Schools in Zambia
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The school system in Zambia is very different to the one in the UK. Zambia has a range of schools from private fee paying schools to community and charity run schools. The aim of the Tag Rugby Trust and Hurstmere School is to work with students from all backgrounds, but to make a difference to the lives of the underprivileged children in Zambia. |
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" I first came to Zambia in 2005 on a planning trip for TRT with just two contacts here. After visiting several schools today and seeing the progress made in just six years I was amazed at all of the developments made here. It’s so inspiring to see school children from the UK teaching Tag Rugby to local African children. Thanks to Hurstmere School for coming out here and I hope you spread the word when you get back home!" Huw, Tag Rugby Trust representative in Zambia for the 2011 tour.
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Each of the tours which Hurstmere School has been part of have been to an area just outside of Lusaka, in the Chilanga region. This area is not only home to our link school, Baobab College, but also to several underprivileged schools. |
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The main schools in the area which Hurstmere School has worked with are:
and further afield in Lusaka itself:
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Each of these schools take in children from the surrounding area, some of whom walk for several hours to get to and from school each day. Often their routes are along unpaved and unlit roads at various times of the day, including in the dark. Often the students will be required to pay towards their schooling (used for the upkeep of the school and to pay the teachers). In Sosco Community School, the fees are 5000 Kwacha per month. At the time we visited, the exchange rate was approximately 7200 Kwacha to the English Pound, meaning that for a month's education, students were expected to pay around 70 pence. In many cases this was still too expensive for the students, so the Reverend-in-Charge of the school simply allowed the students to attend on the basis of paying what they could, when they could. |
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Despite this unimaginable depravity at every school we worked in, the students always seemed happy and polite. This had a huge effect on the students and staff from each tour. |
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" Looking into the eyes of the teenage boy staring through the mini-bus window was a tough start to an eye opening day. As he asked for food by holding his hand to his mouth, a new BMW drove down the road behind him. The contrast in Zambian society is truly shocking." Mr. Jones, Hurstmere School staff member
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