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NEWSLETTERJUNE 2015
This month we explore continuous quality improvement
as we dare to dream.
Professional development…………………………..Pages 2 & 3Look what’s new………………………………………Pages 4 & 5Health and wellbeing…………………………………Pages 6 & 7From Emerald………………………………………….Page 8For a trip quick around Australia…………………..Page 9Back to Melbourne……………………………………Page 10 - 13Upgrading………………………………………………Page 14Strengthened by support……………………………Pages 15 & 16Planning for the future……………………………….Page 17A special treat………………………………………….Pages 18-19
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Professional Development
Our students work hard and so do our teachers. We value their commitment to their chosen career and acknowledge their desire to maintain and improve their teaching practices.
We believe that developing the capabilities of our teachers ensures better educational standards for our students.
With thanks to some of our most generous sponsors, the staff are being financially supported in these endeavours. Without such support, the opportunity for their professional development would be limited or unavailable.
Our new teacher, Gerald, pictured above, is settling into the school and has taken over the teaching of the grade four students using the container classroom. A welcome addition to our teaching staff and qualified with a Certificate in Teaching (Primary), Gerald is currently enrolled a Chalimbana Teacher’s College where he is pursuing his Primary Teaching Diploma by distance learning.
Of course, the need for extra teaching space does put a squeeze on our already compromised facility. The current year six students, six in total, and their teacher Susan have been accommodated in a newly created classroom in the shade shelter. Although rather cool in winter, every effort has been made to have the outdoor classroom operational.
Our six senior students and teacher Susan
The year six students are our senior students in the school and during 2016, as year seven students, will participate in a c o u n t r y w i d e e x t e r n a l examination to determine their entrance eligibility for high school. This is a major educat iona l mi les tone fo r students and their preparation is extremely important.
Having teacher Gerald on staff will allow teacher Susan to concentrate on the education of our class of senior students.
Susan is currently completing her Primary Teacher’s Diploma to complement her Early Childhood Certificate and the ZATEC Certificate of Teaching (Primary).
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As with Susan, Jannipher, left, who teaches our year two and three students, has an Early Childhood Certificate and is studying for her Primary Teacher’s Diploma. This is the minimum qualification accepted by Government schools, with teachers to have this qualification or be studying towards it, so our school is working towards such a teaching standard.
Susan and Jannipher began this study in December 2013 and are due to complete it towards the end of this year. They attend lectures for two weeks in each school holidays and do assignments during term time. They are scheduled to complete a practical component soon.
Evelyn received her Early Childhood Certificate in July 2014. She then went on to do a Diploma in Early Childhood which she received in December of that year.
Evelyn is currently attending computer lessons, with Susan and Jannipher planning to attend similar classes on the completion of their other studies. Without ready access to a computer, practice after the lessons is very difficult.
Following a recent presentation by Alison to the Laverton Point Cook Rotary Club, member Mr. Frank Smitiri donated a refurbished laptop computer to our school for Evelyn’s use. This computer will be tucked into the luggage of CaAtherine when she travels to Zambia as a volunteer in July. We are delighted to provide Evelyn with the use of this computer to recognise her commitment to professional development.
Meanwhile, our caretaker Lovely is participating in the computer lessons, being sponsored by former project manager Nicole. Lovely is devoting time to teach our students to sew. We will enjoy seeing the results of the computer and the sewing classes.
For professional development of another type, our supporter and artist Maxine is in Greece to conduct an art workshop. Readers of the newsletter will remember Maxine as contributing financially through the sale of her “Hairy Dog” sketches.
Maxine is brushing up her professional skills prior to the commencement of teaching the art classes by pen sketches of what she sees from her hotel window.
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It was an exciting day when Mr. K.J.’s truck arrived carrying new desks for the students.
The purchase of these desks was made possible by a generous donation from The S.M.E.C. Foundation under the stewardship of Mr. Les. Douglas.
Katoba explains “The students are very happy and so is their teacher to have desks to sit on and write properly. The students have said that the new desks are way better than the old ones on which they had to be careful not to sit on a protruding nail. The students are also getting older and taller and so the new desks are perfect for their growing bodies”.
The SMEC Foundation’s philosophy is “a small amount of money, spent wisely, can produce far-reaching social and economic benefits”. We thank them for their trust in our charity. Project supervisor Katoba reports that the children are taking great pride in their new desks which are being treated with the utmost care.
