Zambia Vision

The miracle is not to fly in the air

or to walk on the water

but to walk on the earth

Chinese Proverb

A few days after returning home from Africa, I awoke with an aching heart. I felt overwhelmed as I thought about the enormous challenges facing the African countries I had visited as a World Vision volunteer. I experienced a profound sense of hopelessness that things could ever improve. What did the future hold for 12 year old Lucky - the young neighbourhood boy with dreams? And I couldn’t get the image of the face of a little girl from Kalomo’s “shanty town”, from my mind.

I had been waiting for a chld sponsorship visit to conclude and had stood outside a small thatch roofed house. A little girl, perhaps four years old, sat on a step. She was barefoot and wearing a red top, pants, and a layer of grime from playing outdoors. A despondent looking woman sat nearby with several other children. I knelt down and smiled at the small girl, who beamed back. Taking her little hands in mine I began to clap them together and chant an old nursery rhyme: “Pat a cake, pat a cake, baker’s man.....” The little girl laughed and laughed, obviously delighted with the rhythmic sound and the attention she was receiving. She did not speak or understand English but we were communicating in an age old fashion - smiles and sounds and gentle touch. The rhyme was repeated over and over with increased animation and more delight expressed.

The little Zambian girl had captured my heart.

After the visit, our group parted ways and I hadn’t thought of this scene since. Why did this little girl’s face stay with me? Was I seeing myself in another place, another era of time? Was I remembering a child’s need for attention, for love and care? My heart was fairly bursting with anguish. Who was caring about this little one to-day and what about the tomorrows? Coupled with these thoughts was remembering the distress I felt crossing the border between Zambia and Botswana and seeing the presence of young women and truckers, and seeing the townships outside Cape Town (Khayelitsha) where over half a million people struggle to survive. I was feeling the crushing reality of witnessing social inequality and injustice and I wept. I recognized that I needed time to both remember and to grieve.

By day’s end I began to ask myself what was going well. I began to compile a list of positive historical and recent developments. What about the work of the African National Congress and Nelson Mandella? How about all the legitimate International Aid Groups who refuse to give up, continuing to work with citizens to educate and eradicate disease, building "a case for compassion" by raising social consciousness and lobbying their governments for increased funding? How about World Vision working to build healthy communities - one area at a time - empowering individuals through micro-enterprise opportunities - promoting food security through agricultural training and putting the needs of children first? How about the dedication of all World Vision field staff I spent time with, role models extraordinaire, for the communities they serve? And how about the indominatable strength and spirit of the people of Zambia and Botswana and Cape Town that I met, and the grace of God?

I understood that it is tough to walk on the earth, knowing that huge challenges exist in helping those most vulnerable. Remembrance and grief can be empowering though. James Orbinski, author of "An Imperfect Offering"  reminds us that “we can’t change everything, but we can do something”. My day of reflective sadness will act as a strong motivator to continue to advocate for the needs of vulnerable children throughout the world. The image of the little girl in red will remain in my heart and mind as I do so.

Botswana Wilderness Camps - Monday May 24 - 27, 2010

What an experience to share with Ron and David! I wish Alyson and Shannon could have joined us also. Spending time with family is a gift I really treasure. We had originally hoped to stay in Zambia and view wildlife at the South Luangwa National Park, but due to many challenges arranging transportation, we were advised at the last minute to travel into Botswana. It turned out to be a fantastic alternative. Our next 4 days passed quickly packed with sightings of wildlife, birds, and unusual vegetation. It was well beyond our expectations.

