I’m happy to report that I did not die from either the mystery disease or the malaria drugs I took, but I can’t say that I would like to repeat either experience. I have, however, discovered the new Zambian weight loss program, which is pretty much: feel like death, don’t eat for 3 days.
Happily, by Thursday I was sufficiently recovered to walk the 2 kilometers into town with the team for our meeting with the Facilitators. Tessa actually headed in early for a continued discussion on Counseling. I wasn’t there to see it, but I heard positive reports, and I think a lot of the Facilitators are interested in becoming more proficient at helping their students work through some challenging issues.
The Facilitators’ meeting focused on how to implement the business development workshop for the students next year – it was universally agreed that we ought to focus on a few pilot schools, rather than invite a limited number of students from each school to a larger workshop. Although it will take longer (several years, perhaps) to reach all the schools, we want to make sure we offer the students enough attention and depth that they really grasp the tools we are teaching them, and can successfully apply them. We are hoping that over the course of next year’s workshop, the students will be able to generate business plans and proposals, which will allow them to start a business run by their club. Students regularly request funds for t-shirts, sports equipment, inter-club events, and even school fees for their club members, and we would like to empower them to earn their own money to support their clubs. These will also be solid foundational tools that they can take with them as they go on to college or out into the “working world” where they will most likely need to create their own jobs, since the employment rate in Zambia is so low.
Friday was reserved as a planning day for the Annual General Meeting (AGM), which of course meant that it was immediately filled with a thousand endabas. It is entirely futile to allocate “planning time” in our schedule. Zambian Time is a finicky thing. After a full day meeting at the church planting school, the locals are perfectly happy to sit around singing or playing some Zambian version of hacky sack for 2 hours, while the rain prevents you from going home. But as soon as the rain lightens and you show signs of packing up, 6 people suddenly need to talk to you now now. (Which is sooner than now.) Asking them why they couldn’t have talked to you over the past 2 hours will only result in their sudden incapacity to understand English. Similarly, if their inscrutable Zambian Time sense tells them that you will be at home all day (regardless of your intent to be planning so that the AGM doesn’t last 12 hours) they will all discover that they need to meet with you, and will proceed to come by the house, utterly preventing you from accomplishing anything.
And so it was that on Friday we spent a significant amount of time with Simon, learning wonderful things about how traditional Zambian spouses respect each other. Women respect their husbands by welcoming them home on their knees, serving them food on their knees, bringing them water in bed on their knees. Men respect their wives (I had to ask) by 1. not shouting at them, 2. not chastising them publicly in front of guests, but rather waiting until they are alone. R-E-S-P-E-C-T. I don’t think Simon understands what it means when I stare at him incredulously. I also find it hilarious when Bishop Muleya tells us that we should find some nice Zambian men to marry. I don’t think my knees could take it. Not being shouted at publicly though, now that would be a perk.
On Saturday, we sent Sarah off to the airport with a fond farewell to one of our finest chefs. These Paynes are certainly worth having around for their creative culinary skills. Sarah was also instrumental in making sure that I got lots of sleep and ate the occasional piece of bread while I was “down” as they say, so she has my thanks.
Saturday afternoon was consumed by the AGM with the Executive Committee (EC), which is comprised of several hard-working and committed Zambians. The EC has been one of the greatest STS accomplishments for 2010. They have really taken ownership of the Zambian side of the organization, keeping the Facilitators motivated and on track, dealing with distributing the funds, helping us organize this trip’s workshop, and preparing to take over a significant chunk of Johnny’s monitoring & evaluation role in 2011.
