Rotary Avoidable Blindness Project

Solar shields for Secondary students in Zambia

June 21, 2001

The Total Solar Eclipse in Southern Africa June 21, 2001

Rotarian Bo Hesselmark and Foundation Alumna Helena Hesselmark traveled to Zambia to dispense solar protective shields to 30 000 secondary school students.

This was a WCS project between RC of Klippan district 2400, Sweden and RC of Lusaka Central district 9210, Zambia.

The area near Landless Corner some 60 km north of Lusaka.

Picture to the right is taken during The Total Eclipse on the Centre line.

We had a GPS to certify our position.

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The Rotary Clubs of Lusaka, Kamolo and Livingstone all helped in this project to bring out information and solar protective shields to the schools.

From a large company in California, Rainbow Symphony, we got 1000 glasses and hospitals in Sweden donated 35 kg of exposed and developed, unused X-ray plates. Solar protection shields were made out of the X-ray plates, as can be seen on the pictures.

Our host from Livingstone came with his family all the way to Lusaka to see the Solar Eclipse. They drove more than 500 km to be with us for this magnificent spectacle.

Nature makes wonders and we can only stand in awe to contemplate.

Around 15 Secondary schools in Lusaka, Kalomo and Livingstone were visited by us and Rotarians from the local clubs.We informed about the Solar Eclipse, the physics about it and the danger it could cause to eyes. Instructions were given as to use the shields. In some schools 1500 students were gathered at one time to listen and to learn. The old teachers in us came to good use.

No audiovisual aids were available. Hands had to signify the Sun and the Moon. Eager listeners. Eager to learn and promising to share their newfound knowledge with families and friends.

In down town Lusaka shields were given out to those who could not afford to buy in the shops were glasses where sold for high prices if at all available.

On June 21st, 2001 the Total Solar Eclipse was seen over a large part of southern Africa.

Lusaka was the only major city within the totality zone.

We traveled with Rotary friends to a place 60 km north of Lusaka. The coordinates we got from the NASA Eclipse site. Around 15.00 or 3 p.m. the sky started to darken and the whole spectacular scenery was played for us.

Two young men from the nearby village came to stay with us for the Eclipse and were given solar shades to bring back to their families in good time for the performance. Having delivered the shades in the village they came back to our little group - in the middle of nowhere.

After the Eclipse we visited a "Radio school" in the slum of Lusaka. While the mothers were busy selling at their stalls in the market the children of all ages attended Radio school.

The teacher/supervisor -- any "literate adult person" leads lessons after instructions by radio. The children could not go to school because there is no money for uniforms. They learn basic English, reading and writing and hygiene. We were very impressed by the performance of both the teacher and the students.

We wish to express our sincere gratitude to the Rotary Clubs of Lusaka Central, Livingstone and Kamolo for the home hospitality shown us by their members.

Especially we wish to thank Nick Money for the immense efforts he did to make this whole arrangement a success.

This was an Avoidable Blindness Project for the benefit of the people of Zambia.