Help a community in Africa build their own school

Returning to Simakakata

Posted by Volunteer Adam on January 4, 2011
Teaching the children a new song during our first trip to Simakakata.

Teaching the children a new song during our first trip to Simakakata.

Season’s greetings and a happy new year. For those of our supporters who’ve been stuck in northern Europe’s coldest winter for decades, my commiserations. I’ve been away in South Africa visiting relatives for the festive period, and have been slowly baking away in a hot, muggy climate for the last couple of weeks.

I will atone for my good fortune, though. Since I’m in this part of the world anyway, I couldn’t resist treating myself to an extra present – a plane ticket to Zambia and a journey to visit our friends at Simakakata.

It’s been nearly 19 months since Steve, Nerys, Brenda and I first went to see George and his staff at Simakakata Community School, which is just outside the historical capital of Zambia, Kalomo. Then, over 200 children were receiving a basic education in a derelict farmhouse. They had no access to clean water on site, little in the way of classroom furniture and got by largely thanks to the dedication and passion of their teachers.

New term begins

I can’t wait to be there when term starts on 9th January. I’ve spoken to George by phone several times over the last year and a half, so I know that thanks to funding from LearnAsOne and Care International a new schoolhouse has been built and is slowly being equipped up to standard. I know local government has begun work on a borehole for the site, and that several new members of staff have joined George, Sonia and Edwin.

Thanks to supporters of LearnAsOne, who have read, watched and listened to the community telling us what they want, rather than simply sending what we think they need, the people of Simakakata have started on an exciting journey of development. Their children will receive a proper, high standard education from which the whole community will reap the economic benefits. With just a little bit more help from us, and you, this chapter in their history will be finished and they’ll be well on the way to self-sustainable development for the future.

I’m really looking forward to meeting George and his team again, and finding out how much has changed and what still needs to be done. There will be lessons for all of us to learn from the work of the last 19 months and, as ever, I’ll be posting updates with photos throughout my trip and when I get back to the UK later in January.

If you have any questions you’d like me to ask the people of Simakakata, please leave them in the comments section below.

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Meet the team. Brenda Veldtman, Volunteer Photographer

Posted by Steve Heyes on May 9, 2009

Brenda Veldtman, volunteer photographer

The volunteer team is completed by our amazing photographer Brenda. You can see her work here.

Name:

Brenda Veldtman

Occupation:

Freelance Photojournalist

Who are you?

I am a freelance photojournalist from South Africa. My passion is to tell stories through pictures. The first 6 years of my career I worked full time as a press photographer for two of the leading Afrikaans Newspapers in South Africa. I am freelancing now and specialise in documentaries.

What will you be doing in Zambia?

I will be documenting the lives of the people and children in Zambia in need and tell their stories as truthfully and honestly as possible, hopefully touching other people’s hearts so that they can donate to LearnAsOne!

Why are you going on the trip?

I want to contribute to this wonderful cause.

Have you ever done anything like this before?

Yes – I have worked with other NGO’s before in Africa, but this is exciting as we will be reporting back in real time.

Any big concerns about the trip?

Africa is unpredictable and you never know what to expect.

What luxury item are you going to pack?

None, my camera equipment will take up all the space…

What will you miss most?

My husband, cat and dog.

If you have any questions for Brenda please leave them in the comments section below.

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Meet the team: Nerys Evans, Volunteer TV Producer

Posted by Volunteer Adam on May 8, 2009

nerys-team

Our team of volunteers will be joining Steve in Livingstone on Sunday. As they finalise their travel arrangements, what better way to pass the time then introduce video guru Nerys, who’ll be capturing the community we visit on film.

Name

Nerys Evans

Occupation

Video Director / Producer

Who are you?

I’m a full time Video Director / Producer in leading new media firm Tinopolis Interactive. My previous history is in documentary and factual productions, covering social issues, wildlife, art and history for BBC, ITV and Channel 4 Wales.

What will you be doing in Zambia?

Producing and filming videos for the LearnAsOne website and documenting our trip for a Welsh magazine programme.

Why are you going on the trip?

It has been a life long ambition to apply my experience to aid people who do not have access to mass communication. Documentaries are perfect storytellers in the right commissioning hands or charitable organisations.

Have you ever done anything like this before?

I’ve done wildlife, history, social and art productions and I’ve been to developing countries but this is the first time for me to combine both.

Any big concerns about the trip?

Snakes and spiders. We generally don’t get on.

What luxury item are you going to pack?

iPod.

What will you miss most?

My friends and family but I know they’ll be there when I get back. I intend on making the most of my time in Zambia.

If you have any questions for Nerys please leave them in the comments section below.

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Meet the team. Adam Oxford, volunteer Journalist

Posted by Volunteer Adam on May 4, 2009

adam-team

While Steve’s busy meeting the NGOs, sorting out internet connections and finding places to stay this week, I’m going to be handling the blog updates from the UK side of things and trying to secure last minute coverage for the mission. Then I’ll be flying out to join with Volunteers Nerys and Brenda on the 10th.

So this is probably as good a time as any to introduce myself.

Name

Adam Oxford

Occupation

Freelance writer, editor and journalist

Who are you?