I’ll leave the tales of Sunday to another lucky blogger, but I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Tannen - Dec 14-15th
Yesterday and today was our Business Development Workshop, which we are leading for the first time. Attendees included all of our “STS Facilitators” who are the leaders in each of the clubs, a couple of “Club Parents” who are the liaison between the club and the school, and a small number of promising OVC Advocates. The workshop itself is primarily a path-finder for a 5 day workshop that we hope to host at the schools in 2011. The long term goal is to assist the clubs to become self-sufficient (decrease dependency on foreign support), and simultaneously provide the students in the clubs with practical skills for providing for themselves and their families in the future. We have observed through the years that many of the students who manage to pay for and complete their high school education struggle to find something to transition to when they graduate. College is not an option for most, and the high schools are not focused on providing them with a vocation or essential life skills. A small percentage of high school graduates are able to find jobs, and too many of them become idle. Our hope is that this program can help to span the gap between the reading-writing-arithmetic-type of education to something that can practically assist them with their lives upon graduation. In the same vein, we would like to encourage them to start businesses that result in a product that will provide for core community needs such as food and clothing. I had a conversation about the need to develop basic vocational skills and focus on providing the essentials for survival with one of my brothers before leaving for Zambia, and this conversation helped me to put these concepts at the forefront of my mind.
That’s probably enough philosophy for now, so back to the workshop… we kept the STS leaders and OVC advocates together yesterday morning. We started late due to late arrivals, but once we got going I enjoyed facilitating the morning and early afternoon activities. We covered some introductory materials, expectations, and brainstormed business ideas. These ideas were reduced to ones that had a reasonable capital investment and were determined to have the most benefit to student members and the community, and the greatest chance of success. Small groups formed and discussed which business would be the best fit for them. We started from a list of 50+ ideas, reduced to the top 8, and at the end everyone ended up choosing either farming for ground nuts or chicken rearing but I think that we learned something from the process and I do think those businesses fit the bill.
Megan was sick, but made it in around lunch time. She taught about “making money” – market strategy, minimizing expenditures, and risk management. Our late start & lunch time made it so that she had to compress her materials, but it was a nice overview which is in alignment with our objective for these two days. She impressed me with her ability to power through her sickness and coherently teach these subjects, engage the audience, and provide appropriate and thoughtful responses to their questions.
Today, Megan was even sicker than yesterday (we think as a response to the additional malaria meds that she took yesterday). We were all somewhat dehydrated since we ran out of clean water the night before, but she woke up very thirsty so I scavenged around the house and managed to find a few sips of clean water & some boiled water which Sarah had turned into lemonade the night before. Johnny had to make a run home a little later in the morning, so he brought her home some bread and purified water which was basically the only thing that she wanted.
At the workshop, we started off in the traditional way with some great music. Fena Chibesa, who hosted part of our team when we were in Dar Es Salaam last year, led us in Zambian & Tanzanian worship songs which I really enjoyed. Afterwards we split the OVC Advocates from the STS leaders for the rest of the day. Johnny taught those who had come in support of their OVCs. I didn't have the opportunity to hear what he was saying, but I know that he has a solid understanding of the needs of his group and a nice teaching style. He had made colorful poster boards with good content which he duct taped to the wall to reference in support of his message, and the couple of times that I passed by it seemed like his group was engaged and I got a verbal confirmation that “it went good” at the end of the day.
Megan didn’t end up making it out of the house, so I had the facilitators to myself for the day. One of our long-time STS-Zambia members, Terry, taught a session in the morning on business planning. I’m really glad that he used his education and experience in business to help us teach and I think that it added a lot. I have nothing but good things to say about his preparation, content, and presentation and it flowed well with the rest of the day. I mostly focused on the management of people and finances, the content of which had been prepared with the help of a state-side colleague. The emphasis was on starting a small business with their club, but we also discussed applicability to their clubs in general. Despite just getting over being sick and generally being somewhat fatigued, I found the day to be very enjoyable, interactive, and productive. I left with the feeling that we had accomplished something and the verbal and written comments from the facilitators and club parents confirmed this for me.
Back at the house, Sarah already had dinner going and we enjoyed our bucket baths since the day had been somewhat hot. Megan is still sick but has been sleeping and resting a lot and appears to be on the road to recovery. So don’t worry Megan’s Mom and Dad but please do continue to keep her in your prayers!
Chisuma mukwai,
Tannen VZ
That’s probably enough philosophy for now, so back to the workshop… we kept the STS leaders and OVC advocates together yesterday morning. We started late due to late arrivals, but once we got going I enjoyed facilitating the morning and early afternoon activities. We covered some introductory materials, expectations, and brainstormed business ideas. These ideas were reduced to ones that had a reasonable capital investment and were determined to have the most benefit to student members and the community, and the greatest chance of success. Small groups formed and discussed which business would be the best fit for them. We started from a list of 50+ ideas, reduced to the top 8, and at the end everyone ended up choosing either farming for ground nuts or chicken rearing but I think that we learned something from the process and I do think those businesses fit the bill.
