon farm his tobacco growing center and the other two farms will primarily be for maize (corn)<br />He has said that he will allow us to use the house - free of charge - for the foreseeable future as he would rather have it being used by someone rather than sitting empty for too long<br />He now has a better understanding of what SPF is doing in the area and what our long term plans are and is keen to support us in whatever way he can - including use of tractors, trucking, mechanics and power. (He plans to have a large central generator plant to supply all three farms !)<br />He told me that the 2007/2008 season was the best he has ever had in some 20 years of farming and 2008/2009 is shaping up to be as good so he is doing well financially<br />He has big plans for expanding his operations and wants to continue buying more land when possible to further increase the output<br />Mike has graded and fixed the road from the railway line to the farms so it is wonderful now - one can clip along at 80km per hour and no potholes or bumps to dodge !!<br />The other main road into the community and down to the school is worse than ever after the heavy rainy season - have no idea why the community doesn't do some minor repairs at least.<br />Mike has offered us the use of his mail box in Kapiri to ensure that any letters that are now sent will get through to the people. (I will put details on the Blog)<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><strong>Sungula School</strong><br /><br />Kerby is on long leave this term so Stella has been acting head (principal)<br />The Taylor house is not yet lived in as there was a problem with glass for the windows. (Still haven't figured out what the reason is but will dig further when we meet with the PTA.<br />No major changes in enrolment or staffing. The grounds are looking fairly neat and tidy.<br />They are very appreciative of the desks that the Isaiah team built and all of them, but one, are holding up well. (I did not see them myself but will when I go back.)<br />Sadly Mr Chanda lost his youngest daughter - still quite a baby - to malaria just three weeks ago. I spent an hour with him and his family to pay my respects.<br />There was a soccer game in full swing at the school on Sunday afternoon with one team all wearing the Spruce Grove uniforms ! The balls we donated last year are looking very worn out so the ones we have brought this time will be most welcome, I'm sure.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Glad Tidings Church</strong><br /><br />I met with Mike on Sunday morning and the meeting went longer than I thought but still by Noon I thought that I would make it for part of Pastor Justin's sermon. For once they were finished early so when I walked into the church just after Noon it was in time to be acknowledged and then be asked to give the closing prayer !!<br />Not the usual crowd there but many familiar faces - all wanting to know about everyone back in Canada etc etc<br />Pastor Justin and family are well - still living the simple life.<br />Justin still wearing the same shirt - the brown one with yellow collar and cuffs !<br />The only real addition to their belongings is a new bicycle which they, that can ride, share<br />Actually Pastor Justin also has a phone now so you can text him or phone him if you want to - 260 975 138 494<br />Jennifer is a very cute toddler now - walking all over the place. Very cute but very afraid of me. Justin said that was strange because she had had no problem with Chris Rogers but thinks that perhaps it's because I am still whiter than white !!<br />No progress on their building - have lots of bricks and sand but still need money for cement<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><strong>Other<br /></strong><br />Nothing to report on the clinic as it was closed for the week-end and no one around to speak to.<br />The maternity ward addition is only at floor level - again some stories about why not further so I'll have to find out the real reason/s<br />Paint job and mural still look in good shape<br />A couple of problems with a few of the orphans but Justin has a good handle on them<br />We will be focusing on them when I go back after Easter and visiting them all<br />Headman Jackson and Miriam not around so hopefully when I get back<br />The micro loan fund is doing well still although some loans were used for agriculture so the pay-back time is going to be much longer than usual; and the trustees have asked for a small amount of the corn as "interest" - to feed the orphans - after the harvest</span>.The Simon Poultney Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09571545879690734719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168817385341159130.post-77807259608032182532009-04-03T20:52:00.000-06:002009-04-03T21:16:27.485-06:00Zambia 2009<span style="font-family:arial;">Hi everyone - welcome to the 2009 chapter of SPF Zambia - which tends to be the main focus of this blog.