CHEP (the Copperbelt Health Education Project) held its first quarterly review meeting for this year's group of peer educators in April. The peer educators were able to highlight areas where they felt they needed more help or resources. They also attend regular monthly meetings to share their experiences.

Joseph Mwamba (left) is one of this year's peer educators and he writes: "This program has helped me to have a different view about life.

Being orphaned is something horrible for every child in a deprived family. I lost my father when I was one year old and mother when I was two years. After inception into peer education with CHEP I have gained strength to focus on my life. The knowledge I have acquired from CHEP will not only help me share with my peers in schools but will broaden the scope of responsibility in my future sexual lifestyle.

Last month I went for voluntary counselling and testing at New Start Centre, (a VCT centre in Kitwe) to know my HIV status. The counsellor counselled me and I had my test results. It was encouraging to know that am negative."

A New Curriculum for Bwafwano School

This year the school curriculum has undergone radical reform, in terms of content, structure, teaching methods, relevance and pedagogical approach.

Bwafwano School is working towards putting into practice a Zambian Ministry of Education policy, "Educating Our Future". A new teaching method, interactive radio instruction, has been introduced. It is called "Learning at Taonga Market" (LTM). Lessons are broadcast on national radio every day for grades 1 to 7, in order to complement what is learnt in normal classes.

Our Education Programme in Kitwe

The Zambian school year starts in January, and is now well underway. On 3rd February 2007, 55 contact teachers, drawn from schools across Kitwe, were invited to a one-day workshop. The Chairman of Cecily's Fund, Basil Eastwood, attended this workshop and introduced Hodi, our new implementing partner.

The forum provided Hodi with an opportunity to interact with the contact teachers and to discuss in detail how Hodi would approach the implementation of Cecily’s Fund's education programme.

During February, Hodi staff visited all the schools where we are supporting orphaned and vulnerable children, to ensure that they will continue to receive support. Our records were updated where children have moved to a different school, so that payment of user/administrative and examination fees could be made by the end of February.