Megan was sick, but made it in around lunch time. She taught about “making money” – market strategy, minimizing expenditures, and risk management. Our late start & lunch time made it so that she had to compress her materials, but it was a nice overview which is in alignment with our objective for these two days. She impressed me with her ability to power through her sickness and coherently teach these subjects, engage the audience, and provide appropriate and thoughtful responses to their questions.
Today, Megan was even sicker than yesterday (we think as a response to the additional malaria meds that she took yesterday). We were all somewhat dehydrated since we ran out of clean water the night before, but she woke up very thirsty so I scavenged around the house and managed to find a few sips of clean water & some boiled water which Sarah had turned into lemonade the night before. Johnny had to make a run home a little later in the morning, so he brought her home some bread and purified water which was basically the only thing that she wanted.
At the workshop, we started off in the traditional way with some great music. Fena Chibesa, who hosted part of our team when we were in Dar Es Salaam last year, led us in Zambian & Tanzanian worship songs which I really enjoyed. Afterwards we split the OVC Advocates from the STS leaders for the rest of the day. Johnny taught those who had come in support of their OVCs. I didn't have the opportunity to hear what he was saying, but I know that he has a solid understanding of the needs of his group and a nice teaching style. He had made colorful poster boards with good content which he duct taped to the wall to reference in support of his message, and the couple of times that I passed by it seemed like his group was engaged and I got a verbal confirmation that “it went good” at the end of the day.
Megan didn’t end up making it out of the house, so I had the facilitators to myself for the day. One of our long-time STS-Zambia members, Terry, taught a session in the morning on business planning. I’m really glad that he used his education and experience in business to help us teach and I think that it added a lot. I have nothing but good things to say about his preparation, content, and presentation and it flowed well with the rest of the day. I mostly focused on the management of people and finances, the content of which had been prepared with the help of a state-side colleague. The emphasis was on starting a small business with their club, but we also discussed applicability to their clubs in general. Despite just getting over being sick and generally being somewhat fatigued, I found the day to be very enjoyable, interactive, and productive. I left with the feeling that we had accomplished something and the verbal and written comments from the facilitators and club parents confirmed this for me.
Back at the house, Sarah already had dinner going and we enjoyed our bucket baths since the day had been somewhat hot. Megan is still sick but has been sleeping and resting a lot and appears to be on the road to recovery. So don’t worry Megan’s Mom and Dad but please do continue to keep her in your prayers!
Chisuma mukwai,
Tannen VZ
Monday, December 13, 2010
Tessa - December 13th
This afternoon Tannen, Megan, Sarah and I headed to Murundu. The driver was a risk taker; even the Zambians were fussing at the driver. One Zambian man thanked God for surviving when we made it to Murundu. Many children ran to meet us down the road from Enfys school to escort us. While Tannen and Megan met with Hilda and Joseph about financial issues I taught a bulk of the children "The Itsy Bitsy Spider," "Here’s the church here is the steeple, open it up to see all the people" and the hand trick where you have middle fingers wiggling on either side of your palms. The last interactive activity proved to be a bit more difficult than the other 2. Next, I lined up the kids outside so we could pass out yo-yo balloons. It went well at first because we selected 1 child at a time to go inside, get a balloon from Sarah and sit down. However, when the room filled up and there were still children coming from the village we needed to move them out for space. Tranquility ended and chaos began. The children began trying to get the air out of the balloons, the children in line outside started pushing and fighting, it became very loud and they ignored directions. I wished very badly in that moment to know more Bemba. Help was asked of Joseph so we could gain some order. The children who already had balloons would not get away from the school door and some tried to get another balloon. Even after Joseph told them to go under the shelter, they returned. As I watched the kids, I became saddened at the meanness and fight for survival that arose. In a childlike way it became a bit barbaric. Some balloons destroyed within minutes. I wanted to communicate love, boundaries and service but I found it very difficult with the amount of children and language barrier.
