75%

For the last 3 days we have had the challenge of almost no electricity.  Just like he does in the US, Benedict always calls the electric company ( Zesko here) to let them know we have no power. The information that he got was that they are working on the big electric turbines at Kafue Gorge.  As a result, 75% of the country has been without electricity except for maybe 4-6 hours in a 24 hour period. 

It makes you realize how much we depend on electricity.  Here at the Village we use electricity to pump the water.  So if it is off for too long we run out of water.  We haven't been able to use the copier at the school, so have to make work sheets and manipulatives by hand.  If we want to work on the computer we can only do work as long as our batteries last.

At night I'm usually ready to go to bed by 8:00 and with no electricity it makes it even harder to try and stay up.  I've also noticed that since the days are shortening and it is dark later in the morning, with no electricity, the children get a later start and school has been starting late.

But we can still see the beautiful Zambian sunrises and sunsets.  We can still hear the bird songs and that crazy rooster that starts crowing at 3am. And we can always walk to one of the houses and visit with the children and mothers.