As we make our final preparations, we want to express our huge gratitude to our donors. In total, we raised over $10, 000. Donations of any amount will make a huge difference for IVO and help us make an impact in Zambia. We will be purchasing 1350 fruit trees for students to plant in their schools for sustainable activities and to generate long-term income so schools can purchase supplies. Each tree costs $3-4. As well, with the donations we were able to purchase 20 tablets, each costing $88.

We want to thank Bausch and Lomb for an incredible donation of medical supplies which Dr. Huang and the rest of the team will be using in Zimba Mission Hospital for the duration. Any unused supplies will be donated to the hospital for later use. Thank you as well to Alcon for donating eye drops that are pertinent for patient care after surgery.

On March 1 we fly to Africa, and will begin our work on March 11. Thank you again for your support, and keep checking the blog for updates when we arrive!

-Katie

As we make our final preparations, we want to express our huge gratitude to our donors. In total, we raised over $10, 000. Donations of any amount will make a huge difference for IVO and help us make an impact in Zambia. We will be purchasing 1350 fruit trees for students to plant in their schools for sustainable activities and to generate long-term income so schools can purchase supplies. Each tree costs $3-4. As well, with the donations we were able to purchase 20 tablets, each costing $88.

We want to thank Bausch and Lomb for an incredible donation of medical supplies which Dr. Huang and the rest of the team will be using in Zimba Mission Hospital for the duration. Any unused supplies will be donated to the hospital for later use. Thank you as well to Alcon for donating eye drops that are pertinent for patient care after surgery.

On March 1 we fly to Africa, and will begin our work on March 11. Thank you again for your support, and keep checking the blog for updates when we arrive!

-Katie

Hello Friends!

As the day of our departure approaches, thing are getting more hectic. After a few bumps, we've finally gotten the tablets and are in the midst of setting them up and downloading learning apps. With our fundraised money, we purchased 20 tablets (RCA 7" with keyboard). We will be bringing the tablets to Lubaya, Zambia and holding a 5-day course on Introduction to Computer for 37 teachers. The teachers will then be able to bring the tablets back to their respective schools and use them to teach the students. According to Passwell of Kocebuka Community Foundation, who we have been working closely together with, the computer situation in the schools in the area is dismal, and most students have never seen a computer. The current level of education is teaching what a computer is and what it's used for. We have high hopes that the tablets, combined with our course, can bring huge opportunities for the students and teachers of Zambia.

Thank you all for your donations and support! We could not do this without you!

-Katie

Extra thanks to Scott Ratzlaff, Kyle Nissen, and Beth O'Connor for helping with our conga line setup. Future thanks to Mary Colpo for delivering our tablets to Vancouver, and to Robert MacKinnon for delivering them to New West. Thanks also to Wal-Mart for letting us return 20 tablets that weren't good enough for us, and sorry to the customer service lady that I raised my voice at because they weren't delivered on time.

We are here testing out blog posts hoo wee