On May 24, we boarded a 12 seater plane in Kasane, a northern town in Botswana on the Chobe river. Twice we landed on small remote airstrips to let passengers off and pick up new ones, before landing at Pom Pom (an unlikely and delightful name) airstrip. Our view from 3000 feet had been exquisite; miles of a mosaic of greys and greens and browns under a brilliant blue sky; passing through wispy white clouds with the accompaniment of the drone of the aircraft engine. We saw dry and wet watering holes, herds of elephants and buffalo, flloodplains, rivers, swamps and woodlands. Tall palms on islands of vegetation occasionally appeared. We were travelling over the vast Chobe National Park heading to the Okavango Delta. The Okavango Delta is the largest intact inland delta in the world. It is situated deep within the Kalahari Basin. It is home to over 400 species of birds, large mammals, and unique trees and lagoon plants like the papyrus. Botswana's three main industries are mining, tourism and agriculture.  The country is committed to ecotourism and conservation and strongly advocates respectful use of land used by safari companies. We spent our time at two separate camps - Nxabega (means giraffe; - hard to pronounce as it begins with a clucking sound!), and Sandibe. Every morning we were up by 6 AM and readied for our first excursion into the swampy delta. Our young guides - Moffatt and T.N. amd Speedy were a wellhouse of informaton, and obviously loved their work. An elderly tracker, named James, usually sat “shotgun” - in a raised seat at the front of the truck and rarely spoke. With a slight gesture of his right hand, he would direct the driver to an area where we would undoubtably make an unexpected discovery (like a leopard, hidden in the brush with a freshly killed impala!). Our morning outing had us back by noon hour and we headed out again at 4 PM for evening tracking and viewing. We marvelled at the undulating grasslands, immense Baobab trees - trunks scarred by elephants, umbrella acacia trees - the image of Africa - set against clear skies or dusky evenings,, towering lone palms, stark stands of leafless mopane trees, herds of impalas, smaller herds of zebra, tsessebes, waterbucks, warthogs and giraffes. We saw pairs of the endangered red wattled crane, fishing in a marsh, dozens of rust coloured finches, and the beautiful lilac breasted roller, dazzling when it exposed it’s irredescent turquoise wings. So many new images to observe and enjoy! We stayed in cabins in the middle of the Moremi Reserve and I found it a little disconcerting to walk back to our cabin in the dark, a small flashlight our only guardian.  It was downright scary! Our first night, Ron heard a noisy sound outside our cabin, peered out, and through the early morning light saw a hippo, munching on grasses. A hippo! A little later, it moved back to it's watering hole and the trail was free for our walk to breakfast.  Other animals wandered in from the swampy waters to feed on vegetation and at one point 3 elephants occupied the pathway to our cabin and we had to make a huge detour around them. Baboons lived close by as did vervet monkeys, who constantly tried to snatch food from outdoor tables. I looked up one noon hour to see a "hear no evil, speak no evil, see no evil" threesome staring down at me from a tree branch - just waiting for a chance to grab a bun and run.  We were definitely in the wilds of Botswana! On our travels throughout the delta, sandy roadways, with thorny acacia bushes and fan palms slapping at the truck sides often gave way to wet channels; the truck dipping precariously to one side, with water sloshing over floorboards. Our admiration for the guide and tracker increased with every outing. Highlights from our time in the Okavango Delta included long talks with David about everything under the sun, enjoying the company of fellow travellers from many parts of the world, enjoying the Botswana camp staff; lovely, friendly, hard working individuals, tracking a leopard and watching it devour an impala, coming upon a cheetah who had also killed a young female impala and watching transfixed as it methodically stripped each part of the animal down to the bone, and watching lions mate - over and over and over again! My wish for elephant sightings came true when we watched a herd of elephants feeding one evening and sheltering a baby from our view as it nursed. There were also other exciting times.  When one of the vehicles got stuck in a deep wet muddy bog (happened 3 times while we were there), the young guides somehow performed miracles with logs to get it moving forward. I recorded many species of Delta birds, other animals like dwarf mongoose and warthog, and unusual fish like bream.  There were also the Nile crocodiles we passed each evening in 2 lagoons. Spending time with family (well, partial family) on safari was truly a gift from heaven; one I will always appreciate and remember. Prior to leaving Pom Pom airstrip, our guide had to shoo away several giraffe, who seemed to enjoy standing on the runway. It was a lasting image I’ll take away forever.

During my first week as a World Vision volunteer in Kalomo, Zambia, I had the pleasure of visiting the Munkolo Rural Health Centre. It was constructed by World Vision in 2004, and opened in 2007.