It was a mutual decision eventually to shut the door after all the balloons were handed out. Sarah went to play soccer with some older boys from the Earn It Program. A few kids stayed around and I went outside to read them a children’s “Dear God” book. I also had my small dry erase board to help teach them new English words. I started with about 8 kids sitting with me which grew to approximately 30. It was fun and they were a captive audience... smothering in fact. :) Rebecca (one of the school teachers) arrived halfway through the story and helped interpret which was helpful for the kids I’m sure.
The dichotomy of the 2 experiences was difficult, yet a rewarding experience. I feel it was a good reminder of the Lord’s love for us despite our selfishness and flesh outbursts. Often times when God gives us what we want we lose sight of what is most important and develop an attitude of deserving what is given and destruction can occur. However, when we openly accept what we need from the Father there is often more peace and good ultimately is the result.
It was a mutual decision eventually to shut the door after all the balloons were handed out. Sarah went to play soccer with some older boys from the Earn It Program. A few kids stayed around and I went outside to read them a children’s “Dear God” book. I also had my small dry erase board to help teach them new English words. I started with about 8 kids sitting with me which grew to approximately 30. It was fun and they were a captive audience... smothering in fact. :) Rebecca (one of the school teachers) arrived halfway through the story and helped interpret which was helpful for the kids I’m sure.
The dichotomy of the 2 experiences was difficult, yet a rewarding experience. I feel it was a good reminder of the Lord’s love for us despite our selfishness and flesh outbursts. Often times when God gives us what we want we lose sight of what is most important and develop an attitude of deserving what is given and destruction can occur. However, when we openly accept what we need from the Father there is often more peace and good ultimately is the result.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Blog for Sunday, December 12th
Muli Shani ? (How are you?)
This is Sarah blogging… my first STS blog! I am Johnny’s older sister and I am visiting Johnny in Africa and getting to help with some STS missions as well. On Sunday we traveled to Showers of Blessings Church in Kitwe to worship with their congregation and listen to Dr. Thinus preach. It was my first time in an African church! In typical African style, there was music playing and people came in slowly over the next hour. The choir sang tirelessly for us and was composed of 3 men and 4 women with beautiful voices. They sang from their souls with deep conviction. We swayed along with the music and tried to pick out a few words and sounds to hum along. We were asked to sit in the first pew as guests of honor. Dr. Thinus then preached about the responsibility of believers to encourage each other daily to keep believing in the face of hardship and to reach out to members who have stopped coming to church, from Hebrews 3. Dr. Thinus preached in English but had an interpreter who was as expressive and as sincere as he was. I enjoyed hearing the Bemba language but having to pause after every phrase sometimes interrupted the flow of the message.
After Church we went to lunch at the pastor’s house. The pastor also works at the bank and has a very nicely furnished middle class home. We enjoyed a delicious meal of rice, potatoes, beef stew, cabbage, chicken, Nshima, and gravy.
We visited the souvenir market in Kitwe, which houses about 20 stalls under one roof selling all manner of wooden animals, copper bracelets, printed cloths, native paintings, musical instruments, carvings, jade jewelry, and chess sets. We each picked out gifts for loved ones back home to share the magic of Zambia with them. The price for each item was negotiable and we were forced to learn how to haggle to get a fair price. Tessa went from very nervous about the whole process and not wanting to do it by herself to having the vendors eat out of her hand while she walked away with half their goods for a very good deal!
Sunday evening was bittersweet as we said out goodbyes to Etricia, Andre and Dr. Thinus who were leaving at 3:00am to set off for South Africa.
This is Sarah blogging… my first STS blog! I am Johnny’s older sister and I am visiting Johnny in Africa and getting to help with some STS missions as well. On Sunday we traveled to Showers of Blessings Church in Kitwe to worship with their congregation and listen to Dr. Thinus preach. It was my first time in an African church! In typical African style, there was music playing and people came in slowly over the next hour. The choir sang tirelessly for us and was composed of 3 men and 4 women with beautiful voices. They sang from their souls with deep conviction. We swayed along with the music and tried to pick out a few words and sounds to hum along. We were asked to sit in the first pew as guests of honor. Dr. Thinus then preached about the responsibility of believers to encourage each other daily to keep believing in the face of hardship and to reach out to members who have stopped coming to church, from Hebrews 3. Dr. Thinus preached in English but had an interpreter who was as expressive and as sincere as he was. I enjoyed hearing the Bemba language but having to pause after every phrase sometimes interrupted the flow of the message.
