Recently in St Nicholas Orphanage Category

I am told that on their recent visit, Gordon and Julia Lowes established a garden for the children at St Nicholas Village to grow their own food - or at least, to be able to grow some of it! Jacob reports...

They planted cabbage, cauliflower, melons, impwa, tomato, rape and okra. Most of the crops are growing well, although some appear to more popular than others!

Everyone is working enthusiastically on the garden and there are some plans for expansion to grow more, including maize production. Some land has been given for their use by the Agricultural department

Here you can see pictures of carrots, squash, impwa and tomatoes in early stages.

Thanks to donations from Saanich community, security at the orphanage was improved in June. Exterior grill doors have been fitted on several buildings.

Here are before and after pictures!

During my visit I have been watching the children playing football on our dusty football pitch. Games go on until the sun sets and are contested with great enthusiasm...

I took this picture of some of the orphanage children a few nights ago to share with you.

Hope you enjoy it!

At the end of December 2008, our dear Ambuya Judy Passmore bade farewell to MEC and to the children of St. Nicholas Orphanage. Mrs Passmore retired due to ill health. She was the house mother just after the inception of the orphanage in 2000 and was especially good with the children when they were sick and in negotiating a pathway through the doctors at the University Teaching hospital in the shortest possible time. We will greatly miss her.

In Mrs Passmore's place we now have Mrs Irene Simwale Chinyama. Mrs Chinyama holds an Advanced Certificate in Social Development and is currently studying with Mulungushi University by extension for a Diploma in the same course. She previously worked for "Rainbow Project" for Street Children, an Irish-based non governmental organization. She also worked with the Child Care and Adoption Society for some years as a volunteer. Mrs Chinyama is settling down well and enjoying the work of being with the children. The children at the orphanage are also very happy with her.

This recent photo shows Martha, Grace, Chikondiwe and Jane at St Nicholas Village for Children. They were just back at their dormitories during a lunchtime break at Makei Centre Primary school.

At the time this was taken, there were 31 children in the orphanage, 13 boys and 18 girls.

I had a tour of the nice new dormitories, and asked what was particularly needed. I was told that the staff and children had been very grateful for the donation of clothes shoes from Oncdo and Mr and Mrs Kars in Holland (Yvonne Kars has worked with us a volunteer).

Apparently bedding goes through some tough wear and they are in particular need of pillows, which are worn out quickly! So, if you are sending an item, you might want to cushion it with pillows.... Or, stuff a few in your luggage. They will be much appreciated!