Two years ago we were led by the Lord to start a school in a small building on land we own. The building is comprised of two rooms so whilst we thought they would be perfect for preschool classes, the parents in the impoverished area thought the first thing to do was to provide schooling for all their children.
Then we explained we could not afford to build the extra classrooms we would require to accommodate their children, they took things into their own hands and built three extra classrooms themselves.
These classrooms were constructed from tree branches for walls and plastic sheeting and straw for the roofs. Desks were made out of tree trunks and planks, and the children settled down to be educated,
The rain poured through the roof, and the hot sun turned the classrooms into very unpleasant places to be. When strong winds blew the structures rocked and threatened to fall down.
The authorities told us to replace the classrooms with brick structures, and we are praying God will provide for the building of these much needed classrooms.
In the meantime, the children have crowded into classrooms, many having to sit on the floor and all those in the temporary classrooms having to move into the preschool classrooms when the weather threatens to collapse their own classrooms.
Despite at times having to crowd 75 pupils into each small preschool room and despite the lack of desks, the children are grateful to our God for the opportunity to receive an education.
During the exams last week, 186 children wrote exams and most pupils passed. These great achievements were celebrated at the school last week with children, their parents, their teachers and my wife Elizabeth and I, giving grateful praise to God.
Elizabeth has also been visiting the children's parents and many have not only given their lives to the Lord but have also started attending our local Iris church where they have been warmly welcomed.
My wife, Elizabeth and I wish you and your families a peaceful, happy Christmas and New Year
Shalom
Richard Malitino
Base director, Iris Global, Zimbabwe