We've found it is perhaps more important to start our days here in Zambia with good care (meditation, yoga, exercise) than it is at home because once the activities of the day begin we usually have a decreasing ability to influence our choices as the day progresses. If we start the day with an idea that we will be back home for an early evening, if we count on that early evening to provide time for internally focused activities, we will often be disappointed. Life in Zambia very quickly proves to one that control is indeed an illusion.
Theresa arrived at Castle Lodge at about 9 a.m. to help us rough out our schedule for this visit. We have several projects we want to complete, most of them involving the children. The plan to meet with three hundred of them for photographs and updates, which will require an epic amount organizing in a community where communication happens by word of mouth. However, we are employing the technique that will work with children around the world: we have announced a party with treats!
One of our favorite taxi drivers, Muyunda, is back in town and we've hired him for the duration. Sadly, he is obviously very ill. But he's as cute and charming as ever and we're grateful to have this time with him.
The rainy season has reduced the roads to a nearly impassable state. Several times on the way to Kantolomba we had to get out of the car so Muyunda would have enough clearance to pick his way around and through the deep ruts. Having a safe, reliable driver here is critical. This fact was abruptly brought home to us when we learned that Beauty's 18 year old son was critically injured and her little grandson was killed recently in a traffic accident on the way to Lusaka when the bus they were traveling in collided with a truck. Beauty and her husband immediately left on a bus for the hospital in Lusaka to see their son. They have no choice. There are no other options. So, we are truly grateful to have a driver who is attentive and cautious.
Theresa and Cheri walking behind the taxi.
The compound is bustling with activity. James the building supervisor and John the plumber work with their crews on the big building.
John and James
Near the gate a group of boys kick a soccer ball, pausing regularly to do astounding tricks, much as jazz musicians jamming take turns doing solo riffs.
Soccer tricks
In the play area near the grass the girls do variations on dodge ball, one of them involving pairs of girls, one on the other's back--talk about getting some good exercise! (These are the same balls the fellows visiting summer before last brought to the children!)
Ultra dodge ball.
Behind them the Living Compassion carpenters measure and saw boards for the walls of the new community pit latrine, referred to locally as a VIP latrine. We guess the name comes from its spiffy, government approved design. Once this group of latrines is complete, all others in the compound will be torn down and the pits covered, making the community that much safer against water-born diseases. There have been outbreaks of cholera in Zimbabwe and Malawi. The government in Ndola is being proactive in educating people about extra care of water and informing them about clinics being set up to handle any suspected cases here.
Cutting boards for the fence.
Charles, one of the teachers of the older students, works with Christopher and Pascal on the boards for the latrine while the Living Compassion Ladies work in the garden and on a clearing project on the road leading to the compound. They knew we were coming so they're decked out in their bright Living Compassion "uniforms."
Charles
Pascal
The team poses in their uniforms with Jen and Cheri.
While waiting for Gaudencia, the contractor, to arrive for a building consultation, we walked with Ann, Foster, and Josephine for a tour of their houses, complete with spanking new roofs. Theresa explained that it is the custom when coming to a person's home to come inside and see all of it, not just observe from the yard. So we took the whole tour. These little houses are really quite snug and cute. Each one has a "sitting room" with comfortable chairs covered in knitted or crocheted throws, a kitchen area with shelves for pots and pans and dishes (the actual cooking is done outside), and a bedroom or two. Though the floors are dirt, the houses are immaculately clean and wonderfully organized. Bathing happens outside in a thatch-enclosed shower, and the latrine is tucked away as far from the house as possible. Josephine, married to Christopher the carpenter, has a front and back porch area, both covered for comfortable outside sitting in any season and a small garden patch, also enclosed by thatch. Our remaining wish for these folks is that they could all have electricity in some form so they could have a little light inside. The windows are very small and the interior of the houses is quite dark even in the sunniest hours of the day. Perhaps we can find some solar lights for them.
Josephine inside her renovated house.
On the way to the houses we visited the tuck shop the women have created from the profits they received from making the bags for the Social Venture Network conference last October. The carpenters made the building and the women have supplied it with all the little things the community needs to buy on a regular basis. We asked how business is and faces broke into big grins. "Business is very good!" they reported. We all have a vision of expanding this "shopping center" until each person who wants to start a little business can have his or her own tuck shop, renting a space from the Living Compassion Cooperative. The Cooperative will then have income to expand into other projects. They are currently operating the water distribution in this way, and through the proceeds from selling water they have been able to buy the nails for the tuck shop and pay the plumber to fix a leak in the water system.
Theresa at the "tuck shop"
Regina is usually shopkeeper.
Marian, Josephine's seven year old daughter, joined us for the walk back to the Community Center. She is very ill. We knew she was HIV+ but had been healthy. (Because things like names are not written down and we're working between two languages, we get different pronunciations and spellings with each interaction. Marian is who we have previously referred to as "Mary Ann" and "Monica".) She has started ARVs and a special diet, but she's obviously struggling. (Josephine's story) However, her compromised health has not hurt her sense of humor, which we didn't even know she had since she speaks in Bemba. While sitting on the porch she remarked to her mother and Theresa, after Theresa expressed surprise that Baby Cheri would let someone besides her mother hold her, "Baby Cheri knows they have come to take her home with them." (Perhaps wishful thinking on the part of a seven-year-old being required to share what was until a few months ago mother's exclusive time and attention.) Later Marian observed that, "They (the two Cheris) even look alike." These comments are delivered with a deadpan expression that any comic would love to pull off. She's a very bright little girl who is so tiny that it's hard to keep in mind she's as old as she is.
Cheri and Baby Cheri