After Church we went to lunch at the pastor’s house. The pastor also works at the bank and has a very nicely furnished middle class home. We enjoyed a delicious meal of rice, potatoes, beef stew, cabbage, chicken, Nshima, and gravy.
We visited the souvenir market in Kitwe, which houses about 20 stalls under one roof selling all manner of wooden animals, copper bracelets, printed cloths, native paintings, musical instruments, carvings, jade jewelry, and chess sets. We each picked out gifts for loved ones back home to share the magic of Zambia with them. The price for each item was negotiable and we were forced to learn how to haggle to get a fair price. Tessa went from very nervous about the whole process and not wanting to do it by herself to having the vendors eat out of her hand while she walked away with half their goods for a very good deal!
Sunday evening was bittersweet as we said out goodbyes to Etricia, Andre and Dr. Thinus who were leaving at 3:00am to set off for South Africa.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Update from Johnny
Today was a special day, an important day, and one that will stand out as one of my proudest moments of my life in Zambia in 2010. I was very proud of the Zambians who worked to make this activity happen and I was also very proud of what it represented. The activity I’m referring to was the field day for the Mufulira and Ndola adolescent HIV support groups. Despite only knowing and working with these groups for the last 3 months, my passion for HIV support groups has its roots in my work at UCLA’s Center for Community Health in 2006. I also have fond memories of my time volunteering with the Botswana Baylor Teen Club in 2009, also a support group for adolescents living with HIV. Of the many programs, organizations, and issues I have engaged with over the past 5 years, working directly with persons living with HIV has been the most fulfilling.
These groups existed before I came to Zambia, though they might never have met if I had not taken the initiative to bring them together. Bringing people together is in fact one of the most powerful tools we have in fighting the HIV epidemic. This ministry has always found its strength in the community of believers. Africans living with HIV often have an unmet need for community because others discriminate against them because of their HIV status, though some also internalize this attitude and count themselves unworthy of the intimacy that comes from disclosing their HIV status to others they love and trust. It was my vision and my hope that as these groups came together during this field day, the sports, small group discussions, entertainment, and meal would not just be remembered as an enjoyable weekend, but the beginning of the realization that there are many people just like us, feeling the same fears, wishing for the same futures, needing the same acceptance as part of a family. I really will miss these guys and gals a lot but it gives me a lot of happiness to know they have met and will be able to grow closer to each other even in the time that I must be away from them. I am reminded of the Passport messages by Louie Giglio in which he asserts that our enjoyment of Heaven will not only be found in the presence of God, but the reunion with fellow believers whom we knew, loved, and poured our lives into. If that is true, and I think it is, then I know that I have much to look forward to even if my days in Zambia in this life are shorter than I expect.
These groups existed before I came to Zambia, though they might never have met if I had not taken the initiative to bring them together. Bringing people together is in fact one of the most powerful tools we have in fighting the HIV epidemic. This ministry has always found its strength in the community of believers. Africans living with HIV often have an unmet need for community because others discriminate against them because of their HIV status, though some also internalize this attitude and count themselves unworthy of the intimacy that comes from disclosing their HIV status to others they love and trust. It was my vision and my hope that as these groups came together during this field day, the sports, small group discussions, entertainment, and meal would not just be remembered as an enjoyable weekend, but the beginning of the realization that there are many people just like us, feeling the same fears, wishing for the same futures, needing the same acceptance as part of a family. I really will miss these guys and gals a lot but it gives me a lot of happiness to know they have met and will be able to grow closer to each other even in the time that I must be away from them. I am reminded of the Passport messages by Louie Giglio in which he asserts that our enjoyment of Heaven will not only be found in the presence of God, but the reunion with fellow believers whom we knew, loved, and poured our lives into. If that is true, and I think it is, then I know that I have much to look forward to even if my days in Zambia in this life are shorter than I expect.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Update from Tessa
The Enfys women’s workshop was to start at 9:30 a.m., you can already guess we didn't start at that time but of course, God knows it was better. At 10:00 we gathered and sang while we waited on others to show up. We were in the main school (Grace’s Place) room which is ½ the size of a college dorm room. Their voices roared against the concrete walls as they praised God in Bemba. I became overwhelmed with God’s presence and again humbled that it is me who will be standing and sitting before these women to teach them. I who have no children, I who have never been married, I who have never been physically or sexually abused, I who live in comfortable conditions and I who have many more rights culturally as a woman. At the time I couldn't distinguish what was happening with my feelings. I just knew I couldn't hold back my tears. I think the above is what it was about. In reflection I believe I was also thinking about the women at the prison (where I work in the states) as well and the number of women/children the Lord has entrusted to me over years. When I began speaking, I began crying. I prayed for them and Beauty, an interpreter, was quiet I realized after she wept with me.