I have already written a blog on this amazing community resource, but thought I would add an addendum to that piece.

In conversation with the wonderful nurse Eunice, who runs the centre and is on call 24/7, I asked her if there was anything on her wish list that she really needed. The centre is equipped with basic necessities only. It’s as neat as a pin, and well organized, but there is nothing brand new or shiny looking in the assessment or treatment rooms. Indeed, even if there once was, with up to 800 patients visiting the centre each month, equipment would begin to look well used quickly. Eunice had to think for a minute before stating that what she really needed was a newborn baby weigh scale. High risk pregnancies, which might include babies born to HIV infected women, are handled by Eunice at the centre. It is very important to be able to record the weight of a newborn as part of an accurate assessment, and Eunice is an excellent clinician. If Eunice must call for consultant assistance at the closest hospital in Zimba, the information on the weight of the baby is very important. I began to think.  Now how could I get a baby scale to the Munkolo Health Centre? I wanted to make the arrangements before I left.  I had been given some money from 2 friends - Carol my World Vision friend in Edmonton, who was part of the Rwanda volunteer team in 2009, and Susan, my good friend from Mississauga. Both instructed me to use the money to help someone who really needed assistance. The needs of the Health Centre seemed like an excellent way to have benefits for an entire community. But hospital type baby scales are not easy to find in Zambia. I had several staff at the Kalomo Area Development office searching for days to locate a scale and had almost given up hope. What a delight then, to find out on my second last day that a scale had been located in Lusaka, and that Eustance, one of our wonderful drivers, would drive there the following week, to pick up the scale. The purchase was completed, receipts published and I am thrilled! I can picture Eunice’s professional pride in adding a correct birth weight to her newborn assessment and it makes me so happy. I have asked for a picture of the baby scale presentation and will send it on when available. Carol and Sue, I know how peased you will be knowing how much you have helped. The needs are enormous at every health centre in Zambia, but you have just given an incredibly important gift to an especially appreciative, dedicated nurse servng a large community. It will be the "excellent donation" that keeps on giving! Thank-you so much for your generosity.

Botswana Bound - May 24 - 2010

Note:  Chronologically, I am working back to the time before we arrived in Cape Town

