[Editors note: We apologize for the very few pictures from the last two days of the trip. It is not customary to photograph government-related things, which accounted for much of the content of Monday. It is also a challenge to keep up with taking photographs on one's own.]
Our very last shot at getting the NGO papers filed. Nothing could stop us.
I arrived at the Deputy DC's office at 8 hours sharp. He was not in yet so I decided not to waste time waiting but to return to Mr. Musunga's office at the police headquarters. He was not in either, but his colleagues assured me he soon would be. I waited.
The shortcut path from the guesthouse to the government offices downtown.
Thirty minutes later he appeared. After tackling the payment issue--when I told him I had seen an official document with the 3 million kwacha price listed he seemed satisfied that it was legitimate--we moved on to typing up a document that okayed our application to be an NGO. I was relieved and content to wait for a few more minutes to complete this part of the process. Three broken manual typewriters, long absences by Mr. Musunga, several searches for other needed officials, and two hours later,I emerged from the police station triumphant with the papers I needed. I ran to the car where Theresa and Pauline were waiting and commanded we head straight to the Deputy DC's office to hand in the papers, superstitious that any lag time could create some other unforeseen obstacle. Mr. Satwinda received the completed papers, said they will be sent off to Lusaka, and we should be able to pick up our official NGO certificate when we arrive in April. Only a handful of times have I felt as satisfied and relieved about paperwork as I did in that moment.
I walked a few doors down to see about meeting with the DC before leaving. He was in so I sat down to wait for him to be free. There was a man seated next to me also waiting who began asking me about our work in Zambia. When I told him we work in Kantolomba, he just looked at me. "Kantolomba? You work in Kantolomba? I am the Member of Parliament (the governing body in Lusaka--like our Senate) who covers that part of Ndola." We both laughed at the odds of us meeting like this and began quickly to see ways we can work together. He was not at all shy about admitting that our work in Kantolomba could have a very positive effect on how people see him: if he is able to help us make our vision a reality, the lives of people in Kantolomba will be transformed under his watch as the MP. Political assistance used wisely has much potential in Zambia we are told. It felt like a little farewell gift from the guardian angels who seem to follow us around.
It was nearing lunchtime so Theresa, Pauline and I finished up some errands and went back to the guesthouse for a simple meal. They seem to be getting used to our musungu food of cheese, bread, yoghurt etc.
We went back into town and met Mr. Kayula, and together we completed our list of outstanding "to dos" before they dropped me off at the guesthouse to finish packing and relax. I had a goal to begin the journey well rested, in good health and relaxed. So far so good.
Mr. Kayula. Theresa and Pauline in the background.