Graduation Day 2007 - the best yet!

I cannot tell you how happy I am to post this next picture - the completed Male Hostel Student Block for the School of Nursing. When Heidie and I arrived, this building was at slab level and the contractor had basically ran off with most of the money. Once we managed to get the contract formally cancelled, we went and got a few of the local boys and built it ourselves. We have had a lot of help along the way. The ZIM Team put the roof on, the Lurgan youth group painted the inside. It has taken two long years of wheeling and dealing, scrimping and saving but on Friday - it was officially opened. Halle - flippin - lujah! A big thank you to all who assisted during the way - we got there in the end!

The Graduation Day 2007 was very special for us. Heidie had taught the students through their course and we had lot of personal interests in some of the students. It was a cracking day and by far and way the most exciting Graduation Day we had experienced since we have come here. The School recorded a 98% pass rate, one of the best again. The School Hall was packed and extra seating had to be brought in. The students were so happy! When the students enter - in typical Zambian style they dance in and then struggle to pass through their relatives who are trying to greet them. It is so noisy and just a great celebration day.

The guests included The Deputy Minister of Health, the District Commissioner, HRH Chieftainess Mwenda, The Registrar for the General Nursing Council, The Territorial Commander, the Executive Director for CHAZ, the area MP, the area Councillor, the Chief Policy Analyst for Nursing and District Director of Health amongst others.

As is the Chikankata tradition, the Nurses gave their candle light pledge following the footsteps of Florence Nightingale


And the scrum and chaos of the photographs after the ceremony......

Finally, well done to our adopted son for the day, Benson. Sadly, his father passed away after term 1 and our good friend, Barbara Howe sponsored him. So, we became his parents for the day. When his name was called out we had to run to the front of the hall, making as much noise as we could, Heidie waving her chitenge and give him his gifts. We were very proud of him. He even won the prize for Best Clinical Care. That's my boy!


A great day with some special memories!