There are plans afoot for the use of the old desks with more about that in a later edition.
Look what’s new
Introducing Mr. K.J.Mr. Krishnan Jagadheeswaran, affectionately known as Mr. K.J., is a businessman in Lusaka who learnt of our charity through mee t ing ou r f o rmer p ro jec t manager Nicole at the Rotary Club of Maluba.
Subsequen t l y, Mr. K .J . has facilitated the monthly delivery of the bags of mealie meal, providing both truck and driver at no cost to our charity.
Always so generous, Mr. K.J. organised for the delivery of our desks. To this kind man goes our thanks and appreciation of the ongoing help he affords us.
New Desks
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Our volunteer Diane regularly reads to the children and methodically cares for our little library. Recently Diane bought along friends Kelly and Gabriel who were visiting from America.
The staff and students were delighted to welcome the visitors and were most grateful to receive a gift of new books for everyone to share.
Although having previously donated books for our library, this was the first time Kelly and Gabriel had been to our school and they were made to feel very welcome and once again their donation of books was much appreciated.
Tucked into the bags of uniforms, ferried over the Indian Ocean by volunteers John, Brian and Claire were these beautiful new sweaters. The students wear them proudly. Don’t they look wonderful!
New Sweaters
New Library Books
New Year Seven Text Books
We are preparing for 2016 and our first ever year seven class. Our six senior students will require appropriate text books at a considerable cost to our charity.
Using a donation from the Peninsula Art Group, Victoria, these books can now be purchased and paid for in full. How can we adequately show our appreciation for this contribution except to say thank you? Hopefully we can bring you photos next year of our students busy at work with these learning essentials.
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Guardians’ medical requirements
Health and wellbeing
Striking the balance between work and play is important to ensure happy and healthy children. Thursday afternoons are eagerly anticipated by our students when the school is engaged in recreational play activities. Despite the limited outdoor facilities, every inch of space is utilised to ensure a wonderful afternoon.
Dr. Andrew Moss and his wife Jenni, from Nowra, have provided funds to go towards the sponsorship of the guardians’ medical requirements.
The management team is delighted to receive this contribution and believe that the improved health and wellbeing of the guardians will reflect on that of our students.
Thank you for your generous and unsolicited donation which will make a real difference.
All about balance
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Bounty Boulevard State School continues their interest in our school, donating money for four weeks of fruit.
After conducting an art workshop at Dookie, Catherine Hamilton forwarded funds, kindly donated by one of her students, for a week of fruit.
Scott Hale has returned from Peru, raising sufficient funds for forty-five weeks of fruit! More about Scott’s trek later in the newsletter.
Friday Fruit
A c t i n g o n t h e recommendat ion of our school nurse Carol, the s t u d e n t s a r e t a k i n g a multivitamin to supplement their diet every day for one month.
Administered by the staff to a l l t h e s t u d e n t s , t h i s supplement is given in syrup form to those seven years and younger while in tablet form for those eight years and older.
Friday Fruit is a very important addition to the food that is provided to our students and staff. The expense of this fruit continues to be met by members and friends of Our Rainbow House to support this healthy eating initiative. It is interesting to review just how this “fruit” money is generated.
CaAtherine and friends Dionne and Monica, held a garage sale to fund their “Meet and Greet” afternoon. They found there was enough change to supply the school with five weeks of fruit. Funds from the afternoon raffle went to pay for a further two weeks of fruit for the school while Melinda, a friend of CaAtherines could not attend and donated a week of fruit.
Alison and CaAtherine attended the Africa Day Gala Dinner during Alison's whirlwind Melbourne visit. While chatting with other table guests Alison told how fifty dollars a week supplied the children with fruit. In a flash one of the guests Noemi, pictured left, handed over a fifty dollar note to Alison. It was a priceless moment. Alison was speechless. Thank you Noemi for your impromptu donation.
We are humbled by the generosity of our “fruity” friends. This allows us to complement the student’s school diet with delicious fruit. We wish you could be at our school on any given Friday to see the students enjoy this treat.
Multivitamins
Teacher Jannipher administers the multivitamins.
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From Emerald…
Wonderful supporters William, Rick and Doug
Jingwen and Jasmine enjoyed our celebration
Former Volunteer Mark
Sereana sang
Our little birthday celebration, held in Emerald during May, was a time of fun, friendship and a little reflection. Members and friends gathered in the Emerald Rotary Club shed and enjoyed Our Rainbow House hospitality and a little singing by Sereana.
