SMILES were shining brightly in Chainda when Central Highlands organisation Our Rainbow House officially opened the school it helped build for about 45 orphaned children in the small village near Lusaka, Zambia.

Capella local Jenny Ibell was there to share the joyous occasion after a three-month

volunteer stint and said Major Michael Phiri cut the ribbon to open the school before the children performed songs, poems and enjoyed a feast in what was a "wonderful day".

Our Rainbow House director Alison Ray said it was a long time coming and at the official opening, she was told the students sang a song about growing up and being doctors, lawyers and teachers.

"They have really got hope now," Alison said. "They wouldn't have an education without the support from the Central Highlands."

Alison will visit the school in September to look at buying a larger building for the children.

"Our ambition is to build a school and a home for the children with absolutely nobody, and a clinic that we could have a doctor go over to," Alison said.