On our way from Zambia to Botswana, we came upon an unusual frontier like border crossing area. We had travelled an hour from Livingstone, to arrive at a crowded gathering spot on the Zambezi River. Dozens of oversized cargo trucks lined each side of the roadway. We’d arrived at a small immigration exit/entrance centre, crammed with people showing passports and official looking papers, to harried immigration staff. A guide assisted us in getting Zambian exit stamps on our passports, and then we travelled a short distance to an official Botswanian immigration office. We dodged the many people and trucks milling about the parking area and waited. Our guide entered the building and was issued a stamped piece of paper, but we were not asked for identification. We waited again for a small passenger motor boat to take us across the river. The road (and Zambia), had basically ended at this Zambezi River tributary. A lone river barge, transported people and one truck at a time to the distant shores of Botswana. No-one double checked our passports as we tossed our bags into a boat and sat down. Another couple who had joined us, laughed nervously at he oddness of this crossing. A young man, started the motor and we sped away. The whole process seemed like something out of a spy novel! What a ruse!; some rumpled white folks entering a new country by way of a speeding boat; and after disembarking, being picked up by a stranger in sunglasses; gunning it down the highway in an open safari truck, hair standing on end, and arriving an hour later at the small Kasane airport where a 12 seater plane waited to take them deep into the Okavango Delta. And then? Actually, our guide did explain that there is somewhat of an honour system that is employed for the tourism industry. He told us that he could be fined if he didn’t declare that he was taking tourists only across the border. A fine, apparently is a deterrent?! It wasn’t just the unusual border entry that caught my interest though. I was anticipating an exciting visit to wilderness camps with family, but the reality of subsaharan Africa’s challenges are always there. While we’d been waiting on the sandy shores, I became aware of the number of truckers and young women hanging around the border sites, both on the Zambia side and Botswana side. The young women may have been sisters or wives, but I think it highly unlikely. I had recently finished reading a fascinating book by Adrian and Bridget Plass - “The Son of God is Dancing” (1995), and felt like I was seeing the huge problem of possible HIV transmission before my very eyes. The Plass couple spent a considerable amount of time in Zambia in 1994, visiting World Vision Area Development Projects and became particularly interested in HIV prevention programs. They related how a “Corridors of Hope” program in northern Zambia was working hard to educate truckers and young girls propelled by poverty into prostitution, on the dangers of unprotected sex. The truckers, because of the distance they travel through so many landlocked countries (Zambia alone has 9 border entry points), are the most common carriers of the HIV/AIDS virus, and are therefore largely responsible for the pandemic. In Chililabomwe, the northern Zambia border town, World Vision has constructed Education, Treatment, Outreach and Counselling offices. They work at the grass roots level and although great strides on so many important levels have been made, it is estimated that close to 20% of Zambians remain HIV positive. Botswana may be worse. In a country of 1.8 million, Botswana has the second highest rate of HIV in Africa (UNAIDS). A huge number of the young women employed as sex workers are orphans and do the work for the basic reason that they are hungry. Lack of sustenance is an enormous motivator to try to earn easy cash, even if it involves risky behaviors. This is a problem of great complexity, but it boils down to having few alternatives for survival. Continuing to support the efforts of humanitarian groups like World Vision, in their quest to improve the lives of those most vulnerable, is more important now then ever. Building healthy communities, which offer opportunities to women for education, training and self-sustainable economic independence, is critical; and, World Vision is a leader in the development of women’s economic initiatives. Also, there are still so many misconseptions about HIV transmission, that education, counselling and treatment access needs to be ramped up, and made available at even more border sites. I saw the problem with my own eyes, in a moment of observation, and a flash of understanding. It is deeply troubling, but I will not give up hope or support. As Adrian Plass has said - we can turn the “Corridors of Death”, into “Corridors of Hope”. Collectively, we can create better outcomes, and better futures for the next generation which includes all the deserving children we have met on this journey.

June 2 - 2010

“I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter: I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one finds there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can only rest for a moment, for with freedom comes with responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not ended”.

Nelson Mandela

Yesterday, I stood in the tiny jail cell of Nelson Mandela - a surreal experience. This is the infamous Robben Island prison cell where Mandela spent 18 years before being freed in 1991. He also spent 9 more years at 2 other separate prisons. Looking around at the barred doorway and iron barred window, I felt a profound and weighty sense of sadness sweep over me at the injustice and loss of the years he spent there, but also a glimmer of euphoria, knowing that because of Mandela and his colleagues collective strengths of character, will, and steely determination for social justice, those cell doors will remain open forever. Ron and I travelled to Robben Island, a 15 minute ferry ride from Cape Town, South Africa with a large group of tourists from many countries in the world. We were all there I think, to pay our respects to a man of greatness and also to witness first hand the oppressive conditions he bore. Until 1991, Robben Island was the dumping ground for South African undesirables. These included lepers, incurables, convicts (rapists, murderers, thieves), and political prisoners. Interestingly, true convicts were housed in minimum security jails, while political prisoners were locked into maximum security enclaves. Imagine how threatened the political elite must have been, by the men esposing equality and an end to apartheid. Conditions in the prison were extremely difficult. Food was insufficient and of poor quality. Many succumbed to illnesses both physiological and psychological. Fights were common. Prisoners spent their days working in a limestone quarry or splitting slate. We visited the quarry, and saw the open cave which acted as a latrine. Yesterday was hot and sunny and the light was blinding - even with sunglasses. We were told that several years ago when Nelson Mandela was having cataract surgery, the surgeon also removed deposits of limestone dust, obviously deposited from the years of labouring in the quarry. A pile of fist sized stones formed a small pyramid to one side of the quarry. We were told that 1200 former political prisoners visited the site in 1996, and commemorated the time they spent in the prison, by picking up a nearby rock and placing them together. We also learned that the time spent incarcerated was also time for fierce political, philosophical and religious debate amongst the best and the brightest of political prisoners. Indeed, much time was spent formulating ideas on a “brave new South Africa”, if and when each man was released. It became a breeding ground, always ruled by consensus, for a new way of governing a divided nation.

