By Casey Neill
CHIBOBO villagers rejoiced as a gift from the hills finally arrived in the small Zambian town.
Photos of jubilant scenes as villagers unpacked a shipping container have reached Chibobo Container Project organisers in Upwey, two months after their donations touched down.
School and agricultural supplies, clothing, beds, bikes and more were distributed in the African village on 24 August following almost a year of planning and fund-raising.
Project organiser Margaret Collette was inspired to start the donation drive after a visit to Chibobo in 1999.
There are more than 85 orphans living in the 4000-strong village.
Upwey students and teachers made toys, drawings and paintings and businesses donated goods.
Local women knitted 87 blankets and more than 30 toys for the children.
Volunteers filled the container with typewriters, sewing machines and shoes.
Ms Collette said the items would make an “absolutely amazing difference”.
The shipping container began its six-week journey from Upwey to Chibobo on 28 May.
Difficulties transporting the container from Tanzania’s Dar es Salaam port to Chibobo saw it arrive more than a month late.
Upwey High School students were instrumental in collecting the goods and raising cash through donations and auctions.
Year 11 students Tim Whitelaw and Toby McMillan travelled to Chibobo on 20 July to meet the container, but had to return before it arrived.
