Support Violette's School: A Safe Haven in Zambia

In a world where I am often asked for help—for money, for assistance connecting to the embassy, for advice of various kinds—my Nyanja teacher Violette’s request stands out. Violette is fierce, a street kid who was convinced from her earliest days that education was her lone path out of poverty and child marriage. It took many abusive and unfortunate situations and a lot of courage, but eventually she broke through, earning the local equivalent of a GED and then using the same determination to start her own school.

The school is a small community initiative, and like many projects of its kind, it is more than a school. It’s a resource and safe haven, a pocket of opportunity in a place that doesn’t have much. And because Zambia’s infrastructure is inconsistent on its best day, this rainy season brought flooding to the schoolhouse, an unfinished building she’s been renting to host her 55 elementary school students. The floors are now damp, the desks and chairs ruined. Violette has frequently tried to dream up fundraisers for her school, but when the flood hit, she directly just asked me for help.

Honestly, I could give her the bare minimum she needs on my own (and I will), but I thought, for this season of giving, even though everyone I know seems understandably a little stressed about money, I should try to do Violette one better, because in addition to being a great resource for her community, she has been an amazing resource for me. She has always been available for me to ask questions, and she is the only reason I know phrases like “Don’t put that in your mouth” and “no hitting” and a hundred other things I needed to bridge the communication gap with our newly adopted daughter. Violette has been a tireless supporter of our cause in adopting Mercy, so it felt only fitting that I try to be a supporter of hers. I deeply appreciate any support you have to offer, however large or small. Thanks for stopping by.