UK Erogans had a lovely time with Sr Kieran on Saturday with about 10 of us present including children and even a grandchild! It was great to see Sr Kieran looking so well and her usual engaging self. My camera did not take good photos - but I'm hoping the others present (Inutu Shampande, Yvonne etc) can share the photos they took on their cameras.

We briefly discussed projects to support for 2012-13 with Yvonne taking notes so hopefully we can follow this up into action. We have written out a cheque for the amount £600 drawn from the UK account to hand over to Sr Kieran. This account has been funded by the small monthly contributions of £5 from now four EROGA UK members who have kept up with contributions since the account was opened a few years ago. A big thanks to these ladies - I'm sure the £600 will go far in helping one of the Roma Girls projects.

We commented on how it was lovely to have "girls" from such a wide range of years (class 1979 - class 1990 something?) all mingling and talking about similar Roma Girls experiences. I think I underestimated the power of what Roma Girls has managed to nurture and nourish in those bonds that seem to defy the passing of time. How many schools - dare I say it globally even - have such a strong network of former students still actively communicating with each other? Wow - that is truly marvellous. And not only that - we have passed on the story and spirit of Roma Girls to our children too.   We commented on how our children know about EROGA and Roma Girls and for those here like to attend the events we host. Long may it last!

Thanks to Leontina for organising the venue. I was pleased that Leontina did not remember the incident that landed me and late Tangu Nkunika in trouble with the form 5's when we were inquisitive form1's wondering what the form 5 block 9(?) showers looked like. I'll say no more about that!

Euphrasia Mbewe

L-R (Kabui Mpolokoso, Frank Mbewe, Tony Mpolokoso, Euphrasia Mbewe)

During my recent visit to Zambia I was thrilled to meet up again with Euphrasia Mbewe who was a few years behind me at Roma Girls School in the mid 1980's. Euphrasia was one of the first few deaf girls who joined Roma, along with Kapansa Kamukwamba who was in my year. It was not easy for the deaf students to fully participate in their lessons at school in the absence of dedicated learning assistants, note takers or translators to assist them in class. Despite all this it was clear that Euphrasia was an intellingent young lady who has since gone on to build a successful career for herself, currently serving on the Board of Directors for the Global Partnership for Disability and Development (GPDD). Euphrasia's story is inspirational not just to people with disabilities, but to all young girls and women facing discrimination at school or in the work place. Euphrasia is married to Frank who is also hard of hearing and the couple have four(?) children. Frank who has a hearing aid translates for Euphrasia using sign language and to see the couple communicating with each other is truly wonderful!

As we sat in the garden recalling our days at Roma, Euphrasia mentioned how lucky she was to have been at Roma and was full of praise for what the school had done for her. She mentioned the kindness of the girls who looked after the girls with disabilities - her best and still good friend (whose name I forget...sorry) who took notes for her in every lesson, Laura Miti - who cheerfully huffed and puffed as she pushed Grace Bwembya in her wheelchair up that steep climb from the dormitories to the classroom blocks! I had forgotten all these events but as Euphrasia narrated the stories, I realised what a wonderful place Roma Girls was and still is I hope. We were drawn from different backgrounds - but that did not matter at Roma.

The joys and challenges of motherhood!

We celebrated Mother's Day with so much ado in the western world yesterday May 8, 2011. In my view, motherhood is not confined to those women who have brought into this world biological children. Motherhood extends to all women who at one time or another have looked after children whom they relate to as blood relations or because they have adopted them or, indeed, because they have felt the compassion to do so. With this in mind, I wish to share views on the joys and challenges of raising children. Please remember that by sharing our experiences we will be helping each other and that those amongst us who are struggling in this area do not have to re-invent the wheel!

Mizinga - Elected as Bankers Association of Zambia Chairperson

Eroga is proud to report that former Roma Girls Secondary School high flyer - Mizinga Melu(class 85) has recently been elected as chairperson of the Bankers Association of Zambia. Click here to read more...

Women in Leadership Network (WiL) Newsletter

Please check out the Women in Leadership Network (WiL) May 2010 newsletter featuring several Erogans including Mwangala Lethbridge & Mizinga Melu.

Dambisa Moyo at the International Finance Corporation (IFC) - April 20, 2009

As fellow ex-Roma girls and Zambians, we were very proud of Dambisa!
Front Row: Abigail Tamakloe, colleague at IFC from Ghana; Dambisa Moyo ('85);Dolika Banda IFC; Vicky Mwanza née Kafwariman ('81), World Bank and EX-Roma; Debbie Chungu, IMF; Mubanga Bwalya Mutemba, MBA
Back Row: Hope Chileshe née Nachisambwe ('73) , IFC and EX-Roma; Mary Benaya Mbanefo, IFC; Linda Liwewe, World Bank; Susan Mwananshiku Tembo, IMF

Congratulations Mwangala-published author

Congratulations to Mwangala Bonna née Sii from the class of 1987 on the recent publication of her book "The Feller of Trees". Please support her by buying a copy of the book, it is available online from the publisher http://www.trafford.com/07-2143 or from Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Feller-Trees-Mwangala-Bonna/dp/1425149545/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1236948870&sr=8-1