Dennis & friends
June & friends
Dennis Bennett writes
A team of seven went to Zambia on November 16th to 28th November. The team inclued Dave Day, Lyn Weaver, Dennis & June Bennett, Ben Payne, Luke Carter and Jamie a friend of Ben’s from University now working in Nottingham.
On arrival at Mutende the children gave us a great welcome and were so pleased to see us.
The grounds and units are looking good, but there is some need of maintenance both inside and out, mainly decorating and painting. We did manage to redecorate Leotina’s Lounge and make good some electric points.
Again water was a problem. A burst pipe in Lulamba had not been repaired and this is their only supply of water at the moment while the bore hole is out action. It was still leaking when we left. The main problem though is the bore hole at the Childrens Village which needs to be repaired. But while we were there Dave met with Bishop Greg and Leotina to arrange to get it repaired.
The container that went out loaded with tools, materials, toys, soap and toothbrushes etc was held up in Joannesburg and although a payment from England of £500 was required to get it released it did not arrive until two weeks after we returned, so the work we had intended to do need the materials and tools being purchased locally. This was somewhat frustrating.
Dave and Leotina spent two days trying to meet with Council officials to get permission to build a classroom on adjoining ground just outside Mutende. This has now been granted and the funding has been raised by a church in Swansea. Hopefully, building will start in the next few months.
Ben and Jamie were busy filming for a new up to date DVD. With Luke they got involved playing football and games with the children. The village football team is very good. Leotina would like the children to have shirts the same colour ....I think this was a hint for a full football kit!
Lyn and June spent time reading and playing with the children and Lyn also spent quite a lot of time repairing their clothes.