I noticed that the women were very focused on their children and how to better their futures. It was important for them to communicate their desire for support concerning business opportunities, basic and spiritual needs being met. They seemed burdened by the idea of not being able to care adequately for their children. They communicated feelings of failure and being distracted from their relationship with God because of their everyday problems. Enfys women were also open about their involvement with God and His love. They expressed His love for them and that everything is done by His grace. It seemed their answer for hard times and weakness in faith is to kneel, pray, repent, seek God’s face and ask for power. Tannen and Megan’s time seemed to be fruitful not only for information but punctuating they are not alone. The second half of the workshop was more teaching and less discussion. Fana (missionary from Tanzania who is originally from Mufulira) talked with them about caring for their infants. Although I couldn’t understand everything she said, what I did catch seemed very valuable. It was evident God used the workshop today by connecting with their basic needs, emotional information and spiritual edification.
Next, I helped Tannen and Megan interview teens who are in the Earn It Program. This program provided an opportunity for older teenagers to work jobs to earn money for their education: high school and college. Fana helped me with translation and Tannen and Megan fend for themselves with the students. Although I only interview 3 teens, it was cool to see how this program is affecting their lives through education, occupational skills and interaction with Martinz (Manager of Earn It Program). Tannen shared on the taxi ride home from Murundu her excitement with what she saw in the kids and the progress the program seems to be encouraging.
Tonight with 4 of us crammed in the back of a taxi (Tannen, Megan, Fana, and myself... the taxi being a compact car) in the rain and dark, riding through massive pot holes on a mud road and Fana playing Tanzania music from her cell phone is just difficult to describe, but everyone should try it. :)
I noticed that the women were very focused on their children and how to better their futures. It was important for them to communicate their desire for support concerning business opportunities, basic and spiritual needs being met. They seemed burdened by the idea of not being able to care adequately for their children. They communicated feelings of failure and being distracted from their relationship with God because of their everyday problems. Enfys women were also open about their involvement with God and His love. They expressed His love for them and that everything is done by His grace. It seemed their answer for hard times and weakness in faith is to kneel, pray, repent, seek God’s face and ask for power. Tannen and Megan’s time seemed to be fruitful not only for information but punctuating they are not alone. The second half of the workshop was more teaching and less discussion. Fana (missionary from Tanzania who is originally from Mufulira) talked with them about caring for their infants. Although I couldn’t understand everything she said, what I did catch seemed very valuable. It was evident God used the workshop today by connecting with their basic needs, emotional information and spiritual edification.
Next, I helped Tannen and Megan interview teens who are in the Earn It Program. This program provided an opportunity for older teenagers to work jobs to earn money for their education: high school and college. Fana helped me with translation and Tannen and Megan fend for themselves with the students. Although I only interview 3 teens, it was cool to see how this program is affecting their lives through education, occupational skills and interaction with Martinz (Manager of Earn It Program). Tannen shared on the taxi ride home from Murundu her excitement with what she saw in the kids and the progress the program seems to be encouraging.
