June 29, 2011
The Living Compassion team of two arrived in Ndola and was met with warm smiles and hugs from Theresa, Veronica, and Muyunda. As we walked out of the baggage claim, we were greeted with, “Welcome home! Welcome home!”
The team arriving “home” to Ndola
Theresa, Jen, and Rebecca catching up while loading luggage
We arrived in the early afternoon so there was plenty of time get settled into our rooms at Castle Lodge then head out for some essentials. One of the goals for the trip is to have skirts, shirts, and meditation pants made by the Living Compassion sewing team (yes, we have heard your call for chitenge product!). So we went first to the chitenge shop and picked up about a dozen pieces of various colors and patterns. Then it was off to the grocery store for basic supplies. The city is unusually crowded this week because of the big Trade Show that Ndola hosts once a year. People from all over Africa come to display their goods and services -- everything from textiles to medical equipment. We are considering braving the crowds and attending the show later in the week after Eunice, our friend at Castle Lodge, reminded us of all the chitenge they will have on display. But today, we have enough to get started!
Beautiful courtyard at Castle Lodge
Muyunda at Castle Lodge
Sleeping with the mosquito netting over the bed feels a little like camping out with your own little tent!
Jen and Theresa at the chitenge store
While driving out to the Living Compassion property we spot an old friend working on road construction. Theresa (our driver for this trip) pulls over and Jen jumps out to greet Gaudencia. You blog buffs will remember Gaudencia as the contractor for the main Living Compassion building in Kantolomba. There are lots of road repairs taking place all over Ndola. She is currently working on a government project to fix several local roads.
We arrive at the compound to the sound of cheering children and singing voices. Those smiling faces never fail to inspire joy and love, and there is nothing like a newcomer to add enthusiasm to the welcome (this is Rebecca’s first trip)! Introductions are made and hugs and handshakes are shared.
Jen and Gaudencia
Smiling faces greet us!
Jen gets re-acquainted with a friend
We couldn’t resist that smile!
The rest of the day was spent checking in with the team about various projects and preparing for a big workday coming up on Saturday!
Beatrice teaches this little guy his numbers.
Another class works on math while waiting for lunch to be prepared.
This takes some serious upper-body strength! Rebecca takes a turn at stirring the nchima.
Christine begins to set out the plates for lunch. Living Compassion is feeding 650 children a day!
It’s an impressive operation to watch in action….all those children getting fed a hot meal.
The children enjoying their lunch.
Teenagers having lunch.
This little one is taking some lunch home to share
Here are some of the men on the Living Compassion Team cleaning up after their lunch.
Enjoying a rest under some trees on a beautiful Zambian (winter!) day
While we were in a meeting we noticed the women taking it upon themselves to wash the car!
Another group of children come for lunch after their school dismisses for the day.
Before our next meeting we stop by the Tuck Shop to say hello to our friend, Priska.
Martha (our accountant) and Veronica review the financial data with Jen.
Martha and Jen discussing the finance tracking project. For the last two months everyone in the cooperative has been keeping track of their household income and expense partly to chart the charcoal savings with the use of their new pulumusa stoves and partly just to see if we can see any important economic patterns that might help inform ideas for further projects—ways to assist people to make the best use of their income.
Jen and Rebecca show the new chitenge to the sewing team.
A special treat for the team….new sewing scissors! Okay, maybe you have to be a seamstress/tailor to fully appreciate how exciting that is.
Jen and Nellie look over the pattern for new Pant-olombas!
Nellie measures the length for our new Skirt-olombas. Also coming soon…Shirt- olombas!
As we got ready to leave for the day, we had to say good-bye to these adorable twins. They weren’t in a smiling mood until….
A little coaxing from Theresa brought out the smiles!
Everything about this place exudes a warm welcome to all.
Back at the lodge we hopped on line to find out the latest stats on the participation game. Over 1,700 points earned, $18,000 pledged and 42 people have made pledges! Yea! In order to get those 500 bonus points we need 108 of you to make a pledge by Tuesday! Jump in and play—a pledge of any size counts. Together we can do it!!