Happy Birthday
Busy Hands
Not only are the members of Emerald’s “Handmade with Love” sewing but they are busily knitting delightful little beanies and tie-dying the white frocks for our students. Furthermore, they “out sourced” some sewing to Annette Sue in Mackay who has completed shirts and shorts for our boys, along with little frocks for the girls.
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for a trip around Australia…..
Mackay , a t the ga teway to the Great Barrier Reef a n d k n o w n f o r sugar and mining i n d u s t r i e s , h a s seen Annette very busy on her sewing m a c h i n e , completing some b e a u t i f u l l i t t l e dresses, along with shirts and shorts,
E m e r a l d houses the c h a r i t y office.
Groote Eylandt
BuderimEmerald
Perth, the capital city of Western Australia, is where social media and website manager CaAtherine will be spending several weeks before and after volunteering in Zambia. CaAtherine will be working to spread the Our Rainbow House message in Perth.
B u d e r i m Cherie, David a n d f r i e n d s s o r t e d a n d p a c k e d donated winter uniforms that h a v e b e e n f re igh ted to Zambia.
Mackay
With the office of Our Rainbow House situated in Emerald, many day to day activities occur there. However, members and friends across our great continent share the passion and contribute to our project. For this we are most appreciative. Here is a sneak peak!
Duncan, the sponsor of our student Julius, continues his keen interest in Our Rainbow House activities from his workplace on Groote Eylandt in the Northern Territory. This unique and diverse island, surrounded by an abundant marine environment, is home to an indigenous community as well as a magnesium mine. Duncan is working there as a project manager at the mine.
Alison attended a r e c e n t w o r k s h o p i n B r i s b a n e conducted by Westpac Social Sector bankers.
Melbourne, the capital city of Victoria, where Alison and CaAtherine recently participated in a week of Our Rainbow House engagements.
Dampier is the port for the Pilbara region of W e s t e r n A u s t r a l i a , known for unsurpassed natural beauty, vast mineral deposits and amazing indigenous art and cu l t u re . Ou r insurance officer Katrina will keep her eye on our insurance matters while v is i t ing the Pi lbara, sourcing images for her artistic pursuits.
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Alison and CaAtherine met with Bright, originally from Lusaka and the
Founding Director of “Carers of Africa Inc” in Melbourne. This organisation was formed to help disadvantaged families and communities in Africa to lead healthier lives. It also assists with health issues of disadvantaged Africans living in Melbourne.
CaAtherine explains “It was fabulous to be in the room with Bright and Alison as they discussed the success that comes from all the hard work that happens behind the scenes. Bright extended to us an invitation to be at his table on Saturday evening at the Africa Day Gala Dinner to be held at the Peninsula, Docklands, Melbourne. We accepted this invitation”.
We are grateful to Mr. Russell Hayes from “Wheelchairs for Kids in the Ranges” for arranging this meeting with Bright.
What a wonderful event the African Day Gala Dinner was! Alison and CaAtherine, along with three hundred other guests, enjoyed a night full of colour, music, and wonderful food. A l i s o n a n d C a A t h e r i n e w e r e awestruck by the exemplary table service by the amazing staff.
To Bright goes our heartfelt gratitude for giving of his time, his African knowledge and expertise and such hospitality. Alison and CaAtherine felt honoured.
A week of meeting, greeting, brain-storming and learning for Alison who, accompanied by social media and website officer CaAtherine, filled days and nights on an Our Rainbow House mission. CaAtherine’s home and car became their office!
As a result, Alison and CaAtherine have many new friends. Furthermore, more people know about our charity and have become captivated by the passion and spirit of our project. Alison and CaAtherine met up with some old friends as well.
The kindness and generousity extended to CaAtherine and Alison was humbling and whilst thank you letters have been forwarded to all of those involved in this week’s activities, we would like to acknowledge the many hands of friendship and support that were extended to our “girls” .
..and back to Melbourne.
Mr. Bright Chinganya
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Toorak Rotary Club
Altona Rotary Club
Laverton Point Cook Rotary Club
Alison and CaAtherine were welcomed at Toorak and Altona Rotary Clubs and were joined by Catherine at Laverton Point Cook Rotary Club.
They were invited to present the project to the members and w e r e d e l i g h t e d w i t h t h e enthusiastic response. Indeed, they felt honoured to spend time with these Rotarians.
