Highlight of Last Week!!

What a wonderful celebration of excellence for students at Hillcrest College last Thurs. evening, where Carly and Michael Kies attend school!   They are definitely in the minority, along with a few other white students, but are very well accepted and an integral part of the school fabric and leadership.  Hillcrest has recently received some very high honors for their strong academic and sports program.  It is also a boarding school, so some students come from too far away to go home each evening.  (FYI ~~ No education in Zim. is free.  Even to attend government-operated schools, fees must be paid.  And of course, fees are much higher if students attend a private school!)

Let me explain that the term "college" is used here to indicate education from 7th grade through (high school) graduation.  Thus, the importance of saying that you attend "university" once you have finished your "college!"  The educational system here follows the British format, so students attend a primary school from first through sixth grade (U.S.)  Then they do Forms 1-6, followed by "O" levels and "A" levels (Honors and top Honors, I think!)  The end-of-year exams are from Cambridge in the U.K., usually ALL essay questions.  Once exams are over they are sent back to Cambridge for scoring/grading!  So, Carly, as a senior, is finished with all of her classes, will write her exams between now and the end of Nov., but won't hear the results for another two months!

All the students were dressed in their classy-looking uniforms of navy blazers and pants or skirts, and white shirts/blouses with a necktie.  Upper level seniors all wore a beige/grey blazer.  For participation in clubs, various sports, and other leadership roles, they receive a small "patch" with the name of the sport or club, etc.  These are sown on the blazer in the same manner as athletic "letters," music "symbols," etc. are in the States.  And they all have billed hats with "H C" embroidered on them.

We arrived at the school just before dusk.  The outdoor setting was the same hillside where I had watched Michael and others in their paintball competition a few weeks ago.  But now chairs were set up on various levels leading down to the platform stage with risers for the choir, chairs for faculty, honors seniors, a piano, and room on one side for their junior band!  As the evening wore on a nearly full moon rose in the East, and a cool breeze brought a chill by the end of the program.

This particular event is called "Speech Night," and would be comparable to what we did at Clay High School with our Awards Night, though ours included only Seniors.  Students in all levels and subject areas were recognized for excellence ~~ some received "book awards," often a dictionary; and others received various sizes of trophies, usually silver.  One student in each Form received "Honors Awards."

Other awards were given for character, leadership and service ~~ all VERY IMPRESSIVE.  One young lady won lots of accolades for her accomplishments in track, and even represented all of Zimbabwe in Nigeria and later in Europe in international competitions!!!  Character, leadership and service qualities are highly stressed in education here, so it isn't just the student with the highest grades or SAT scores that gets the most recognition!!

This event is called "Speech Night," though, because it is the time when the female and male valedictorians give their speeches!  Carly's was excellent and delivered with great confidence and humor!  She took the letters of "Hillcrest," and named the various qualities she had learned during her years there.  As Head Girl Prefect/Valedictorian, she also received a huge (but very light) gold trophy, which is the highest honor given there!!  We were all so proud of her for all her accomplishments!!  This trophy is not given every year, so you know she was at the very top of her class in EVERY respect!!

Various musical groups performed during the program, and the Manicaland Provincial Minister of Education gave an excellent speech of thanks and encouragement for all their achievements.  Tea and light refreshments were served by the parents at the end of the program.  It was so uplifting to be able to share this evening with the Kies' family and friends!!

This event totally overshadowed the fact that for 2-3 days earlier in the week we had no or very slow computer connection!  The lack of adequate infrastructure throughout this country is keeping it from developing at a pace that will lift it out of the poverty that the majority of folks live with day in and day out.

On Monday, Dr. Machinga and I will be hosting an Open House in a large tent outside the Health Center where our office is located.  It is to help all the staff (300-400) learn about the many counseling and career services we offer.  We have also invited some outside vendors to come and provide information about healthy lifestyles, the need for exercise, stress reduction, an improved self image, etc., etc.  We're praying that it will be received well, and that staff, as well as students, will be able to live happier, more productive lives!  There is very little knowledge or emphasis on good mental health here, so we hope this will provide new opportunities for folks to receive help.  Please pray that it will be so!

Until next time ~~ God is Good, All the Time, and All the Time, God is Good!!!