We began our day's efforts with a few errands. For our first stop, we met with Theresa at the bank. After attending to our financial needs, we headed down the road to pick up a universal power strip to use at Castle Lodge.
Walking through downtown Ndola
"That one!"
Next up was a visit to Milan imports to pick out some chitenge. For all you veteran blog readers we figure this photo of us looking up at all of our chitenge choices is a must--just wouldn't be a blog without it!
"I like number 42"
After loading up on chitenge, it was time to head out to Kantolomba. Our first mission, naturally, was to visit with all of the wonderful children!
Some students enjoying lunch
Jen and Justin chat about today's menu
Jen and Jen
Having assured ourselves that the kids are still astoundingly cute, we had a look at the compressed earth blocks the team made during the last trip. They cured nicely and remained solid even after sitting in a basin of water for a full week. We're hopeful that this could be a better building material for houses in Kantolomba.
Investigating the blocks
Our next step was to "help" the guys take care of a bit of yardwork.
While we were taking care of the lawn, Friday arrived to help us sort out a few issues with the water tanks.
Taking a look at the leak
Looking in on the floating sensor
Once we had a handle on what was needed for the tanks, we went inside to meet with the cooking team about expanding the food program. There was great enthusiasm for bringing more children into the program. Their willingness to take this on is hugely inspiring to us. Jen would ask them, Can you add 50 children with the existing staff, pots, stoves, etc.? Yes! How about 100? Yes! 200? Yes! We can do it! The children need to eat! So, clearly the answer is they are ready and so are we. The team is going to register the next 50 children over the weekend to enroll early next week. Very exciting!
Meeting with the team
Jen and Deborah listen while a team member speaks
After the meeting it was time for lunch. Lunch was followed by a meeting with Lingson, a local tinsmith and husband of Eugenia, about the stove project. When we asked him if he would be interested in joining the cooperative, a broad smile crept across his face until he was completely lit up and replied, "Yes, I am interested." His English is quite good--a real bonus for all of us.
Lingson looking over the two sizes of Pulumusa
Discussing the vision for the stove project
Satisfied that Lingson was on board, we brought together the whole co-op to discuss moving forward with the stove project.
Brian explaining the vision for the project
All of the guys were eager to work on the stoves
Once the stove meeting came to an end, the whole team moved into the building for a health seminar with our nurse, Rose. The topics of the day were breast, cervix, and prostate cancer. Rose addressed the need for regular health screenings, as well as putting to rest a number of myths about the causes and treatment of cancer.
Rose answers a question from the class
Scenes around the compound:
Testimony, from team Georgina! (Testimony was a tiny baby when we first met Georgina, and she now has two younger siblings: Baby Dave (2) and Gloria (6 months).
The tuck shop attendant looks a bit different today
A lovely patch of Zambian sky