Sunday came as a welcome opportunity to catch up on blog writing. Before diving in, I set off for the local cricket field to take advantage of the cool morning and get some exercise. On my walk back I greeted an adorable group of five children, the oldest probably 9 years old. They were impeccably clean and well-dressed, obviously headed to church, but with no adults accompanying them. The oldest boy was taking care that the others were walking safely across the streets and staying with the pack. I found myself wondering if they still had parents.
I spent the next couple of hours writing blogs. Later I lay out the stash of chitenge bags, placemats, and other products (to sell through Keep It Simple) to assess how much more can fit into my suitcases. It is on the agenda this coming week to teach our Zambian colleagues how to send batches of these products to us in the U.S. It is, of course, far cheaper to bring them home in our suitcases. It is an art exhibit to see these beautiful crafts laid out in one place.
At 1:30 p.m., Gershom arrived so we could leave for our afternoon adventures. Agness, our favorite Guest House employee and daughter of Gershom, came with him and brought her two children, Karen (7) and Roland (5). Agness was there the day before when Theresa and I were sorting through the backpacks donated at the Bridge Walk, now destined for our school in Kantolomba. We had more than we needed for the children so we gave two to Agness for her children. You would have thought we had given her a new car—she was so excited to take them home to show the children. Whoever out there donated the backpack with a soft, fuzzy turtle on the front, and the one in the shape of a car, know that you have made an entire family very happy! Angess told us that Karen and Roland nearly knocked her over with excitement when she arrived home with the bags.
Agness and family
We dropped Agness and the children at the center of town where they were going to catch a taxi to go visit relatives, and continued on to Kantolomba. We had to go to the RDC office to drop off the four buckets we had bought at the market to be used to measure trash amounts at the four garbage drop-off points. People will be given 100 kwacha (about 3 cents) for every bucket (picture an old-fashioned metal washing tub) full of garbage collected. While we were in Kantolomba, we went to see the young man who is working on a prototype for a copper bracelet that we would like to carry through Keep It Simple. While we were standing in his yard talking, a drunk man came up and asked if I would take his picture. I told him quietly (I thought) that as soon as he was not drinking I would take his picture. Several people around us apparently overheard and found it very funny. They all laughed, looking at the man as if he had been caught. It is impossible for us to know the cultural nuances of what is happening in an interaction like that, but if there was any message devaluing drinking it was okay with me.
The RDC Chairman and assistant
When we finished there Theresa and I proceeded to the Living Compassion house to see the children. We had told them we wanted to gather on Sunday afternoon for a family meeting. When we arrived they were clustered in the front yard, busy making the chitenge scraps we had brought them from Martin into a small rug. These rugs are a common item in Zambia, and we find them quite beautiful. We told the girls that if they would like to make them, we would see if we could find a market for the rugs in the U.S. They would make fabulous welcome mats, bathroom rugs, or area rugs for any small space. Let us know if you would be a potential buyer.
Kaleshi sharpening the needle used to thread the chitenge.
 Yeta and Stippo reading letters sent with donated items from the Bridge Walk. |
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We played a bit of Frisbee and then headed inside for a meeting. Theresa had asked that we call the meeting so that the children hear directly from me that we are not planning to buy them cell phones, video games, and other such items. She said that if she told them they might think she is just being stingy with the money from Living Compassion. It was a great discussion and with a chance for us to explain to the children that our commitment is to afford them every opportunity to succeed and do what they wish with their lives, but not to provide a “rich” lifestyle. As a monk with no income it is easy for me to talk with the children about this, as it is what my life is about exactly: I have everything I could ever want, and I do not live extravagantly. If they grow up to earn a great deal of money and be rich, great! I teased them that they could then give some money to me.
We made the connection also that if we were to spend money on luxuries for the house, less money would go to the children in Kantolomba. They understood. Less than two years ago they were in the same situation—not enough food, poor or no schooling, no healthcare, no future. I told them Living Compassion would be thrilled to hire them as they grow up and become doctors, teachers, builders, engineers. They could be in a position to give back should they choose to do so. They all said they would like to volunteer in the Kantolomba project now. We will look into ways to make that happen.
After leaving the house we took Theresa home, and I had the pleasure of meeting Simon, Theresa’s “gentleman friend.” He is a kind person with a gentle manner. As we sat in the house, I found out that the furniture in the living room, that I had assumed belonged to the rented house, actually belongs to Theresa, much of it a gift from Simon.
Theresa and Simon.
I arrived home to the Guest House to the delicious aroma of Douglas’s baking. I prepared my usual dinner of freezer and canned fare but got to have fresh cake Douglas had made for dessert. He talked again about his desire to start a business, and I could tell he was quite serious. I explained that he should write up a proposal stating what he wants to do, why and how, and what he will need to do it. The look on his face told me he would make that proposal top priority.
I headed to my room for a bit of blogging before bed.