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I had an excellent trip over, leaving Edmonton on Tuesday March 31 - to Toronto and then on to London <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Heathrow</span> overnight. Landed at the new Terminal 5 - very huge and impressive but also somewhat sterile with that. Not a lot of people about - maybe just because it is so vast or because of the down-turn in travel - so one never felt crowded like the older terminals.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I took a quick trip into Central London on the Underground. Had a wander through the daffodils in Green Park and St James, past Buckingham Palace, down The Mall, through Admiralty Arch and to Trafalgar Square where I sat in the sun and watched the world go by for a while. Lots of activity all over the place gearing up for the big G20 meeting - media and security everywhere - but nothing much happening while I was on my walk-about so I was glad not to get caught up in any of the demonstrations and crowds coming out to see Obama <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">et</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">al</span>. It was reported that it was all going to cost about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Cdn</span> $ 100 million - a complete waste of money at a time when they are all supposed to be battling the economic woes.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I then had lunch with my niece, Bridget (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Brebner</span>) Dale who had an extra suitcase for me filled with clothing to bring over to give away to needy people. On the special charity fare that British Airways had afforded me they also gave me extra baggage allowance for humanitarian purposes.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The overnight flight to Lusaka on Wednesday evening was smooth and I managed to get a bit of sleep. Good to catch up with people in Lusaka and get some logistics sorted out over the past couple of days. I am heading up to our project area, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Kakulu</span>, today (Saturday April 4) and am looking forward to finding out what's been happening there in the 7 months we've been gone.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Hope to do update installments - including photos - every few days as I get access to the Internet - so hope that you will check back regularly for those updates.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Gordon</span>The Simon Poultney Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09571545879690734719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168817385341159130.post-84006931724162367022008-11-24T11:43:00.000-07:002008-11-28T07:17:03.345-07:00Zambia 2008 Presentation<div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTnHd7RudKDvum6SxYVufw-fYI5YFbnWzfO2tznWjB3QiuovTywWmUf6zFzHk9qokgap_3oqtU9WWO1_NvjBfbbM-KHyrCwuzctX0920st1MUYXEbANMmb17a5sCYEOIJtcf6DLd-faM4/s1600-h/chilunga.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269699391752647986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTnHd7RudKDvum6SxYVufw-fYI5YFbnWzfO2tznWjB3QiuovTywWmUf6zFzHk9qokgap_3oqtU9WWO1_NvjBfbbM-KHyrCwuzctX0920st1MUYXEbANMmb17a5sCYEOIJtcf6DLd-faM4/s400/chilunga.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">On Sunday November 23, 2008 we hosted a most enjoyable evening with members of the teams that travelled from Alberta to Africa in 2008, members of their families and many others who have supported the Zambia project. Videos, photographs and stories highlighted the works done and the impact that they had on the Zambian community. If you missed the evening and are interested in hearing more, or would like us to speak to your church or association, please contact us to make arrangements to do so. C</span><span style="font-family:arial;">all (780) 289-1803.</div><p><br /></p></span>The Simon Poultney Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09571545879690734719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168817385341159130.post-91806823275158918732008-08-31T15:02:00.003-06:002008-11-17T11:50:51.971-07:00Zambia 2008 Summary<span style="font-family:arial;">As we leave Zambia to begin our journey home it was gratifying to look back on what we have achieved in the five months since Gordon arrived to begin this year's program. