Firsts

Firsts

Yesterday I had to go into Lusaka after church to pick up our
daughter, who had spent the weekend there. I asked the two oldest
girls in the two newest houses to come with me; Annette (10yo),
Tereshina, Agnes, and Mary J (all 9yo). They were so excited.

We left immediately after church. On the way they asked what the
"round grass" was? It took me a while to figure out what they were
saying since I sounded like "glass" and I hadn't seen what they were
referring to. I finally understood that it was the round hay bales in
the fields.

I pointed out a couple of places on the way that have so much rubbish
(trash). I wanted it to be an object lesson on what happens when you
litter. One said, "that will make you sick."

I actually got pulled over at one of the traffic stops because one of
the brake lights wasn't working. I had to get out of the car and go
into the little Police Office to pay a fine. So the girls sat in the
car watching all the trucks and cars going by and wondering what was
happening. That was a first for me too.

When we got to Lusaka, they kept exclaiming over things that they saw.
I found out that Annette has been to Kabwe, a town north of us. None
had been to Lusaka before, and the other 3 didn't even know what a
city was.

We went to Arcades, a shopping mall which has a big craft fair on
Sundays. We went to Zamchick for lunch for chicken and chips (French
fries). Turns out it was the first time they had ever eaten chips. I
gave each pair of girls from a house 20,000 kwacha (about $5) to get
something for their mothers (housemothers) as we walked around the
crafts.

At one of the booths their eyes lit up to see a pair of shiny,
colorful, big earings. I don't know what the mothers thought of that.
There was a bit of money left so, I added a bit more so that each
girl could get a small thing for themselves.

We ended our trip with ice cream. None of the girls had eaten ice
cream before! So I think it is a day they will never forget.

A week ago our housekeeper, Esther, went with me to Lusaka. One of
the malls was recently remodeled and now has both an escalator and
elevators. So Esther, who is about 35, rode an escalator and an
elevator for the first time.

Of course, being in Africa, I have my own things that have been
firsts. But to see someone else do something that is commonplace for
me, but a first for them, is a joyful experience.

A Teacher and A Student

A Teacher and a Student

I am sharing the writing of a retired teacher and Nelson, a 7th grade
student at our school. At our school we have a visitor book and this
is an entry from last week.

27-05-11 "I visited the School when I came to see one of the teachers
who is my daughter. I was very impressed with what I saw. The school
is very good. I worked as a teacher for a long time in many schools.
I had never seen what I have seen here. There are a lot of materials,
resource materials for both teachers and pupils.
This is a good development to both the community and the country at large.
May the good Lord continue blessing the people that are helping this
place to continue running.
How I wish we can have this kind of school in all the provinces.
Truly the School of Hope has brought hope to all the people of Zambia.
Keep on with this kind of spirit, Mrs. Terry Chisoinga Kombe

"The Reception of Teacher Malowa's Wedding" by Nelson
At Chibombo when we reached, we found that there were many people on
the door that we couldn't get in. The Teacher Chirwa said to the men
who were at the door, "We are the guest of honor." Then the men said,
"Move you people so that the guest of honor can get in." Then we went
in and they gave us a bench to sit on.
When we sat, people came in and started dancing and all the others
were cheering for them. After a while, we were listening to the music
and other people giving speeches. Then the women came and said, "It's
time for Teacher Malowa and Aunty Alice to come in." All the people
cheered when they saw Teacher Malowa and Aunty Alice coming in dancing
with a nice step.
After a while, when all the people settled and when Teacher Malowa
and Aunty Alice sat down, Auntyt Kimberly gave me a camera to go and
take pictures. When I went in front, there were a lot of camera men,
but I managed to take pictures. When people settled, some relatives
of Teacher Malow and Aunty Alice gave a speech about the wedding and
how it was. They said that we must do what is right like the way
Teacher Malowa did it, to make a wedding.
After the relatives of Teacher Malowa and Aunty Alice finished, Aunty
Kathleen went in and gave us a speech saying that it was the first
Zambian wedding that she had ever gone to, and it was interesting to
see how people do when there is a wedding. Afterward we went in and
greeted Teacher Malowa and Aunty Alice saying, "Well done" and
"Congratulations." After some time, people started bringing different
gifts to give Teacher Malowa and Aunty Alice. Then we said, "Goodbye
Teacher Malowa and Aunty Alice.
On the way back home, we went in Aunty Kimberly's car with Aunty Hope
and the other Aunty. After we went for a while we dropped Aunty
Harriet and the other Aunty at Nyirenda Village. Weh n we reached
home, Cottage 2 ran to us and asked us how it was. Then I went home
and I ate my food. After that I read my books and my Bible. Then I
prayed and slept.

Friends

Friends

This blog is really about you, our friends, those who read and are
interested in the children, people, and work here in Zambia.

