Another Crazy Week

It’s been a whirlwind couple of weeks at Appleseed! We moved out of the building that we had been renting since November of 2011. After many difficulties with the landlord, we parted ways. It was bittersweet, kind of nice to move on, but at the time we were not sure where we would be conducting school. We thought we would be at a local church, but this was not ideal as it is only one room and we weren’t sure how we would accommodate all classes and the church people were not telling us what they were planning to charge. 
     Fortunately, we have many wonderful people who help to make Appleseed run. One of them is “Coach K.” Coach K is one of the men who coaches our kids twice a week in soccer. He is also a coach at the American International School and a former professional soccer player on a South African team. A few days ago, Coach K said that he has a friend who has a house that we may be able to rent. We met with his friend and saw his house. It is, like the other one, an unfinished building, but much nicer than our old building. We came to an agreement about rent and preparing the house for our use. We agreed to a 3 to 6 month lease. We hope to be there for 6 months, while we raise funds to build our first building on the new land, but, we may have to leave sooner as the owner is trying to sell another house and move into this one when his other is sold. So, it is not ideal, but it is certainly better than the alternative! The best part..... he is putting in a real flush toilet, running water and all!!! 
     Two of our teachers have been staying with us for the past 3 nights, because they had lived at the school and had nowhere to go. Tonight, they are in the new house. Also, one of our neediest kids will be moving in with them. Jimmy (James- 13 years old) who has been with us from day one, has had to move out of his mother’s house (she has no room for him.) He has been sleeping at the house of a family friend. The word friend is used very loosely here. He is only allowed to be there for the sleeping hours and has no bed, it is literally just a roof over his head when it is dark outside. He leaves at daybreak and returns at night to sleep. They offer him no food at all. He goes to Mary's house and eats all meals with her when the school is not open. We won't reopen until May 13th when all other Zambian schools reopen. Jimmy keeps his beautiful smile, he is always where ever Appleseed is, he truly considers it his home and family. I haven't had a chance to check, but I am sure that he is with Teacher Vincent and Teacher John tonight.
      So, that is a partial synopsis of the last week or so. In the midst of this we were preparing for our biggest fundraising effort in Zambia, since we have been here. The concert was a huge success and lots of fun. I will tell more about the wonderful night very soon!
It’s been a whirlwind couple of weeks at Appleseed! We moved out of the building that we had been renting since November of 2011. After many difficulties with the landlord, we parted ways. It was bittersweet, kind of nice to move on, but at the time we were not sure where we would be conducting school. We thought we would be at a local church, but this was not ideal as it is only one room and we weren’t sure how we would accommodate all classes and the church people were not telling us what they were planning to charge. 




Fortunately, we have many wonderful people who help to make Appleseed run. One of them is “Coach K.” Coach K is one of the men who coaches our kids twice a week in soccer. He is also a coach at the American International School and a former professional soccer player on a South African team. A few days ago, Coach K said that he has a friend who has a house that we may be able to rent. We met with his friend and saw his house. It is, like the other one, an unfinished building, but much nicer than our old building. We came to an agreement about rent and preparing the house for our use. We agreed to a 3 to 6 month lease. We hope to be there for 6 months, while we raise funds to build our first building on the new land, but, we may have to leave sooner as the owner is trying to sell another house and move into this one when his other is sold. So, it is not ideal, but it is certainly better than the alternative! The best part..... he is putting in a real flush toilet, running water and all!!! 




Two of our teachers have been staying with us for the past 3 nights, because they had lived at the school and had nowhere to go. Tonight, they are in the new house. Also, one of our neediest kids will be moving in with them. Jimmy (James) who has been with us from day one, has had to move out of his mother’s house (she has no room for him.) He has been sleeping at the house of a family friend. The word friend is used very loosely here. He is only allowed to be there for the sleeping hours. He leaves at daybreak and returns at night to sleep. They offer him no food at all. Yet, Jimmy keeps his beautiful smile, he is always where ever Appleseed is. I am assuming he is with Teacher Vincent and Teacher John tonight.




So, that is a partial synopsis of the last week or so. In the midst of this we were preparing for our biggest fundraising effort in Zambia, since we have been here. The concert was a huge success and lots of fun. I will tell more about the wonderful night 

very soon!




Thanks for reading! 

Thanks for reading!