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">- Three teams and several other visitors from Canada (over 40 in total) came to work with us</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">- Constructed a new staff house at the school</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">- Refurbished 40 desks for the classrooms<br />- Refurbished chalk boards and doors at a community school</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">- Team members taught classes at the school or did presentations to students about life in Canada</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">- Donated large amounts of school supplies to students and resource materials to teachers</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">- Conducted a one day workshop-seminar for teachers</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">- Painted the clinic and provided material to complete the building</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">- Dug the foundation for the next phase of the clinic and provided some material to get started</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">- Large amounts of general medical supplies and some small items of equipment donated to the clinic</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">- Assisted the clinic with clerical work and transport to monthly outreach clinics</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">- Donated sports equipment and uniforms to local sports teams</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">- Identified 20 orphans in the community needing most help and provided them with some resources as a start</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">: food, school uniforms, clothing and mosquito nets<br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">- Put a new roof on the house of an old man - nearly blind - taking care of his two orphaned grandchildren</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">- Attended local church and participated in services and ministry groups - men, women, youth, children and choir</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">- Distributed 70 bibles in the community, many of them in the local language</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">- Added funds to our small micro-loan fund which is helping people in the community - currently 11 loans are out and 49 have benefited since April 2007</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">- Connected with local women`s clubs and provided assistance to them in their activities to help themselves make money</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><span style="font-family:arial;">Note : We estimate that over 2,000 pounds (900 kg) of goods were brought from Canada to be donated - as listed above</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">In addition there has obviously been a lot of interaction with many, many people in the community so that we have strengthened our relationship with the community. We have learned a great deal from this year`s time here which will help us greatly in planning and preparing for the years ahead. There is so much more to be done and we are excited about what is still to come.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">A reminder that in addition to the photos posted on the blog there are many more in our Facebook albums, the links to which are listed to the left.</span>The Simon Poultney Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09571545879690734719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168817385341159130.post-44852342230959918102008-08-29T07:12:00.002-06:002008-10-27T07:25:30.916-06:00Knitting Machine<div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;">We were given a donation in Canada to assist women in our Zambian community with a sewing program to generate income for themselves. After meeting with a women's club it was decided to purchase a new manual knitting machine with the funds as they already had a plan in place to produce knitted items for sale.<br /><br />The cost of the machine is being treated as an interest-free loan which will be paid back by the club as they sell goods produced on the machine. Once the full amount has been repaid either another knitting machine or some sewing machines will be purchased to increase their capacity.<br /><br />The long-term goal is to start a sewing school to teach other women in the community and enable them to generate money for themselves.<br /></span><br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIqfP9lbn5Gzt9pIvAcbqEYr5TuIVQMu4eO18BBYqAb3F3GF-fUabD-Cb_mMHrtXQtscZvGfPrLWebZVCLzfbnp4S7VzQjyVM7KkboQsZWt3reEEe87lqlr6Wbys8Ny9z28o5b8zea3dQ/s1600-h/2008-08-207.