When we arose the following morning, we all recognized that it would be a long and very full day that would not truly end until after we finished the radio show with Cheri at 3:00 a.m. Zambia time. But we started out energized at 6:30 a.m. with a sitting meditation followed by breakfast.
Our first outing of the day was to an AIDS hospice run by the Catholic church. Although we all knew that the epidemic was having a devastating effect on the whole continent of Africa, up until that point we had not truly seen anyone at the end stages of the disease. We were warned that this could be a very difficult, and some would say depressing, experience-particularly because the facilities are known to be run-down and not clean. However, we found this facility to be very clean and to provide a caring atmosphere for the patients. It was divided into two large rooms, one ward for men and the other for women with about 15 people each. When we entered, we all just naturally dispersed to speak with individual patients and their family members. The youngest person there was John, a friendly 16-year-old in a wheelchair who sat outside and greeted us all with a winning smile.
In contrast with what you would find in a U.S. medical facility, none of the patients had IV lines and the staff was primarily all volunteers. When we left them with five boxes of rubber gloves, we were told that the donation was greatly appreciated since they often had to wash out gloves and reuse them many times over before discarding. We also left some of the T-shirts made at last year’s Bridge Walk, as well as a “Really Good Person” hat for John.
We then drove over to a nearby facility run by the same organization that focused on vulnerable children. Some had HIV/AIDS, some had other life-threatening diseases, and some had permanent physical and mental disabilities. Others were simply abandoned; we were told one baby was recently found on a garbage heap.
Our arrival there was a dramatic event for us all. As the minibus appeared on the grounds, at least 40 very young children came running to the door. When we slid it open, they piled inside wanting to be held. We sat in the car bewildered and amused, as we weren’t exactly sure how to get out with so many of them inside. There was no way to leave that vehicle without at least one child in your arms and more attached to your legs. Still others stood around, holding up their arms in the hopes that someone would pick them up and give them some love and attention. Spending time with the babies and children there was quite moving and heart-opening for our group.
When we toured the facility, we saw about 20 infants inside with some other volunteers holding and feeding them. In another room, there were several disabled children unable to walk or interact. It was clear that the system did not have the resources to truly treat these children appropriately.
It was another difficult place for us to leave, but we agreed this would be one of the most memorable moments of our trip.
Following lunch back at the friary, we left again for our final visit to Masala Primary. While the monks met with Mrs. Mupeta, the others had the opportunity to “teach” several classes about America and answer student questions about our country and ourselves, including the commonly asked “How old are you?” We gave the school many supplies donated by members of the sangha, such as pencils, pens, crayons, paper, scissors, glue, etc. We could tell they were greatly appreciated and will be well-used.
Our next stop was the Living Compassion House where we saw the kids and met up with Thresa to discuss the potential of helping feed some of the children in Kantolomba where we had been on Sunday. We left her with many donated clothing items we brought from the United States to give to those very children.
Following an early group discussion and then dinner, we shared the short Living Compassion video introduction with the friars, who had shown great interest in learning more about organization. This was particularly fun in that there were several photos with Brother John featured. As a thank-you gift for their warm hospitality, we gave the friary a series of Cheri’s books to be put in their library to share. We also surprised them with a special treat of cookies and ice cream for dessert.
But our evening was by no means finished. We all knew that we would need to be awake and alert at 2:00 a.m. to appear as special guests on the radio show “Open Air with Cheri Huber.” We decided individually how that might work best for us: Some of us rested while others stayed up, using the time to work on the web trip updates. At 1:50, the call came from the United States and we huddled around the speaker phone to hear Cheri’s and Michael’s voices and to share about our experiences. Everyone participated in the call and it was fun to to talk with Cheri from so far away.
3:00 a.m. was bedtime for everyone.