First I am pleased to let everyone know that we have a new volunteer
who will be managing our Facebook page. Since those of us in Zambia
are not able to easily access the internet, Deb will be helping us by
posting news and pictures. She is also more knowledgeable about
Facebook. So if you are on Facebook, please make sure that you go to
Villages of Hope Zambia (the one with a black and white picture of
Isaac and Gift), and sign up. Also spread the news to other friends
that you have.

Secondly, we do not send out letters requesting donations and we do
very little fundraising. However, that doesn't mean that we don't
need partners to help with this work. The care that our children
receive – loving home life, great nutrition, outstanding education -
is being held up by the Zambian government as a model for others. I
wish you could see the joyful, enthusiastic, loving children that live
here. But we need partners who will help us through financially
giving. You can help sponsor a cottage of 8-9 children. You can help
sponsor a student or a teacher at our school. You can help invest in
the community around us and the future of the children by contributing
to the initial costs of the economic development of this organization.

To contribute you can go to the website and give through the Paypal
account, or you can send donations to 224 N. Washington Street, Havre
de Grace, MD 21078. If you have any questions email us at
villagesofhope@gmail.com.

Mumps

Mumps

The latest health news from the Village is that we have an outbreak of
mumps. One of the children probably was exposed when they went back
to their home village during the holiday month of April. So far it
doesn't seem too serious. No one is as swollen as I was when I had
them as a child. But they are hurting and some are a bit swollen. I
couldn't even find mumps listed in a Pediatric Health book from the
states. So what is no longer a problem in the US is a common
occurrence here in Zambia.

School Enrollment Growing

School Enrollment Growing

This morning we met with the workers here at the Village of Hope. For
the first time we are offering to open the enrollment of our school to
children other than the children in our care in the Village. The
criteria is that at least one parent has to be employed here, that the
child needs to between the ages of 6-11, and in grade 1 or 2. There
will be the same fee that is charged by the Okada Community School
next door, plus there is a fee for lunches.

The workers, mainly men, asked questions. The biggest issue they had
was with the fees and for those in Liteta, the transportation. Later
in the day I heard that there was excitement by some of the workers
that they could bring their child here.

So in the next couple of days we will be receiving the applications
and the new children will start next Monday. Everyone is excited!

Imagine....

Imagine.....

Imagine living in a neighborhood, really 2 blocks of a street where:
there were 48 children
you could be outside in wonderful weather about 85% of the year
there was the sound of happy children playing much of the time
you could hear the squeak of the swings on the play set
you could hear the cheers from a soccer game being played
if you needed help there were many hands volunteering to be the one(s)
walking down the street meant being greeted many times by, "Hi
Auntie" or "Hi, Uncle"
That is what it is like where I live, at the Village of Hope

Different worlds and cultures

Different Worlds and Cultures

When I was in the states last month, our daughter Jessica, gave us the DVD set for the first season of "The #1 Ladies Detective Agency" produced by the BBC.  Jessica knew that it was a favorite book series of mine, as well as many other people over here.  So we have started watching it.  It is set and filmed in Botswana.  What a wonderful series.  I recommend it to anyone.  It would also be especially interesting to folks who are planning a trip to Africa.  We give it high marks and thank you Jessica!!

A funny thing happened recently.  We needed Felix, our resident artist, to repaint our roadside signs.  These are big signs that advertise the Take-Away, Market, and Shower facilities (for truckers).  Benedict asked him if he could add "hot" to the shower signs so that it would read "Hot Showers." 
Felix:  "Yes!"
Benedict thought: "I wonder if he knows how to spell hot."  So he asked, "Do you know how to spell hot:"
Felix: "Yes!"
Benedict thought: "I better check to make sure."  So he asked, "How do you spell it?"
Felix: "H -E-A-R-T"
So much for the accents we have!  Although we thought to put "Heart showers" might get more business than "Hot Showers!"

KamZamNews Update from the Kamaus

Greetings Everyone!

For many of you in the US it is the time of year when the days are getting a little longer, warmer weather is on its way and cookouts are welcome!  Well, it is the opposite on this side of the world as we start to have shorter days, wear warmer clothing and relish a hot cup of coffee or lemongrass chai.  Cookouts are still welcome though!  Take a moment to view some photos of what we have been up to! 

The Kamaus

www.kamzamnews.blogspot.com

The wedding

The Wedding

Sunday was the wedding for Bruce Malowa, one of our teachers.  I arrived back on Friday from the US.  Then on Saturday one of the things I did was to have all the kids come in their clothes so we could make sure everyone was adequately dressed.  We still had a couple of shirts that were too big and some shoes that were needed.  So I tried to find the needed items.  I also took ribbon around to the houses for the girls to use in their hair.

Sunday we started gathering on our verandah at 9:30.  All 42 kids went, all the mothers and aunties, the Kamaus, us, and the Mumbas girls.  It took 2 trips to transport everyone to Liteta.  There was much excitement, as you can imagine. 

When we arrived at the church, all eyes who were near the doors, turned to me.  Benedict and I were the only white people there with over 500 in attendance.  I was escorted to the front of the church since I was the guest of honor. Bruce had asked me a couple of months ago. Our folks- children and adults - were seated in a couple of places in the church.  The choir was singing, acapella, and they were very good.  I enjoyed listening to them.  In the US they could cut CDs that people would buy. 