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261821328239171394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIqfP9lbn5Gzt9pIvAcbqEYr5TuIVQMu4eO18BBYqAb3F3GF-fUabD-Cb_mMHrtXQtscZvGfPrLWebZVCLzfbnp4S7VzQjyVM7KkboQsZWt3reEEe87lqlr6Wbys8Ny9z28o5b8zea3dQ/s400/2008-08-207.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Above : Jenny presents the machine to some delighted members of the club<br />Below : The machine just unpacked from its box<br /></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9EdwYuPaqLyS409MKl8Nzj_Fa2HFqzKsoaaC_UG_gkb4zALwdmYrLC6BYlDUhqUvON_8byBlKHPTN6kFPJvv_f62WT5HtpQp2JqcK5fUrKp_uMKokXf8_GLZyT_q-KVMgxT7hsYRfws8/s1600-h/2008-08-206.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261821327045957906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9EdwYuPaqLyS409MKl8Nzj_Fa2HFqzKsoaaC_UG_gkb4zALwdmYrLC6BYlDUhqUvON_8byBlKHPTN6kFPJvv_f62WT5HtpQp2JqcK5fUrKp_uMKokXf8_GLZyT_q-KVMgxT7hsYRfws8/s400/2008-08-206.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></p>The Simon Poultney Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09571545879690734719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168817385341159130.post-36896872330295191222008-08-24T09:10:00.001-06:002008-10-27T09:19:51.675-06:00Tools for the Community<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRmc6i7ijEMNFrHVRm_3kit7HEOKicBUcZKA_61NaqrWNtUi-Ca2ZzCscb1X_EJacHYZbnxOVZaTIsRq5kmuWYWCiem4N9I_Zay0DUOCFpf5nCvKC3Yhzaxev0m7DaEmlalr5b4qtaZqI/s1600-h/2008-08-163.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261851695986742466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRmc6i7ijEMNFrHVRm_3kit7HEOKicBUcZKA_61NaqrWNtUi-Ca2ZzCscb1X_EJacHYZbnxOVZaTIsRq5kmuWYWCiem4N9I_Zay0DUOCFpf5nCvKC3Yhzaxev0m7DaEmlalr5b4qtaZqI/s400/2008-08-163.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:arial;">A guitar brought to Zambia by Bronwen was donated to Glad Tidings Church as they have a young man who had some idea how to play - and actually did one song in the service that day ! He is excited to have an instrument so that he can now improve on his ability to play.<br /></span><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1kcBJp5_NE7ACy9entiilTZatDZyv0o2XkMxaqBI2XvHqDWFlZ-4d7-5jDq0GdewXNp_SY4KZFflDoalMqNAI7glleiviJdrS6In_3iINiI_UyU9Chd9ZB16EPJDnwL8mxrem8MoZlM/s1600-h/2008-08-165.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261851692648592418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1kcBJp5_NE7ACy9entiilTZatDZyv0o2XkMxaqBI2XvHqDWFlZ-4d7-5jDq0GdewXNp_SY4KZFflDoalMqNAI7glleiviJdrS6In_3iINiI_UyU9Chd9ZB16EPJDnwL8mxrem8MoZlM/s400/2008-08-165.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhacANmoU7q8cQ52Fb43q1ThP5FXUuUPHQjODn6jBOBbsNlJJ53uvPW0EoaNz3TySUa5KigSTdQMoYmRO5mc3IOW0yWx4r1BHewMMDjt1mk3NSFaEzA2ZU0sHoSwhEbRqPRzn9IVSW6Wlg/s1600-h/2008-08-203.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261851695046110658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhacANmoU7q8cQ52Fb43q1ThP5FXUuUPHQjODn6jBOBbsNlJJ53uvPW0EoaNz3TySUa5KigSTdQMoYmRO5mc3IOW0yWx4r1BHewMMDjt1mk3NSFaEzA2ZU0sHoSwhEbRqPRzn9IVSW6Wlg/s400/2008-08-203.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Ten hoes (badzas) - made and purchased in the community - were donated to Sungula School for their school vegetable garden project</span><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>The Simon Poultney Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09571545879690734719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168817385341159130.post-23206685704315769592008-08-08T09:04:00.001-06:002008-10-27T09:10:22.621-06:00Small Business Support<span style="font-family:arial;">Rich purchases fritters - the Zambian equivalent of donuts - from a local tuck shop, aka Zambian 7-11 ! Several of these small shops in the community have been successfully started by women through interest-free loans from the SPF community support fund.<br /></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLNK9g2mVfwPxcuFGo-622RvFUJIIzo-FQTDhPSLMS4bfYfndnQ8Ff_nW6lNOUwH_iPlSBfbG6RhQDjk8nTTMe_EkVXH1WOqWXpkG9l1PkNLP9AHjuP4Iw_FB3IWsHQimYUigwklZzgXE/s1600-h/2008-08-101.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261849934971547122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLNK9g2mVfwPxcuFGo-622RvFUJIIzo-FQTDhPSLMS4bfYfndnQ8Ff_nW6lNOUwH_iPlSBfbG6RhQDjk8nTTMe_EkVXH1WOqWXpkG9l1PkNLP9AHjuP4Iw_FB3IWsHQimYUigwklZzgXE/s400/2008-08-101.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>The Simon Poultney Foundationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09571545879690734719noreply@blogger.com0