To-day Robben Island is home to 4500 penguins, seals (the word “robben” is Dutch for seal), rare African Black Oyster birds, historical buildings which have many a story to tell, and residents with children. Our group walked from the prison hallways, along a dusty roadway, to the dock in quiet contemplation. It was a fairly short walk, totally unlike the 27 year “walk” that Nelson Mandela took. I picked up a small piece of broken slate to keep as a touchstone of remembrance. There had been many cameras recording scenes as we toured, but tones were hushed and few questions were asked. I felt as though we had all walked in hallowed halls with unfathomable spirits all around us. And now, the knowledge of where Mandela has been and what he has accomplished is even more overwhelming. I will always be inspired by his life and times.  Like Mandela, World Vision is involved in supporting and advocating for the needs of the most vulnerable in the world; the children, the sick, the poorest; and acting as agents for social justice and change. I was reminded of the onerous tasks World Vision has taken on to better the world.  There are many more hills for all of us to climb. Our trip to Robben Island will never be forgotten nor will the teachings of Mandela. My time in Zambia and this visit are highlights of my trip.

Carpe Diem

“Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice. It is a protection of a fundamental human right, the right to dignity and a decent life.” Nelson Mandela

Ever wonder what it’s like to take a local bus from the southern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo to southern Zambia? Probably not, I mean, who takes local buses in African countries other than locals. Well, David now considers himself a local and thought nothing of planning his trip based on the cheapest way to travel. So here’s what a road journey looks like (with someone else at the wheel), versus a 3-4 hour plane ride.

Friday May 21, 2010: Buy a bus ticket and leave the village of Bunkeya (west of Likasi), for a 2 hour ride to Likasi. Board another bus for a 2 hour ride to Lubumbashi. Find out there are no further buses heading south to the border. Saturday May 22, 2010: 7 AM: Board Lubumbashi bus headed for Kasumbalesa. Bus tire blow out on road (1 hour lost). Continue heading for Kitwe (still in DRC). Board Kitwe bus for Lusaka, Zambia (6 hours). Driver pulls in at 2 AM Sunday May 23, and decides not to continue until more passengers buy tickets. Lodging for night is bench in bus terminal.

Sunday May 23, 2010: 6:30 AM: Boards bus in Lusaka. Arrives in Livingstone, Zambia, 6 hours later. No wonder standing under the mist at Victoria Falls felt like a re-birth! Hearing this story was a reminder to me of the many challenges people face in this part of the world. For anyone living in small or large communities throughout the DRC and Zambia, bus travel, which is faster than rail travel, is fraught with complications. Border crossings for transport drivers, which involve immigration checks, may take days to weeks. Once again, the resilience of the people who deal with these delays and inefficiencies, amazes me.

Post Script: On his return to the DRC, Dave hopped a bus from Livingstone to Lusaka (spent 9 hours waiting in the terminal) and boarded an Air Zimbabwe flight to Lubumbashi, DRC, which is another story - but he shortened the trip considerably!

