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2020 Accomplishments

On behalf of the Barbara Barnes Foundation, I would like to thank everyone who gave such generous donations in 2020. Your contribution makes it possible for us to continue our mission of “Developing self-sufficiency through education in villages in Zambia.” The donations were used in support of several key accomplishments in 2020.

While COVID-19 presented limitations in our ability to travel to Nsongwe this year it did not hinder our resolve to complete our goals. The Foundation was able to sponsor 17 children in boarding school, 1 child in boarding school for disabled children, 4 children in public school, 3 young adults in college, and 1 young adult in Nursing school.

COVID-19 presented new challenges and needs in Nsongwe. As a result, we refocused our efforts on supporting the feeding program at the Nsongwe school. At one donor’s recommendation we added ground nuts (aka peanuts) to the nshima the children eat. Since ground nuts have a seasonal availability, we then introduced milk when the nuts were no longer available. These helped to supplement the much-needed protein in their diets. We continue to work with the village leaders to understand the needs and respond accordingly.

This year’s celebration of the Grandparents in the village still took place, but with a changed focus. We were able to supply them with corn for nshima 3 time this year. Moreover, we supplied them with ground nuts or milk based on eithers availability.

These accomplishments are only possible because of the thoughtful contributions from people like you and we look forward to your continued support in the future.

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2019 Nsongwe Visit Newsletter

Barbara Barnes Foundation

2019 Nsongwe Visit Newsletter

“EDUCATION IS THE MOST POWERFUL WEAPON WHICH YOU CAN USE TO CHANGE THE WORLD.”

NELSON MANDELA

Note from Barbara & Randy

Dear Family and Friends,

Most of you will recognize the quote from Nelson Mandela and know I am writing you about Nsongwe Village.  Many of you have been donating to this little village in Zambia for years, know you have made a difference.  Randy and I will again be going to Nsongwe in June, which is a surprise to some.  Nsongwe pulls at my heart so I guess we will be going until we can’t.   Last year had some surprises for me health wise. On March 5th I had back lumbar surgery. It has been a slow recovery, but I am better every day and will be ready to go.
You may remember from the last two year’s letters Brenda and David Kerstine who have joined our team and they have performed wonders.  They set up the Barbara Barnes Foundation which has received federal charitable organization status, 501(c)(3), that allows your donations to be deductible, set up Facebook pages so you can see pictures of previous trips and a power point presentation. They have also found sponsors for many students which is one of their priorities.

Note from Brenda & David

Through 2018 into 2019 the Barbara Barnes Foundation, with your donations, has been able to sponsor seven children in High School. Five of these students are attending boarding school and two attending day school. Leveraging our partnership with the local school district we visited each boarding school to meet with the students and tour the facilities. In addition to the students sponsored through High School the Foundation was able to sponsor one young adult student in Nursing School.

In our 2018 visit we had the opportunity to take my youngest daughter, Whitney to experience this wonderful opportunity of giving to others. When we arrived, she looked around and asked what should I do? She quickly connected with the children by sharing stickers, candies, and handing things out in the classes. She shared with them her passion around caring for the environment encouraging them to take care of their land so it will continue to take care of them.

The giving doesn’t stop here. Continue to the Projects section of the newsletter to see our latest projects beyond the school in which Mathews Nyemba braved a journey from the village to San Antonio, T

 

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Songwe 2018 Visit Planning Letter

“EDUCATION IS THE MOST POWERFUL WEAPON WHICH YOU CAN USE TO CHANGE THE WORLD” NELSON MANDELA

Welcome old friends and new as we humbly ask you to be part of an effort to change the world in the small village of Songwe, Zambia. Education is crucial to prepare future leaders and citizens for meaningful self government because it opens the door to find new ways to achieve a better life.  Educated people learn to create solutions to simple and complex problems and that knowledge is invariably shared to educate others. Education first benefits the individual, then their communities and ultimately small changes become global changes. Your tax-deductible donations will help educate children in the impoverished village of Songwe while simultaneously bringing great joy and hope to the community. 

For the twentieth consecutive year, we will be heading off for another visit to our beloved village of Songwe to bring supplies addressing basic and educational needs. Randy and I will travel with Wade Hartwell and Brenda and David Kerstine arriving in Songwe Village on July 14th.  We are very excited to begin work on many important projects. 

NEW THIS YEAR

Brenda and David, who joined our team in 2017, had a busy year adding needed and quality changes to enhance the work and efficacy of our mission; the most significant accomplishment being the creation of a 501 (c)(3) foundation! This is a Big Deal and could be a true game changer as all donations are now tax deductible within the guidelines of the current tax code. Brenda and David also put together a power point presentation explaining the enormous benefits of the foundation and the importance of it receiving federal charitable organization status. You will find it in an attachment to this letter. 

FACEBOOK PAGES

Help Songwe and Travel Within Reach

On our website and Facebook pages, you can see pictures of previous trips: the curious and enthusiastic children, the school, the clinic, living conditions and some of our many accomplishments and/or ongoing projects.

GUESTS

Marty and Nancy Simpson, my cousins, will be arriving on July 18th bringing many suitcases full of soccer uniforms that will thrill the kids.  They have been faithful donors supporting the school and donating shoes for many years.

My kids, Sam with wife Steph and Shelby with husband Trey, and grandchildren, Logan, Ethan and Lucila will be arriving on July 24th.  This will be an amazing opportunity for them   but my greatest hope is that the experience will inspire one, or all of them, to continue the work of the foundation.

                                                                          PROJECTS

Our pre-school, for 4-6 year old children, continues to help approximately sixty students get an early education. This has proven to be quite successful as our first graders continue to score higher than children in other communities due to the advantage of attending preschool. Unfortunately, preschool isn’t available in other villages.

This year we would like to purchase new school uniforms, which are currently mandatory, if we receive enough donations.  Most of the uniforms worn by students are old and very raggedy.

Your donations support many of our on-going projects:  the pre-school, books, school supplies, teachers’ aids, sports equipment, sanitary pads (which encourage girls to stay in school), the salary for the custodian who cleans the outhouses and many other items too numerous to mention.

After painting two classrooms and the clinic last year, inside and out, our goal this year will be painting more classrooms.

Songwe school only goes through 9th grade. We ae looking for sponsors who would be willing to finance a student through high school or college. Many children and young adults in this region fully grasp the extreme privilege of receiving an education. Funds to provide such a dream would never be wasted and could lead to amazing opportunities as the domino effect would translate into cumulative education for others.

DONATIONS

Donations can be made by using “Donate” button on the Help Songwe Facebook page or this DONATE link.

All donations are appreciated and bring hope to those who have so little. As always, all donations will go to the benefit of the village. Please consider sharing your blessings.

Knowing what donations we can count on greatly helps our team with pre-trip buying and planning. Randy and I will be leaving on July 12th so, if possible, we would appreciate donations arriving here by July 1st.

With sincere gratitude,

Barbara and Randy

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