Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09LUSAKA647
2009-09-21 14:12:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Lusaka
Cable title:  

EMBASSY LUSAKA DAY OF SERVICE

Tags:  KPAO OIIP SCUL ZA 
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VZCZCXYZ0012
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHLS #0647 2641412
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 211412Z SEP 09
FM AMEMBASSY LUSAKA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7284
UNCLAS LUSAKA 000647 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO OIIP SCUL ZA
SUBJECT: EMBASSY LUSAKA DAY OF SERVICE

UNCLAS LUSAKA 000647

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO OIIP SCUL ZA
SUBJECT: EMBASSY LUSAKA DAY OF SERVICE


1. Having identified volunteerism as an activity in need of
strengthening in Zambia, the Ambassador seized upon President
Obama's call to service to establish an Embassy Lusaka "Volunteer
Committee." The Committee's goal is to organize events for staff
wanting to volunteer time and effort to Zambia's many needy people,
to help them become more involved in the local communities, and to
inspire Zambians to do the same.


2. To coincide with President Obama's National Day of Service, the
Volunteer Committee identified a small community school outside of
the Lusaka city limits and worked with the school administration as
well as Catholic Church officials to arrange volunteer activities
that would help the school.


3. Because the school had been burgled and even the doors had been
stolen, one classroom was the repository for all desks and school
equipment. That meant that students had to drag desks daily to and
from classrooms, resulting in significant wear and tear. In
addition, there was nothing of interest or to stimulate children on
the classroom walls. Finally, the school serves as a major source
of meals to many of the local orphaned and vulnerable children, who
rely on its porridge for often their only meal of the day, sometimes
supplemented by vegetables from the school garden.


4. Embassy staff repaired the desks, painted educational murals on
the classroom walls, and enhanced the school garden with seedlings
and a compost heap.


5. More than 50 American and local Embassy staff showed up to
address these issues, with teams dedicated to carpentry, painting
and gardening. Volunteers provided the paint, tools, equipment and
seedlings, but mostly their time and enthusiasm. Local school
children provided encouragement and support, as they sang welcoming
songs and serenaded the workers throughout the morning.


6. In the spirit of public-private partnership, a welder was
brought in, and in exchange for volunteering his time and expertise
in installing burglar bars, Embassy Lusaka agreed to advertise his
craftsmanship and generosity in upcoming embassy newsletters. With
secure rooms, the newly repaired desks will stay in good condition
longer.


9. In his remarks to local leaders, Ambassador Booth underscored
the significance of American and Zambian volunteers working
together. "President Obama has said that education is the currency
of the 21st century, and we believe in those words most vigorously
here at Dedama Community School, and throughout Zambia. Education
of all children-male and female-around the world is critically
important, and we are pleased to have had this opportunity to
illustrate what you can achieve when people are willing to give of
themselves for the betterment of others."


10. Embassy Lusaka's Volunteer Committee plans to organize periodic
volunteer opportunities for embassy staff to assist less privileged
host country nationals and to inspire Zambians to help each other.

BOOTH