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“I’ve started something at Simakakata” - Headmaster George
George teaches the Grade 7 class about Zambia's role in the UN
At the weekend, George Matantilo likes to relax by working on his small farm, near where he lives in Good Hope. With the help of his sons, he grows a little maize and sweet potatoes, and looks after a herd of goats. On Sunday, like the majority of people in this strongly Christian country, he goes to church. In the afternoons he unwinds by watching sport on television.
He’s earned the downtime. His boss at the Education Board is worried about his gruelling schedule. Every weekday morning, hot or cold, wet or dry, he cycles 8km to Simakakata, where’s he’s headmaster of the community school. He arrives at 7am, and works for at least least nine hours before starting the journey home. Although the children have all left by 4pm and there’s no food or water at the school, George often works late. On top of his school duties, he runs a health outreach program from his unlit office.
“We look after those who are orphaned or children that are vulnerable, I also organise help for local people with HIV/AIDS. There are a group of care givers who go around the community collecting information, so that we know how people are getting along, what their problems are, and offer advice or arrange appointments at the clinic in Kalomo. One of the other thing that I do is that I’m the pay point manager for the old and disabled here – I go to the social welfare offices to collect their allowances for them.”
It’s hard work, but George shrugs off the tiredness with a laugh.
“I’m an old man for a headmaster,” he jokes, “I’m 36 aready!”
George’s smile is infectious, but there are two dark truths behind his humour: many schools here are staffed by young, untrained teachers. More disturbingly, the HIV/AIDS epidemic has lowered the average life expectancy to under 41. Statistically, George really is an old man.
George’s hope
He lives with his wife, Linda, in a large, well equipped teacher’s house near the school in Good Hope. Until last year, George worked here: Linda still does. Unlike Simakakata, the school and surrounding area has access to power and water. The classrooms are well stocked, and there’s even an on-site science lab for Grade 8 students and above.
Fifteen years ago, though, Good Hope was identical to Simakakata. Then a German donor stepped in to kickstart the development of a new school building. As a direct result Good Hope and the surrounding area have been transformed beyond recognition, from a desperately poor rural community into a young, modern village which is growing every year.
George wasn’t offered more money to take up his new post, and there are few teachers with his experience that would accept a position at such an impoverished school. He’s here because he believes he can transform Simakakata in the same way. It’s draining, but behind his polite, unassuming nature George is tougher than a boxset of Bogarts.
“Somewhere in November last year,” he admits, “The Education Board offered me another job, closer to home, where the head teacher was retiring. They looked at how tired I was, travelling to school on my bike, working late, and organising so much. I said, ‘No, I’ve already started something at Simakakata, I must see it through to the finish. If I leave, who is going to see this through to being a proper school?’ So I remain here, and I keep on cycling, working with the children, working with the other teachers.”
If you would like to help fund a new classroom, teacher’s house and bore hole at Simakakata you can make a donation by clicking here. We’ll post updates on this blog so you get to see your money in action.
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Simakakata Community School: The story so far…
Lessons take place inside a borrowed farmhouse. But for how much longer?
The community of Simakakata are inspiring. They’ve borrowed a crumbling farmhouse and turned it into a school for 230 children. They’ve persuaded the government to provide three paid teachers and have attracted four other trained volunteers.
But they face a problem. A big one. The owner of the building wants it back and there is no other buildings the school can use. They urgently need classrooms, teacher’s houses and water so the children can continue their education.
They have built 60,000 bricks and are happy to volunteer both skilled and unskilled labour to construct the school. But they can’t afford the building materials such as cement, glass, timber and roofing tiles.
Update: 4 January 2010
Thanks to your fundraising efforts in 2009 and a donation from Care International four classrooms are now fully funded and the community are busy building them. And after seeing this rapid progress the local council have agreed to drill a borehole at the school.
But time is running out as their lease on the farmhouse has now expired. The community urgently need an fifth and final classroom, and then five teachers’ houses to complete the school. (In Zambia if you provide a teachers’ house the government provides a trained teacher for free).
Here is a round up of the stories from the Simakakata, and a full breakdown of the project costs. Please forward this post on to as many people as you think will be interested, and re-tweet it on Twitter. And if you wish to make a donation please feel free. Thank you.
The stories
Not one, but four classrooms are now fully funded
Your end of year update from Simakakata. Headmaster George explains how your money is being put to work and shares wonderful news about a donation from Care International.Simakakata Community School in 10 photos
The current school at Simakakata and why they badly need new classrooms and teacher’s houses.“I’ve started something at Simakakata” - Headmaster George
George Matantilo shares his amazing story. He’s a complete inspiration and will do everything in his power to ensure the school is built.The local disabled community needs the school at Simakakata
Shabby Aongola explains how the school provides a lifeline to the disabled community.If you can’t read, life is hard
Why the community of Simakakata want to build a school.Why classrooms are important
Headman Richard Sikalunda explains why a school is more important to the community than a clinic.Inside the school at Simkakakta
Our first impressions of the derelict farmhouse which currently functions as the community school.You can’t teach a thirsty child
Right now, the school doesn’t have a borehole. This is what happens after they teach a sports class.The community contribution so far
The people of Simakakata are determined to build this school. They’ve hand crafted 60,000 bricks, and given up hours of free time.What the community still needs
Although they’ve put in a huge effort, the people of Simakakata still need your help. Here, they explain why.The sporting stars of Simakakata
School isn’t just about lessons. Learn what the children get up to on the sports field.The costs
How much will it cost?
The total amount we need to raise, broken down for full transparency.Meet the community
I want to be…
Meet the children of Simakakata Community School, and see their ambitions.Saviour’s story: A day in the life
Join 10-year-old orphan Saviour on her 14km round trip to school.Saviour’s story: The photo diary - part 1 part 2 part 3
Saviour’s day, retold in pictures.Saviour: Your questions answered
Saviour responds to the questions raised by our followers on Twitter.The teacher: Sonia’s story
Meet the inspirational Sonia Haloba Shanegubo, a teacher at Simakakata. She’s living proof of the power of education to break the cycle of poverty.If you would like to make a donation please do so. You’ll get to see your money in action every step of the way. Thank you.