KAREN’S PLAY PARK

FLAMBOYANT SPECIAL SCHOOL - MAZABUKA-ZAMBIA

As you may know, Sr. Claude, Sr. Andrea and the Sisters of Mercy founded a school for special needs children in Zambia. Last July, Sr. Claude and Sr. Andrea turned the school over to the Brothers of Charity to run as both were aging and there were no nuns to step in to run the school. They still are involved with the school and oversee our involvement as well. In 2019, through your generosity, the Scott Willis Legacy Foundation provided a grant of $8000 to provide uniforms for the 84 children as well as start a garden program to provide nutritional food for the children and their families. Sr. Claude and her family were in Zambia when they dedicated “Scott’s Garden.” There is a very touching video on You Tube by Sr. Claude’s brother-in-law, Pat Bergin. You’ll see Sr. Claude in the video as well as Scott’s Garden and the school’s playground. The link is below. In 2020, we have provided a grant to date of $3500. The first installment of $1000 sent in February provided seeds, plants and trees to start an orchard. The second and third installments of $1250 each will provide continued improvements to the garden such as sprinklers, water drums, fertilizer etc. and provide improvements to make the playground more accessible to the disabled children they serve. On March 26th, Brother Jose sent us the following update:

We would like to thank you once again for supporting Flamboyant Special School without your support I cannot imagine how our garden could look like. With the funds received from you we cleaned the field around the school and it was well prepared for our orchard and vegetable garden. We bought about 23 plants (oranges and some few lemon trees) and all were planted. The pupils and the staff are always busy watering them as we see them growing well. We also have cabbage and onions in our garden, we wanted to expand it but unfortunately everything was interrupted by the pandemic Coronavirus whereby the Zambian Ministry of Education announced that all schools should closed for a period of one month. But as administrators we organized some senior students to come to water plants and vegetables 4 times per week. The garden is also helping to feed the village at this time. Thank you very much and we hope you are safe from Coronavirus our prayer is that may the almighty God protect you from this pandemic virus. Below are some pictures of our orchard and garden and we look forward to continue receiving support from you. God bless you all.

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On May 16th, 2020 our sister Karen Springston passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with the Covid19 virus. On May 24, 2020 Brother Jose sent us this email after learning of Karen’s passing:

Dear Madams Diane and Kathy,

We want to paint a wall and draw after her name and our play park will name it after "Karen" In the attachment there is a picture where there is a man showing where we want to paint and draw after her. Blessings!

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A Play Park for special needs children at Flamboyant Special School in Zambia was named in honor of Karen. It is right next to Scott’s Garden. Karen had a loving way with special needs children and we know that she will be smiling in heaven watching the children play. On May 16, 2021 they held a special party to remember her Angelversary and on May 19, 2021 they celebrated what would have been her 66th birthday.

We are so grateful for everyone’s support and thank the following for donating in memory of our beloved sister.

  • Joanne Augustyniak

  • Lisa & Mike Boddicker

  • James & Olivia Boddicker

  • Mary Gamberdella

  • Meredith & Barry Geisler

  • Roz Healy & The Healy Family

  • Deb Hines

  • Lori & Scott Hutchison

  • Chris Keif

  • Annette Miller

  • Gloria & Ed Schroeder

  • Cate & John Sergeant

  • Susan Skiles

  • Mary Margaret Stepanian

  • Megan Tress

  • Marybeth & Larry Young

  • Bonnie & Phil Wohlfort

  • Annie Wright

The students love Karen’s Play Park and the teachers and staff are holding their meetings there because it gives them inspiration. Below are some of the photos we received of the construction, completion and her birthday and Angelversary celebrations.