We woke up this morning to learn that Tracey is sick. Fortunately, it looks as if it's just a touch of food poisoning from our dinner at Michelangelo's last night. We remain confident that the restaurants we frequent are safe places to eat. In fact, the guys, who are out and about more than the rest of us, have been eating all over town with no ill effects.
Dave left early to work with Friday on the car (see the separate blog all about the car drama). Three of the four guys (Brian, Bryn and Troy) went to Kantolomba to help with the food program and to work on their soap experiments with the women.
Everyone checking out the progress of the soap.
Cheri and Jen spent the morning meeting with Tom to debrief about the trip thus far. Tom has a vision of creating a program that would give students the opportunity to participate each summer in the projects of Living Compassion in Zambia. He is eager to have the benefits of the project go both ways, not just Living Compassion offering a unique experience for the students, but for the students to give back in a long-term, sustained fashion.
Meeting at a local coffee bar we just found, we were
treated to a latte almost too beautiful to drink.
We then escorted Tom to the airport to catch his flight back to the U.S. He arrives back in Zambia next Wednesday.
Later in the day, we all went out to Kantolomba to the building site. We had a wonderful meeting with Gaudencia, James, Theresa, and Veronica. The conversation was aimed at getting to the bottom of the growing anger and resentment about pay on the building site. It all came down to a huge misunderstanding. At bottom is the fact that these people have never had a job. Imagine! They've never worked for pay. They can't count; they can't write. In one day, they were plunged into a world they know nothing about. They assumed they would be paid immediately, and when they weren't, assumed they were being cheated. They were afraid to say anything to James or Gaudencia and so would complain to Theresa. No one communicated, and the divide grew. Gaudencia and James explained how they would be paid and reassured the workers that they are open to all feedback and concerns. Big smiles all around.
Working in the trenches of the foundation.
As that part of the meeting came to a close, Gaudencia began to speak of her concerns about how this new employment will impact the community. She's done a lot of work in community development and wants to help set up systems for assisting these newly employed residents to be successful. As soon as we realized the direction of the conversation, we asked her to wait while we went to fetch Bryn, Troy, and Brian. A lively discussion ensued in which we learned that Gaudencia has a good friend with a history of creating the types of programs we envision. She will contact him, invite him to Ndola, and we'll avail ourselves of his expertise. Much enthusiasm.
The guys then hopped into the back of Gaudencia's truck for the short trip down to the school, where they showed us the work they've been doing with soap making.
The guys in the back of Gaudencia's truck.
Between shopping and cooking at the school, taking pictures of the children, and soap/science projects-- oh, and exchanging English/Bemba lessons--the fellows have become very popular fixtures in the community. Mutual affection is obvious. The guys are impressed with the intelligence and knowledge of the women (they had quite an enlightening discussion about George Bush and the Iraq war!); and the women are charmed and fascinated by the friendliness, involvement, and commitment of the young men.
We all check out the soap experiment.
Back in town, Dave filled us in on the not-so-good news about the car. Although we are making progress on repairs, we keep finding more things wrong. The car broke down mere hours after our arrival, and now we may not have it for any of the trip at all. AND the well pump is not in as we had hoped it would be by now. AND the electricity has still not been installed at the property. Over dinner, we had a moment of feeling discouraged until someone began to rattle off a list of all that IS working. Knowing that the quality of life is determined by the focus of attention, we took notes and stopped to really take in the list. We offer it to you as well:
Things that Are Working:
1. The existing programs are running like clockwork.
The women are well trained and dedicated. They are transformed individuals from the work they are doing and from the salaries that enable them to support their families for the first time in their lives.
Theresa and Veronica are fabulous coordinators.
2. The second food program is poised to begin.
A new, very vulnerable population of children will be served (10-15 year olds).
Having the guys here makes it possible to do the enormous shopping without a car. This second food program is the fruition of a goal we have had for nearly a year.
3. The guys have been a wonderful presence in Kantolomba.
The soap project has been especially effective as a team effort among the guys and locals.
4. The car has been a frustration, AND there are some good things that have come of it. Friday, our mechanic, is a gem and may be the answer to long-term, effective care for the car. We have proven to ourselves once again that we can work around anything.
5. The well:
We have learned what to do and what not to do for the next well to save thousands of dollars.Cheri had an insight about a perfect way to install the tank that saved $20,000!
We have gained clarity on the purpose of this first well, which is that it will mainly serve the community center and school, allowing us to move forward with a water plan for the whole compound.
6. We found a fabulous, affordable guesthouse, run by a dynamite woman who is a great resource to us in countless areas.
The guesthouse is of a size that makes it perfect for us to use for next year's trip. They'll even let us cook for ourselves.
7. The construction of the community center is stellar. Gaudencia and James are excellent shepherds. 45 people are employed. It is all really happening!
8. Dr. Heather's visit feels like a miracle: that she found us, contacted us, and made it happen. Having her here made our medical program a reality. We knew we could begin before the clinic was complete, and now we know how.
9. We have taken large leaps forward with employment programs. It is the key area in which we have been hoping for a breakthrough, and this trip has brought it. Gaudencia is skillfully providing employment for 45 people who have never previously held an official, paying job. We have met with several microfinance folks and are taking the first steps to put a program in place. Micro-loans has the potential to have the largest, sustaining impact on the community.
10. It is the middle of the trip, and we have ALREADY emailed photos of the current one hundred children back to the U.S. The photos are being put on our web site, and the "100 Children" video is being updated, proving that the Home Team is just as crucial as the team here!
11. We took video of Everesto and already have it to our first contact in L.A.
12. We are being able to keep folks at home up to date with the blog during the trip, instead of sending it later.
13. Email is working.
14. We are being well fed.
15. We are blessed with a wonderful group of people to work with: Theresa and her team, Gaudencia, James, Steve, Friday, Godfrey...on and on
16. And, last but assuredly not least, our lives are being transformed in this process.
Ahhhh, that feels better. Our attention is once again focused on gratitude, possibility and participation.
As always, thank you to those who are with us via this blog.