Personal Journal from Volunteers in Mission Trip to Zimbabwe

Rita and I took the laptop, etc. back to Hartzell Primary. Letwina and Danai were there. I showed them what we had done on Thursday and printed the information. Then I showed them how to print the bar codes and spine labels. They worked together to do data entry of materials. When we had returned from lunch, they were so pleased. They had printed bar codes and spine labels on their own. They were so excited!

I showed them how to add patrons to the system. We hope to enter the students who will be checking out books on Tuesday so they can begin using the system. I must remember to walk through a lot of other things before we just leave. I really think they will keep the system going!

Mr. Maramba, the headmaster, came in several times. He kept wondering how such a little computer could do anything when they had big ones! He would mention it several times during the day. He was completely understanding about the surge protector blowing. He said that they had done it several times when they were trying to set up computers. Hearing that was a relief.

Mr. Maramba told us that some of the men have two to ten wives under some of the religions practiced in Zimbabwe. That means they have a lot of children. If something happens to a father, there could be several families with no support. There really is no way that families take in other families. Education is not free. The government only gives $25 per child per year. Parents have to pay to make up the differences. All of the students at Hartzell walk to school.

Rita and I walked up to the high school area. A young man named Frank was there. He is a science teacher and asked us to visit his science lab. Rita and I walked through the labs. He appeared to love his teaching and made the most of everything. He takes students out to catch their own snakes for the dissecting class.

A woman from Nashville, Tennessee, Ida Rogers, visited the primary school to see what we were doing. She works with the Africa University library and is very interested in working with us and the circulation program.

Patience gave Rita some Shona lessons. They kept busy throughout the day.

JM

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This text is taken from a personal journal of the recent trip to Zimbabwe. Statements made represent the opinions and thoughts of the individual volunteer and are not intended as official statements of the United Methodist Church or Epworth United Methodist Church. This web site is designed & maintained byEpworthSteeple Disciples

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Last modified November 4, 2000