Our son David has spent the last 7 months working in Likasi, in the Democratic Republic of Congo.  He is on a Canadian International Development Agency internship, supervised by World Vision, which involves all aspects of international project management.  It has been a very challenging assignment thus far with many important deadlines, but he has somehow arranged to take a week off to meet up with me and his Dad in Livingstone, Zambia.  Our plan is to head for Botswana, to two different wilderness camps in the Okavango Delta, an area rich in mammals, birds and unique vegetation. I am expecting to see Dave on Friday May 21, the day my volunteer experience ends, but get word that he will be delayed.  Husband Ron arrives on Saturday May 22, but no Dave.  Another message from Dave - a further delay.  We are leaving at 8 am sharp on Monday morning, and wonder if Dave will make it. Finally at 3 pm on Sunday, Dave arrives - a tad the worse for wear.  He'd left Likasi 2 days earlier via local bus (an arduous journey at best).  The driver, on a whim, decided to park for one night in Lusaka, Zambia which ultimately caused a day's delay, and a fitful sleep for Dave in the bus terminal.  What a relief to finally see him!  And, other than wearing 2 days of road grime, he's looking good!  After hearing reports of contracting typhoid and several severe bouts of gastroenteritis requiring Congo hospitalization, I didn't know what to expect. Dave declares he's starving and needs a shower.  A short while later (Dave says he's left a 1/2 inch of red dirt on the shower floor), we get caught up.  We can't wait to hear all about his time in Likasi, and I want to share my exciting stories from Kalomo.  I hear all about governance, the environment, livelihood, youth initiatives and gender equality, research, accountability, new initiatives, and lessons learned. Dave is passionate about the work that is going on in his area of the DRC.  He loves the people he has met and the new learning is constant. I am wowed by the depth of analysis it takes to provide humanitarian aid and plan community development projects through World Vision.  I see the area development programs in Kalomo in a much different light - so complex and all encompassing!  Dave is also spending "off-hours" organizing youth football and playing in a semi-pro basketball league himself.  I sense this is a much needed break.

Now it's time to visit the world famous Victoria Falls - "the smoke that thunders".  It's just a three minute walk from our hotel.  Ron and I don yellow slickers; Dave - a bathing suit.  Victoria Falls is breathtakingly beautiful.  Watching the mighty Zambezi River cascade over a mile long shelf of stratified rock is a powerfully mesmerizing experience.  The heavy mist from the falls, forms a tropical downpour over the Zambezi bridge, and in spite of raincoats we get soaked.  Dave is obviously wearing the most appropriate apparel.  It's hot and sunny and the heavy shower is exhilarating.  An enormous rainbow forms high above the mist and arcs down below the bridge into the canyon below.  It is magical.  Young local kids with bare feet, take flying runs at the sloping bridge, skidding down at high speed.  It's the best water slide in the world! A further path takes us to a steep rock pathway, descending 687 yards to the "boiling point".  This treacherous whirlpool was created by the river hitting rock face at a 90 degree angle.  The swirling, surging water is unlike any whirlpool I've ever seen.  A number of baboons are roaming around the "point".  Apparently it's a favourite place for them to check out tourists and scavenge for possible refuse left behind.  We head back, interested in hearing more about Dave's work, and to prepare for the journey ahead.

Hope Perches in the Soul - Friday May 21 - 2010

NOTE: I am leaving for Botswana and will be off-line for the next week. Blogs will then resume. I have many photos and video footage of my experience which will have to wait to be posted. Stay tuned, and enjoy reading!

