This summer a group of 24 girls travelled to Lusaka, Zambia to spend two weeks teaching at Flying Angels School, it was a fantastic experience and here are the memories of a few of those girls.
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"Going to Zambia was an incredible experience, from seeing our first sunrise having just got off the aeroplane, to saying a tearful goodbye after the Cultural Exchange, every moment was full of emotion and excitement. Despite our trepidation on arriving at Flying Angels as we did not really know what to expect we were quickly welcomed into the school community and were able to work with both the staff and the students without a problem. However, one of the most important things we learnt about Flying Angels is that it never stands still. Mr Sakala (the Headmaster) and his staff are always looking for ways to develop, and modernise the school, even with limited resources. Currently they are building a computer block within the school complex as although most of the students do not have access to a computer at home, being able to use one is an increasingly valuable skill when looking for employment. Furthermore, the money raised from the Zambia Challenge has already been put to good use and the staff accommodation block is in the process of being built. This will be a great asset to the school as it will allow for more continuity amongst the staff as they will always have a home, even if some months they do not get a wage. These developments are improving Flying Angels for both the staff and the students, and hopefully, with the help of NLCS they will continue in the future."
By Rachel Jeal, Yr 13
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"If one was to walk into Flying Angels, it might not be instantly recognisable as a school. The classrooms are dark and draughty, and there is no playground or even an inside toilet. Most classroom doors do not shut properly and the lunch is cooked over an open fire in a tiny back corridor. Nevertheless, after a few moments spent with the students there, the place comes to life. Each grade is assigned a classroom, which they tend to with great care, in spite of their limited resources. They were punctual, organised and co-operative, making for excellent scholars, but what struck us most were their dazzling personalities. From their astonishing singing on our first day to their tears on our last, they never ceased to be welcoming and affectionate. We were further inspired by the generous staff we met there, in particular the headmaster Mr Sakala. Our lessons were challenging, often moving but always enjoyable. Their smiles lit up their dark classrooms and their enthusiasm and appetite for learning eclipsed any practical obstacle we encountered whilst teaching them. Our experience at Flying Angels formed our fondest memories and proudest moments. We considered ourselves so lucky to have been part of a link with such a wonderful institution."
By Rosalind Brody, Yr 13
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"Teaching in Zambia was an extremely challenging yet rewarding process. We spent the first day at Flying Angels observing lessons and soon came to realise that we had a great hurdle ahead. The children there have only ever been taught to copy down notes from the board and learn by rote, with little discussion. The class sizes, 73 children in Grade 9 for example, were also somewhat daunting and we returned back to the hostel after our first
day feeling rather depressed, yet incredibly determined to engage the students and initiate more creative learning methods. One such method was ‘team teaching' ensured different perspectives on a particular topic and instilled a certain confidence in the students that there isn't necessarily a definite answer, and that through discussion, more ideas can be explored. Drawing and then presenting tourist brochures in Geography, and physically re-enacting trench warfare in History, are further examples of how we engaged with the students on a more interactive level. Their appreciation for our new methods were evident in one particular English lesson with Grade 10 where, after reading Maya Angelou's ‘Still I Rise', they collectively filled the board with words such as ‘heritage', ‘identity', ‘humanity', ‘consciousness' and ‘determination'. This was followed by complete silence when they wrote auto-biographical poems, using Angelou's as inspiration. When marking the work the following day, I was moved to tears as these children, some even older than me, have vast amounts to say, yet have never been given a platform to express them on. On a more logistical note, the teaching facilities are indeed very basic at Flying Angels. Taking coloured chalk out with us seemed such a simple idea at the time, yet in the classroom proved highly effective. The experience of teaching at Flying Angels was incredible, both in terms of getting to know the students and hearing their ideas and beliefs and regarding overcoming the challenges of teaching with very few resources. However, every moment was worthwhile and it was certainly an unforgettable experience."
By Jessica Mayer, Yr 13
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