The Connecting Classrooms Experience

Ross Duke, Cynthia Chisangano & Doug Staff10479231_846008622113048_1964228741086643608_n

 

Although there were only three guests on the most recent edition of the Chanters Lodge Experience with the Milli Jam Ingredient featuring Jay Hillz, there were a lot of different organizations represented. Lights For Learning, British Council, Connecting Classrooms and the Butterfly Tree amongst others! ‘The Experience’ is our weekly radio show airing on Zambezi fm every Sunday at 20.30 hrs for an hour live.

Our guests were (right to left above) Ross Duke, Cynthia Chisangano and Doug Staff. Cynthia and Doug were previous guests on our show back in 2012 while Ross was on the programme for the first time. He told our listeners that it was also his first time to be in Zambia and indeed Africa. Ross and Doug are both teachers in Swindon, UK, Ross at Isambard School and Doug at Crowdys Hill School. Cynthia is a teacher of special needs children at David Livingstone
Secondary School in Livingstone.

Doug and Ross had brought with them from UK a solar lighting system which they had successfully installed in Kamwi Basic School in Mukuni Village (children above). The British Council, Butterfly Tree and Lights for Learning were all involved in the project together with the Rotary Club of Cirencester back in England. Connecting Classrooms were involved in Ross coming out to Zambia to familiarize himself with David Livingstone Secondary School, teaching and reviewing the operation. He was very much enjoying the project. Both Doug and Ross were supported by Connecting Classrooms, a British Council initiative.

The music on the show featured tracks from Ella Eyre, Taylor Swift ft Kendrik Lamar, Tinie Tempah ft Jess Glynne, Jack U ft Justin Bieber, Keri Hilson, Braso, Trey Songz and Macky 2. We were rocking!

Milli Jam wanted to know what had changed in Doug’s life since he was last on our show and he told listeners that he now spent less time teaching in the classroom and more time out on the River Thames teaching canoeing and kayaking. He also told us that his two sons were highly involved in kayak racing – much lighter boats than those we are used to seeing on the Zambezi. They had just completed the annual Devizes to Westminster international canoe race – 125 miles supported by mum and dad,

Ross told listeners that he’s been married for five years and has a two year old daughter. He would love to make a return visit to Zambia with his young family. He is a firm supporter of Swindon Town – devastated to hear that they had lost their play off final at Wembley that very afternoon. Cynthia supports Man U and is single. “Jay’s single” said Milli Jam. “Too young, too young!” Replied the lady!

Asked where they would like to be and what they would like to be doing ten years from now, Doug said he would like to be doing more work at schools in Livingstone as well as completing a longed for trip to Canada. Ross wasn’t sure but still wanted to be teaching. Cynthia, thanking the British Council for their care for her, still had ambitions to complete her Masters and PhD.

Great guests, great show!

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