After a delay the ceremony started.  One of the first things was that the "Bible boy" came in.  He came in with a couple of young adults who were carrying the 2 pillows that the bride and groom would kneel on.  The boy was the cutest thing.  He was all dressed up in a suit.  He carried the Bible and did a little slow step to the music.  He was about 4-5 and seriously did his job - all the way up and all the way back.

The groomsmen came in from the front of the church, the bridesmaids from the back, doing a kind of dance step.  The met in the center of the aisle and continued with slow dance steps as they came together.  Actually, the men came in with the flowers that they then gave the girls. 

A ribbon was then put across the aisle.  So Alice, the bride, came in from the back on the arm of her father with her head bowed (humilty and seriousness) (to the tune of "Here Comes the Bride played by the DJ and from a CD. How many times have I played that for weddings in the US!  The recording was even of an organ!).  Bruce came in from the front.  They were doing a slow dance type step too and they met half way down the aisle.  The pastor then said that before the service could proceed that someone had to give permission.  So the father said he did.  Everyone cheered.  Then Bruce and Alice proceeded up the aisle, both being very, very serious - no smiles.

The wedding continued with the bride's head down the whole time and Bruce looking very serious.  When it came time to pray, the pastor asked all the couples that had been married the longest - 30 years or more to come up and kneel around the couple to pray for them.  So Benedict and I were part of that group.  At the end of the ceremony, the pastor had all those same couples process out. 

After the wedding, we had to take most of the kids back to the Village.  Then the 6 7th graders, Kimberly, Sena, Isha, and 2 mothers with me went to the reception.  It was a small hall and when we arrived people were lined up trying to get in.  Of course, my white face made us stand out and they knew I was the guest of honor so we all were escorted in.  People were sitting in rows of chairs facing a center aisle where the bridal party came in and then the bride and groom.  They still were both very somber.

Certain things were done, like cutting the cake after a guy danced in carrying the knife.  Gifts were brought up to the front - many unwrapped and you don't need to have a card since they don't write thank yous and there is no mail delivery here.  There was a time for coming up and greeting the couple.  Before that a member of the bride's family gave a short speech, a member of the groom's family, and the guest of honor (that's me).  I had Zandile interpret for me. 

I thanked them and said it was a great honor to be asked.  I said I had been married for almost 38 years and had 6 children, 4 of them married so this reminded me of those weddings.  I referred to the quote in Proverbs about a strand of 3 cords is not easily broken - husband, wife, the Lord.  I also referred to the accident they had been in when going to marital counseling.  It was a miracle that they weren't killed and I said that God had a purpose for them together to serve Him.  Then I said that this was my first Zambian wedding and I was having trouble with getting use to the Zambian tradition of the bride and groom being serious.  I said I knew that it was their culture to be serious (they clapped and laughed) but (looking at Bruce and Alice) I hope that they had joy and a song in their heart.  They smiled!!!  This was a bit of a comfort since it is hard to know what is going on in a person's mind and heart when they look so serious and almost sad.

All in all it was a very interesting time.  I would now like to go to another Zambian wedding - maybe Pentecostal and not Seventh Day Adventist.

So that is my report and we are still talking about it.  Bruce and Alice and a female cousin of his have now moved into the Village for a short time while we finish the first building of the senior staff/teacher housing.  It is common to have another family member stay with you, I think, when you get married.

It is a different world!!

Through the wardrobe

Through the Wardrobe

For any of you who have read C.S.Lewis' The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe  you will understand when I say that Benedict and I refer to the time we fly back and forth to Zambia as going through the wardrobe.  We move from one world to another.  So after almost 5 weeks in the US, being in 6 states, seeing 5 of our children who all live in different states, being with 7 grandchildren, 2 parents in their 80s, a mother-in-law who is 95, one AKCLI 2-day Board meeting, and things I don't even remember, I leave tonight for London, then Johannesburg, and then Lusaka.  The next 2 nights will be spent sitting up trying to sleep on planes.  By the time I land in Lusaka I will have been in 11 planes since I left On April 3. 

I'm thankful for all the safe flights, my wonderful family, friends who care, my Kindle (makes luggage lighter), and the children I look forward to seeing when I arrive at the Village of Hope.  In my luggage I have 22 pairs of flip-flops for the girls to wear to Teacher Malowa's wedding, books for the teachers, a great Sudoku book, various odds and ends, and clothes including dress shirts for some of the boys.

There won't be any down time when I arrive.  Saturday we will have all the kids do a trial run for the wedding - making sure every one has something nice to wear.  Will probably take pictures of everyone then.  Sunday is the big day with the wedding that everyone will go to in Liteta, and the reception in Chibombo that the 7th graders will attend.  Then Monday teachers report for the start of Term 2.  I just pray that my brain is working and I don't fall asleep when I should be setting up school for the arrival of children on Wednesday!!!