During my two week stay in Southern Province, Zambia, I was sruck not only by the depth of poverty and back breaking labour demanded of agricultural workers, but by the sunny disposition of all I met. It was not what I expected in an area with a high level of HIV/AIDS (between 15-20% - UNAIDS), many orphaned children (over 600,000 in Zambia - UNAIDS), and a high rate of unemployment (ADP, Kalomo - 80%). I am sure that there are times when people wring their hands with despair at the lack of employment opportunities and the devastation that AIDS has created, but I also heard many people say that due to the concerted effort at all levels for HIV prevention, there is an increased sense of hopefulness for the future. Seeing young men standing about the streets of Kalomo, looking for “piece work”, (carrying bags of maize to vehicles) is a sad reminder of the lack of possibilities for them, and I wonder how long they are willing to wait for government corruption to be reigned in. But, here is the good news: I have also found that World Vision’s humanitarian efforts here are well recognized and have created real opportunities and inspired many. There is an understanding that the world is watching and people are encouraged to know that we truly care, and are expecting change. On our travels, we saw children without visible toys, playing in the sand outside mud huts, laughing and chasing and using their imaginations making designs with sticks. They jumped off wooden stools, sifted sand with used bottles and old containers, and played football with prized “mizzey” balls (homemade soccer balls made from discarded plastic sugar bags, unravelled and wound into balls). Someone near our guest house had created a volleyball net using unravelled maize bags - meticulously woven into an authentic looking net - with 2 tall straight wooden branches at each end. Nightly matches were met with lots of competitive joshing and laughter. I noticed the net was down after our first week. Perhaps, too many misguided hard volleys destroyed it, and it would take time and acquisition of another maize bag (not easy to get as people rely on the bags as sleeping mats), before a replacement net could be constructed. Locals on pathways greeted us with friendly hello’s, vendors at the village market treated us like family, and farmers laughed when we commented that their work load looked difficult. The ADP staff who shared our van, and who witness unbelievable hardships on a daily basis, joked with one another constantly, laughter, their other companion. From my two week visit, I will always remember the quickness of a smile or laugh from Zambian people. I will remember, noting the work ethic of individuals everywhere, but on reflection, I can’t remember seeing anyone frowning or appearing distressed. Why is that?, I asked Masauso, our community agricultural consultant, an intelligent, thoughtful man. “ We believe”, he stated, “that in order to live a long life, we must smile. We will gain nothing by thinking badly about things. We are hopeful every day that things will improve. We live one day at a time with hope. We are also very spiritual people, and pray for God’s grace, but also work hard to improve our lives”. At that, his face lit up with a thousand watt smile, the signature expression of Masauso Bandu. HOPE; that intangible; the one “with feathers / that perches in the soul”, (E. Dickinson), is everywhere in this comunity. It’s in the eyes of the World Vision staff, the farmers, the women with children and babies, the nurses Eunice and Daisy, the teachers and the youth group. It’s in the eyes of guest house neighbour 12 year old Lucky, who organizes football matches for little ones, and dreams of owning an authentic ball one day (note: he received one from me! - thanks to Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment), and it’s in the minds of all the other children. It’s about participating in any endeavor that will improve daily life. Ultimately, it’s about advocating for the wonderful children - the next generation - who just need a chance. They don’t ask for much; just clean water to drink, and enough food, and someone to help if they are sick. They also require the privilege and joy of being able to go to school and learn, and the sense that someone cares about them. To honour these hopeful Zambians, I hope that when I return to Canada, and tell my stories, that others will consider the value of a World Vision sponsorship and begin to change the life of just one vulnerable Zambian child. If you invest in the life a child, there is no negative outcome, only a better world.

“We are the world, We are the children, We are the ones who make a better day so let’s start giving, there’s a choice we’re making................” (michael jackson).

Our final day in Kalomo - Thursday May 20, 2010 This is the special day we’ve been waiting for - the Photo Gallery exhibit - by the children’s group. We are expecting lots of family, friends and ADP staff to attend. The children will each profile their top 3 photos. They’ve already explained why these pictures are important to them and how they represent a future filled with personal interests, and hope for the future. This will be described to the assembled viewers with the help of a translator. We are planning a slide show on a large portable screen and we arrive at Zu’s Guest House early, to set everything up in their large dining hall. Withing minutes we realize the power is out. So, no printed photos and no slideshow for the exhibit. A huge disappointment, but we quickly switch to Plan D or is it E? We decide to set up two juiced up computers in either corner of the room. One will show our pictures of the children discovering how to use a camera during their 5 sessions. The other will profile the work of the children. We are very happy when many people from the community come for the showing, grandmothers and older siblings, some parents and babies. They seem to understand our exhibit challenges. The children have indicated a lot of positive views of the future through their images. A pile of bricks represents hope for future buildings. Photos of vehicles - car ownership; images of specific buildings where professionals work - career goals; photos of each other - strong ties; vegetation - an eye for artistry and love of food. The children have told us that the workshops have been great fun and that they have learned a lot. They are given bright red Canada ballcaps, a Canadian flag, and button. We move outside where we are treated to Zambia drumming and a comedy sketch organized by ADP staff. Apparently, the sketch (in Tonga) is about good use of hygiene, and the crowd laughs and laughs. We don’t understand, but enjoy the positive energy of the people. Everyone shakes hands (the girls bow slightly and curtsy) and bids farewell. We will really miss the youngsters. They arrived shy and awkward, having never held a camera, and progressed to a comfortable level of competence. They demonstrated intelligence, a willingness to learn and some showed real talent. I hope this experience will stay with them always and act as a motivator to do well in school, and follow their dreams. Time has flown, and now we must collect luggage and head to Livingstone, where most of the group will prepare to depart for Canada. I will be meeting up with family and heading for Botswana, to a wilderness camp. I will also be processing everythng that my child sponsorship trip has meant to me and preparing to create photo and video presentaions of my incredible experience.