I’m a freelance writer based in the South West. Most of my work is based around technology, reporting on everything from enterprise networking and communications to the latest gadgets.

What will you be doing in Zambia?

I’ll be talking to the local communities we visit and writing up the stories we find for the LearnAsOne blog. I’ll also be collecting information for features on the project in several magazines and websites, and helping Steve to pass on your questions for the people we meet.

Why are you going on the trip?

I was lucky enough to have an education provided by the state until I finished university, and as a direct result have had an incredibly exciting career that’s taken me all over the world and beyond – I can genuinely say I’ve interviewed a spaceman. I believe everyone, no matter what community you’re born into, has the same potential to learn and capacity for ambition, and should have the same opportunity to learn how to fulfill it.

Have you ever done anything like this before?

No, but I’ve always wanted to.

Any big concerns about the trip?

Only that there may be snakes in the area. I’ve been avoiding finding out – the only time I’ve seen one in the wild before was near my dustbin on at a South African game lodge, and the staff were on hand to capture it quickly. That and the fact I struggle to wake up without a shower in the morning.

What luxury item are you going to pack?

4000 miles of hosepipe? Seriously, though, the things I usually count as indulgences – my camera, laptop and phone – are going to be essential, so I’ll be travelling very luxury light.

What will you miss most?

My family – it’ll be the first time I’ve been away from my daughter without being able to chat on Skype every night.

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Fancy a fundraising internship with LearnAsOne?

Posted by Steve Heyes on April 7, 2009

Real projects. Real impact. Real intership.

What we do at LearnAsOne is fairly simple:

  • We partner with NGOs in Africa who facilitate education projects.
  • They introduce us to communities who need schools.
  • We share stories, photos and videos from the community so you can meet the teachers, parents and children and see exactly what they need.
  • Then we ask for your help to raise the money required.
  • Whilst continuing to share stories so you can see your money in action.

A chance to manage real projects!

We need your help to raise some serious money so children can go to school. None of that tea making or answering other people’s phone calls. Just real projects, that make a real difference!

What’s involved?

Organising fundraisers and motivating your friends, classmates and colleagues to get involved too.

Top of the list is WalkAsOne, a 14km sponsored walk with replicates the distance 10-year-old orphan Saviour has to walk each and everyday just to get to school. A school that soon won’t exist. In March and April 2010 we want to see walks at universities, schools and through cities across the world.

If you are musical why not organise a BuskAsOne? Find some musicians, a place to busk for the day, get permission from the site owner and collect money to pay for new classrooms in Zambia. Simples.

And if food is more your thing then BreakfastAsOne is for you? It’s like a coffee morning, but at breakfast time. Get in some teas and coffees, some pastries and cereal and invite all your colleagues or classmates along for a chat. Then ask them to make a donation in return for your hospitality.

We also need help setting up an online shop and working out how to promote eBay for Charity. You can also instigate any ideas of your own.

Your skills

You must be very enthusiastic, have a good grasp of new technology and actively use social networking tools such as twitter and Facebook. Plus you must have the drive to make your projects your own. Help will of course be at hand, but you will be expected to really put your own stamp on your projects.

Where?

This is a virtual opportunity. By that I mean you can work from anywhere in the world. You just need to have regular access to Skype, msn and email. We have no need to carry the overheads of an office so you can work from home, the coffee shop or even the beach. I’m really not fussed.

When? And how long for?

We are looking for people to start as soon as they can. In terms of how long for, it depends what kind of fundraiser you want to organise. If it’s WalkAsOne then until the end of October. Otherwise for as long as you need.

How to apply

If you would like to apply please email me (Steve) at [email protected] – and include the following:

  • In no more than two paragraphs let me know why you want to volunteer with LearnAsOne and would make you a great intern. No generic covering letters, they are so obvious and uninspiring!
  • Include your Skype username (very important for virtual communication) and twitter profile if you have one.
  • Please attach your CV.

Interviews will be conducted via Skype.

If you have any questions then please direct them to me too. Thanks.

Update – I’m getting a lot of applications without a Skype or Twitter ID. Given that this is a virtual (not office based) opportunity you need to be familiar with these communication tools. So please, please ensure you include these details when you apply. Thank you!

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Volunteering: Would you like to help us with our to-do list?

Posted by Steve Heyes on March 1, 2009

LearnAsOne volunteering wiki image

As the first trip to Zambia gets ever closer (this May), the amount of things we need to do grows ever bigger!

Now this is a huge positive and very exciting, but it does mean that some parts of our to-do list are suffering and having to take a back seat. For example, ideas such as setting up a LearnAsOne shop and getting registered with eBay for Charity are not getting the time they deserve. There is only so much that we can do.

At least that’s what I thought until I met Lucy from the childsifoundation a couple of weeks ago. Her suggestion was simple. Put your to-do list online and ask people to help. So that’s what we’ve done.

The LearnAsOne to-do list: can you help?

We’ve set up a wiki featuring all the key projects. The are opportunities for writers, art directors, desingers, fundraisers, web developers, event organisers, filmmakers, journalists and students. Big projects and small ones. Plus many that multiple volunteers can work on simultaneously.

Please take a look at our to-do list and email volunteer at learnasone dot org if you would like to help out or find out more. Thank you!

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