Tonight with 4 of us crammed in the back of a taxi (Tannen, Megan, Fana, and myself... the taxi being a compact car) in the rain and dark, riding through massive pot holes on a mud road and Fana playing Tanzania music from her cell phone is just difficult to describe, but everyone should try it. :)
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Welcome to Mufulira (written by Megan)
Welcome to Mufulira. It’s the rainy season, FYI, in case the periodic, deafening pounding on the tin roofs didn't give it away. Oh, and the enormous flying ants, landing in your food, hair, and/or mouth, would also like to express their pleasure at your arrival.
We are all gathered at 158 Jomo Kenyatta (take a look on Google Earth):
· Tannen, fearless leader, slightly jetlagged
· Megan, sidekick, coffee addict
· Johnny, faux blond, ending his tenure of a year’s stay in Zambia
· Sarah, biologist, recent PhD, but we won’t hold that against her
· Tessa, counselor, cuts her teeth on this teaching thing tomorrow
· Dr T, Tricia, and Andre, the South African contingent
You know you’re projecting the right image when on your taxi ride from the airport, a boy on the side of the road, seeing your car full of muzungus (pasty people, such as ourselves), shouts with great enthusiasm, “MONEY!”
Today was spent in Murundu, visiting Hilda and Martins at the Enfys orphanage school, currently occupying the clinic building that has yet to become a clinic. We got a tour of the toilets & showers in progress, septic tank is installed but no water yet. I’m waiting for the day they get that up and running, because as we were leaving, several kids sprinted outside, hiked up their skirts and publicly relieved themselves next to the clinic. I think some commentary on that will need to get incorporated in tomorrow’s hygiene program…
Several of the boys from the Earn It program were working on rebuilding the feeding shelter, where the orphans are fed every day. Earn It is designed to employ local youths to help with the farming, infrastructure maintenance, milling, etc, and in return pay for them to go to school. So far, 14 youths are employed for a few hours each week and are back in school.
After a long walk through the very red mud, we had a late lunch of traditional nshima with relish and chicken, and were collected by Dr T. We went with him and Bishop Muleya, from the church planting school, to observe a home cell church that was established by one of their students, who will be graduating on Saturday. It was in a very rural village, which appeared to be comprised of mostly children, with a healthy population of chickens, goats, and stray dogs. It’s also mango season, so the mango trees are all heavily laden, and many of the kids were clutching the juicy fruit and biting right through the skin.
More to come…
Megan
We are all gathered at 158 Jomo Kenyatta (take a look on Google Earth):
· Tannen, fearless leader, slightly jetlagged
· Megan, sidekick, coffee addict
· Johnny, faux blond, ending his tenure of a year’s stay in Zambia
· Sarah, biologist, recent PhD, but we won’t hold that against her
· Tessa, counselor, cuts her teeth on this teaching thing tomorrow
· Dr T, Tricia, and Andre, the South African contingent
You know you’re projecting the right image when on your taxi ride from the airport, a boy on the side of the road, seeing your car full of muzungus (pasty people, such as ourselves), shouts with great enthusiasm, “MONEY!”
Today was spent in Murundu, visiting Hilda and Martins at the Enfys orphanage school, currently occupying the clinic building that has yet to become a clinic. We got a tour of the toilets & showers in progress, septic tank is installed but no water yet. I’m waiting for the day they get that up and running, because as we were leaving, several kids sprinted outside, hiked up their skirts and publicly relieved themselves next to the clinic. I think some commentary on that will need to get incorporated in tomorrow’s hygiene program…
Several of the boys from the Earn It program were working on rebuilding the feeding shelter, where the orphans are fed every day. Earn It is designed to employ local youths to help with the farming, infrastructure maintenance, milling, etc, and in return pay for them to go to school. So far, 14 youths are employed for a few hours each week and are back in school.
After a long walk through the very red mud, we had a late lunch of traditional nshima with relish and chicken, and were collected by Dr T. We went with him and Bishop Muleya, from the church planting school, to observe a home cell church that was established by one of their students, who will be graduating on Saturday. It was in a very rural village, which appeared to be comprised of mostly children, with a healthy population of chickens, goats, and stray dogs. It’s also mango season, so the mango trees are all heavily laden, and many of the kids were clutching the juicy fruit and biting right through the skin.
More to come…
Megan
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)