Day in the LIfe, Vocational Carpentry - Wednesday March 19

Our team split into 2 groups this morning. One group travelled to visit sponsored children, while my group visited another successful agricultural farm specializing in bee keeping, and later met with a furniture maker who works with youth. Rhoda Museta is a mother of 7 and a grandmother of 3. She was selected by her community to receive assistance from World Vision regarding learning up-to-date best farming methods. Zambia is a country where agricultural outcomes are critical to the welfare of the people. It’s becoming more apparent lthat World Vision is investing (especially in providing education about best farming practices) in the agricultural workers in order to create self-sufficient individuals, families and communities. Rhoda also attended a program to learn how to operate an apiary. There is no shortage of bees in subsaharan Africa, so bee keeping is an obvious choice for farmers. It was a beautiful sunny morning when we arrived at the farm, and we sat on low slung wooden stools, under a shady tree while she told us about her farm. She keeps 10 bee hives and has replaced a former bark hive with wooden box type hives. She shares a harvesting suit purchased by World Vision with other local bee keepers so that she won’t be stung. A problem with snakes getting into 4 of the hives was remedied by placing the hives in a new location. Income generation from honey sales has meant that Rhoda and her husband have been able to supplement their income and live independently. They also have cattle, chickens and plant an enormous garden. They sell produce, and have learned how to keep vegetables free from infestation. Hopes for the future involve opening a cooperative pasteurization plant in Kalomo, so that prices for honey will increase. In order to experience a little taste of Rhoda’s life, our group took turns carrying water from the bore hole, (about 500 metres away), shelled groundnuts, and picked pumpkin leaves. It is hard, hard work to complete all the daily tasks on this farm, and Rhoda and her daughters laughed good naturedly as they watched us struggling to do the simplest things that they do quickly and efficiently. The pumpkin leaves were thinly sliced, the ground nuts were pounded in a large wooden mortar and pestle and all were placed in a blackened pot over a wood fire. Water was added to the pot, and soon the savory vegetable mixture was simmering. Traditionally this dish is called a condiment, to be served with shima. We were given a container of the stew to add to our lunch, and it was delicious, with a unique smoky flavour that only an open wood fire can provide.  About 100 metres down a pathway from Rhoda’s, we met up with Sheperd, a cabinet maker, who spent 2 years in Livingstone studying his craft before becoming a master. Since 2007, he has worked with local secondary school students, teaching furniture making. A beautiful bed frame, chairs and sofa frames all made from local African woods stood under a tree, varnish drying. This group hopes to use the income generated from sales, to someday build a small shop and house, where they can keep their tools, and construct furniture even in the rainy season. They will then be able to accommodate larger contracts, like making school desks. Teaching youth vocational skills like cabinetry is something World Vision very much supports. Our final Photo Workshop for registered children with World Vision, was held at Zu’s Guest House in Kalomo. The children were instructed to continue to take photos in the neighbourhood of things that inspire them. Isabel photographed a bank. Elizabeth, a school - both places that they would like to work in someday. Another child has an incredible eye for abstract close ups of water, plants and trees and Juven is fascinated with motor vehicles. I am getting the impression that these children, in spite of the limitations that severe poverty creates, have the same dreams and aspirations that Canadian children have. They are excited by the possibilities that the camera topics record. Our team has created invitations for the children to take to their families and neighbours, inviting them to a photo gallery showing tomorrow. After the children leave, we discover that our printer only prints in green tones; There is no fixing it. Yikes!! Time to create some Plan B to Zees. Life here is a tad unpredictable and it’s important that we remain flexible! Hey!! We have computers and a screen, we’ll do a slide show for everyone!