Rotary Club Visits
Dr. Ahmed
Dr Ahmed, the director of “African Think Tank”, met with Alison and CaAtherine and it is anticipated that from this meeting assistance in our search for land for our future school could eventuate. Thank you Dr. Ahmed for giving your time to our charity.
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CaAtherine and Alison enjoyed many and varied meetings in Melbourne.
Here they are with an inspiring group of professional ladies, with whom they shared our charity.
T h e s e w e r e i n d e e d w o m e n o f substance and it was an inspiring meeting
Professional ladies group
Meet and Greet Afternoon Tea
The “Meet And Greet”, organised by CaAtherine, provided Alison with an opportunity to mix with an amazing group of “Melbournites” and it proved to be an incredible afternoon. The room was filled with ex-students, friends, surrogate children and house-mates of CaAtherine. Alison was overwhelmed by the quality and support for CaAtherine these people shared throughout the event.
Alison's presentation captivated this audience who asked questions and like sponges, soaked up all she offered.
The owner of the venue, Costa, right, from Foxtrot Charlie Cafe in Brunswick and his wonderful staff Zac and Courtney made Alison and CaAatherine feel welcome and couldn't do enough for them. Steve the chef prepared a trio of scrumptious sweet treats that had the guests salivating.
Our gratitude to CaAtherine and her friends for embracing our charity and giving Alison such a warm welcome. We also appreciated the fantastic feedback from some of the guests.
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It was wonderful for Alison and Catherine Hamilton to spend time catching up and reminiscing about their time together in Zambia.
Catherine, a former volunteer, was able to give CaAtherine wonderful advice about her pending trip to our school.
The continued interest in and support of our charity from Catherine, in particular through her wonderful artwork, is very much appreciated.
Alison took the opportunity to met up with family friend Patience, her husband Chris and their brand new son Stirling. Oh, what a beautiful baby!
Patience is a great friend of Matt Collins from Tourica Tours and it is thanks to Patience that Matt is now assist ing Our Rainbow House, planning a bike riding tour that will contribute financially to our charity.
For our project to grow and develop, every resource must be tapped, every opportunity grasped and the week in Melbourne was about that. Our thanks to CaAtherine for being the assistant to Alison, for her invaluable input and for her generous contributions. Thank you Alison for committing your time for this Melbourne expedition. A superb effort.
CaAatherine welcomed the oppor tun i t y to introduce Alison to her friend Danielle and children.
S a y s C a A t h e r i n e “These two angels are my God-children, Eva-Jean Chiamaka, and Ambrose Chinemerem
I wouldn't be sharing the amazing Our Rainbow House journey is it wasn't for my beautiful dear friend, and because of them I met Leane Littleton who introduced me to Alison. The rest they say is history. I now find myself with fabulous new friends and a project that fills my heart with love.
Meeting Some Old Friends
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Upgrading
Katoba displays the Certificate of Registration with the Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health.
The Government of Zambia has an N.G.O. (Non Governmental Organisations) Act requiring all N.G.O.s to be registered.
Further registration is required as our charity operates a small school. After quite a deal of detail, we now have our certificate of registration as required.
Alison is pictured below sharing discussion with Gillian French, left, Director, Development and Alumni, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus and Tracey Adams, CEO Boystown, Brisbane
Our management team are working to become acquainted with the information necessary to commence our application.
Organisations or agencies with DGR status may receive tax deductible gifts such as financial donations and make certain tax deductible contributions.
The attainment of this registration will be a tough challenge but we believe a most worthwhile one and will justify the efforts of our management team. We will advise our readers of progress of this application in coming months.
DGR status is issued by the Australian Taxation Office when a not-for-profit organisation is able to furnish the required information.
Our management team have earmarked the attainment of DGR status as a priority and every effort will be made to achieve this in the most cost effective and efficient manner
Vicki, Bernardine and Alison work on the DGR trail.
Deductible Gift Recipient
Our Director Al ison completed a recent philanthropic workshop, conducted by Westpac’s Social Sector Banking specialists, and felt encouraged after sharing funding concerns with other not-for-profit organisations.
A melting pot of information, this forum was a wonderful chance to meet some inspiring people, to hear of the challenges they have overcome and to reinforce the need for Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status for our charity.Certificate of Registration
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STRENGTHENED BY SUPPORT
Home after an amazing trekking holiday in Peru, Scott reflects on the tough challenge of six days of “blister-inducing” hiking. “We trekked past the magnificent Salcantay and saw a mini avalanche, then climbing up until we hit our highest point, a pass at 5000 metres, in a blizzard. We went down valleys and up mountains, passed villages and friendly villagers. We reached the Sun Gate, looking down on Machu Picchu on a perfect day”.
