Allinder August 2025

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).

One of the blessings of being at the same Rafiki School for some years is getting to see individual students grow and mature. The students now in grade four were in early childhood when I came to Zambia a few years ago. I have seen them grow as a class and as individuals. In this newsletter, I have asked one of the grade four students to tell about being at the Rafiki School. For the purpose of this letter, I will call him Micah (not his real name).

Rafiki School grade level four class

Micah lives almost two miles from the Rafiki School with his family near a large government school. He told me he likes Rafiki School because it teaches students about good things and about things in the Bible. He shared, “I have improved very much in writing and in my knowledge because a long time ago when I was in another school, my grandmother and grandfather used to tell me that I never used to pass. But when I have come to Rafiki School, I pass. I have been on the Dean’s List and have gotten a Perfect Report Card certificate. I only never passed once when I was in grade one. I wasn’t reading very confidently and my mother used to tell me to read confidently. Now I read very confidently and fluently.” Micah went on to say that Rafiki School has taught him to be brave and courageous enough to speak in front of a lot of people.

Rehearsing for recitation—much bravery and courage to speak in front of the entire school and most parents!

Grade four is currently reading, “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” by C. S. Lewis. Micah summarized the book nicely and pointed out how one of the children betrayed the others to get more Turkish Delight. Micah explained, “Our class had the Turkish Delight as well and we knew the reason that Edmond betrayed his brother and sisters because it was so sweet. But I would not betray anyone for Turkish Delight.”

School is not just about academics. A big part is spending time with friends. Micah says he has four friends at school with whom he enjoys football (soccer) at recess. Micah explained, “[One of the friends] knows a lot of football skills that I don’t know so I learn from him. At this time, [the friend] no longer teases me because my skills are not as good as his—I have improved.”

After school, Micah helps at home by fetching water and then playing with his two brothers and friends in the community. About his friends in the community, Micah says, “Most of my friends who to go to [the government school] don’t know how to read. I try to make them know how to read and read to them some words.” On Sundays, Micah sees some of his classmates at church. During Sunday School, he is sometimes called upon to read the Bible and to explain what he has read.

Like all the students in our school, Micah is able to enjoy this unique education because school fees are subsidized by donors. Families pay approximately twenty percent of the cost of their children’s education at this Classical and Christian School, and this amount is a lot for them. Would you consider sponsoring an individual child, like Micah? Or donating to the Education Fund? Your gifts help Micah and his friends continue to grow in wisdom, knowledge, and grace. You can find out more about sponsoring Rafiki students at www.RafikiFoundation.org.

Thank you very much.

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