Off we go on another African adventure!
Dave and Alex at San Francisco International Airport
As usual, we have an action-packed trip planned. Here are some of the things we hope to accomplish during this one-week trip to Zambia:
To set the stage for doubling our feeding program. Currently we are feeding over four hundred children each day. In the next months we plan to expand gradually, reaching deeper into Kantolomba Compound to assist more of the most vulnerable children, until we are feeding eight hundred or more. This is the number that seems possible given our resources and the number of staff we employ.
To take the next steps towards setting up a "hammermill," a machine that grinds corn into meal, on the co-op property. Right now the farmers in the area are required to carry their corn long distances to get it ground. We hope that a local hammermill will save them this effort and expense, and at the same time take our project a giant step towards sustainability and financial independence.
To find a way to bring internet into Kantolomba. So far the technological and geographical obstacles have been insurmountable, but we hope that some of the newer technologies that are arriving in Africa will give us a way to bring opportunities to the people in the community through the World Wide Web that would not be available otherwise. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have virtual classrooms that would unite students in Kantolomba with teachers in other places? Imagine being able to bring together people struggling with health difficulties and the doctors and nurses that we know! The possibilities are nearly endless.
And then there are the many details to attend to and the decisions to be made. For example, why are the toilets leaking? Shall we hire another security guard? Do we need to create uniforms for the children and staff? Are there trained nurses in the area who might like to assist in getting the health clinic up and running? How shall we create desks and benches for the children? It is good to have many compelling things to do.
We left the Monastery on Tuesday morning, and boarded the plane for Africa late that same afternoon. Upon arriving in Johannesburg, South Africa, we spent some time tracking down a woman named Elbie Hartmann. For those of you who followed the last blog, which described Theresa Kapenda's adventures as she made her way to the United States, you know that Theresa lost her passport early in the trip. Elbie was the South African Airways employee and great hero who found Theresa in the airport and got her safely back to Ndola. We wanted to express our gratitude to her by presenting her with a gift -- a Living Compassion Inner Peace, World Peace fleece. She was touched and said that we made her day. Gratitude is contagious!
Elbie
After passing through security, we realized suddenly that it was Thanksgiving Day. Without further delay we hurried to our favorite airport cafe for some lunch.
Waiting for Thanksgiving omelets
When we finally arrived in Ndola, Theresa (the coordinator of our projects in Zambia) and Muyenda (our good friend and taxi driver) met us at the airport later. It was so good to see them again! The last time we were with Theresa was in America. How wonderful it was to see her again so soon in this place that we think of as our second home!
Loading up the car
Catching up on our drive to town
Already familiar faces are showing up. At Shop Rite, the local supermarket, Dave recognizes Martin, a taxi driver and another special friend.
Dave and Martin
Grocery shopping
Loaded up with food for the next few days, we headed off to Castle Lodge, the excellent guest house where we will be staying during our trip.
Our excellent host Eunice and friend Sanjay
Unloading in one of the rooms
We are so eager to get started!