Scott raised in excess of $2,200 for Our Rainbow House through this trek for charity. Scott is grateful to those who contributed, and so are we!! It has been decided that the funds from this charity trek will be used for the purchase of Friday fruit.
So Scott, for forty-five Friday nights when you sit down for your dinner, please think of the students at Our Rainbow House school having fruit because you chose our Charity.
When volunteer Catherine was in Zambia, she noted that the little babies all wore beanies. Her friend Lorraine is now busily producing these very small and beautifully warm beanies for new borns.
These will be part of the luggage of our volunteers in July and given to our caregivers for distribution.
Not just any bike!!
Our previous newsletter welcomed the donation of funds for the purchase of three bicycles for use by our caregivers. The bikes have been purchased and the presentation to our treasured caregivers is planned.
Beanies for babies
Not Just Any Trek!!
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The Emerald Lions Club is part-sponsor of our student Arthur who lives with his ill mother.
A r e c e n t m o d e s t addition to their home remains unfinished and their roof needs repair.
Arthur is an excellent student and committed to his education.
Jasmine, a friend of former volunteer Catherine, last year most generously donated funds for the purchase of musical instruments for our school.
With continued interest in our students and their music educat ion, Jasmine has contributed further funds to assist in the provision of music tuition for the students.
The investment made by Jasmine in the musical opportunities for our students is wonderfully received. Thank you Jasmine.
During July, team members Alison and Suzie along with volunteer CaAtherine will be spending a month at our project in Zambia.
Repeat visits for Alison and Suzie but first time visit for CaAtherine, the volunteering experience is a tough but most rewarding one.
We wish our girls safe travel and a wonderful month at our project. Their visit will be eagerly awaited by staff and students alike. We look forward to many photos and stories.
If any of our readers would like more information about what volunteering involves, why not contact our coordinator Sophie.
A former volunteer, Sophie is a wealth of knowledge about this exciting opportunity and would welcome your enquiry
Music Volunteers
Roof repairs More uniforms dispatched
Cherie, David and friends on the Sunshine Coast packed up a further supply of beautiful uniforms to go across to our school. Focusing on warm clothing, this shipment of uniforms has been dispatched by air freight and our students should be enjoying them soon.
The Lions Club has donated funds to cover the cost of a new roof for Arthur’s home, making an incalculable difference to the lives of Arthur and his mother.
Thank you to the Emerald Lions Club for your support.
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PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
With six only students in the class of year six, this became the chosen class to be accommodated in the shade shelter. While not an ideal classroom, the best use of our available space is being achieved. However, it is very evident that we have outgrown our school. We dare to dream of our own school facility with adequate classrooms and playground to provide educational opportunities that might otherwise be denied our students.
This stylish apron is our future “look” in the kitchen.
Much of the fund raising activities of our charity have centred on the provision of food. Future functions w i l l s e e o u r a s s i s t a n t s beautifully attired in Our Rainbow House aprons , s e e n h e r e o n D i r e c t o r ’ s Assistant Sam
Our future planning is part of the ongoing commitment of our management team, who remain most appreciative of the support given by members and friends.
If you would like to know more about our charity, our Facebook page and Website are full of interesting information.
An email to our director Alison would be promptly answered and further information given.
You are most welcome to come along to a management meeting, the next of which is on Wednesday June 17th commencing at 5.30pm at 4 Powell St., Emerald.
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A note from the editor:
As a little sweetener for those of you who have read the seventeen pages of our newsletter, I have included several painting by our former volunteer and wonderful supporter Catherine Hamilton. You will enjoy them.
The first work of art was the prize for the winner of a raffle, conducted at Catherine ’s Art Exhibition in 2014. The winner was Sylvia Bramberry. Lucky Sylvia I say!!
The second work of art is a recently completed depiction of the Cycle Shop in our village. As the shop is where our newly purchased bicycles will be serviced, this painting has taken on even more meaning.
I know you will enjoy them both. I love them. Pam
A FEW SPECIAL TREATS
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Another treat for us are these images of Catherine conducting art classes during her time at our school as a volunteer. Oh, what a special treat for our students!
