On our drive to the Living Compassion compound this first full day of our trip, we saw evidence of new public works begun by Zambia’s newly elected president, Michael Sata. Drainage ditches have been dug and even roads on the way to Kantolomba are being paved! New local officials have been appointed and Theresa has been promised that 3-phase electricity is on its way to Kantolomba. (Not having 3-phase electricity is what has prevented us from having a hammermill--the machine that grinds corn into the meal that is the staple diet in Zambia.)
Here at Lubuto High School we see the type of roads we are accustomed to – mostly dirt.
This road is nicely leveled and (we think) soon to be paved.
There’s no way not to notice and be grateful for the road construction. This road used to be dirt!
Even fancy drainage construction is happening.
The drive to the property takes us down paved city roads, which turn into dirt roads once we get outside Ndola and enter Kantolomba. After passing some bars with music blaring, tiny shacks selling vegetables and charcoal, and a steady stream of people of all ages, we turn off the main dirt road and travel another ¼ mile before we catch the first glimpse of the Living Compassion property. It is always heart-opening to see the large “Living Compassion” sign ahead flanked by lovely trees with adorable children sprinkled here and there as they walk around the property.
The view of the property from the road – always inspiring to see!
Our welcome committee: Patrick (left), Phillip (right), and a third little cutie!
This handsome young man just came from school.
These little guys had just finished their lunch when we arrived.
The girls are out playing after lunch.
This is Anson. He’s 14 years old and wants to be a teacher when he grows up. His English is very good, and he helped translate for us when talking with the other children.
We thought it would be fun to do a tour of the many happenings of Living Compassion – Kantolomba. On any given day you will find….
- Food preparation for 800 (!) children–
Whether it’s washing dishes, stirring nchima, or sorting the beans for tomorrow’s meal, the Living Compassion cooks are faithfully keeping children fed. Not only do they feed the kids, they also track in a daily log who has eaten that day. Because of the women on the team, each child we feed is known, recognized, and acknowledged every day.
The women wash A LOT of dishes every day.
Here are some of the children we talked with after lunch.
Christine is sorting through beans for tomorrow’s meal.
Audria (newest member of the cooperative) and Mabel, both of the Cooking Team, harvest greens from the garden.
Here is part of the bountiful garden the team has planted.
The ladies take a break from dishwashing to look at some pictures Theresa gave them.
We found the teenagers eating in the room off the main room. Even in Kantolomba teenagers like to have “their own space.”
This funny guy is Bowas. He’s 17 years old and in grade 8.
When we asked him his name, he joked, “My name is Nelson Mandela.”
Meet Mary Shula. She is 13 and in the 8th grade.
She wants to be a teacher when she grows up and her English is very good!
Veronica, Ethel, Charles, and Susan are sorting and recording all 800 children by grade level for organization purposes.
- Cleaning the property –
The cleaning team makes sure the property is cleaned regularly. They not only clean the buildings, they also make sure the grounds are kept clean of trash and debris. Theresa tells us Living Compassion has a reputation for being the cleanest, neatest NGO in the area. The cleaning crew is a big reason why.
The women are cleaning the floor of the big classroom.
Brenda gets a drink of water from the sink.
The cleaning team sweeps the water out the door, onto the porch, and into the yard. No water wasted here!
- Rose’s Projects –
Our nurse, Rose, has organized a group of teen and pre-teen girls and is teaching them sewing, English, and other valuable skills. This afternoon we found several of them under a tree working on their floor mats that they make out of colored yarn and nchima sacks.
Memory is doing a beautiful job on her sewing. She is 13 years old and in grade 4.
Judith is 8 and in 2nd grade.
Working in the shade together – Memory, Sarah, Judith.
- Construction of Pulumosa Stoves –
The men of the cooperative are building a budding business of Pulumosa Stove production. They take metal oil drums and cut, shape, and pound them into coal-burning stoves that are cleaner and more efficient than the widely used model of stove. They not only are building stoves but also a reputation for Kantolomba as a place of quality and innovation!
At the far end of the property, Peter and Lingson cut and shape the metal for the stoves.
Pascal is pounding a piece flat with a hammer. He managed to look at the camera while hammering without even banging his fingers!
- Sewing Projects –
Usually we have a team of women working on shirts, skirts, pantolombas, or handbags. Unfortunately, Nelly has been ill lately, so the sewing projects have slowed down. However, in addition to her other duties as a teacher, Georgina is working on a project we are considering undertaking.
Jen describes to Georgina the sewing project. Using this little bag as a model, can you duplicate it?
Georgina gives it a go!
- Children Playing –
From morning to mid-afternoon there are hundreds of children at the property eating and playing and talking with friends. Around 3 or 4pm, after most have gone home, the sons and daughters of the cooperative members and nearby neighbors play games together. The yard of the compound has a homey, neighborhood feel as we hear children playing “chase” or soccer or any number of other games.
Memory, Judith, Sarah, and Karen line up for a little dancing game while Phillip looks on.
Phillip and Patrick are a lively pair!
These two guys love the camera.
Quite a first day!
Later that evening, we greet Donna, the other member of our team who arrived today.
Theresa welcomes Donna to Ndola.