Zambia Immersion Journey: Day 1-3
Over the next few weeks, we have volunteers in Zambia. Here are the first few updates from Aidan. We are hoping to have a PZ blog up and running very, very soon so we are kept well up-to-date. With photos. But for now here you go.
Zambian immersion journey: Day 1
So today our journey into the margins begun for real. The flights were behind us and we had settled into the hostel last night. Everything had happened precisely according to plan. On arrival at the airport we were met by some airport staff I know who ushered us through the queues as Zambian residents and were met in the arrivals hall by transport organised by Carol (owner of the hostel). Dorms allocated, mosquito nets checked, food got and an evening reflection about what has called us to Zambia followed by an early night. Joe gave the call at 7.30 and it was time for a shower and breakfast. Then off to the immersion sites to meet and be greeted once again by friends of St Mary's, St Dominic's and Project Zambia.
First stop was Kabwata Orphanage where we met the youngest child - a boy of two months of age from Brundi. The Orphanage is an oasis where (currently) 55 children are wonderfully cared for. Then to the Home of Hope (street children project) where 53 former street children - the most vulnerable young boys you can think of - have a safe and secure home and a future. Finally into Misisi slum - a place that no amount of talks can prepare you for. Mr Linden pointed out the silence that descended on the group as it entered the slum and witnessed first-hand the conditions that so many countless millions of people are forced to endure in the 21st Century. And then the joy and amazement when they saw the St Catherine's Centre right in the Misisi which gives the children of Misisi an opportunity to move forward through the only factor that defeats poverty - education. It was also a very emotional day for Joe and myself as we met Peter Tembo's widow, Catherine, and daughter, Ruth, for the first time since the inspirational leader of this community died tragically last October.
Tomorrow will see our guys painting, digging, clearing and playing with the children in the various immersion sites. Parents and teachers should be so proud of our young people who have thrown themselves so enthusiastically into this new world and nothing is a problem to them. They will also come back much fitter. Apparently we walked 11.6 miles in the African sun today!
Zambian Immersion Journey: Days 2 and 3
Greetings again from Zambia. The past two days have been full of fantastic experiences for the group. We have the usual small 'disturbances' in our normal Western routine but the guys and girls just get on with it. No internet access in hostel at present (should be sorted out sometime soon we are told) but no one here is suffering from Facebook withdrawal symptoms. Electricity cuts are on-going and this morning we got up to no electricity which also impacts on the water supply so it was a case of no showers or toast. But that adds to the adventure.
The students (and staff) have been absolutely wonderful and no challenge is too great. The early 4 mile walk to the immersion sites is a pleasure in itself as our young people engage in conversation about their feelings and experiences as the walk along now entirely non-conscious of the fact that the only other 'mazungu' (white person) they will meet that day will be Brother Jacek in the Home of Hope. Race, faith background, etc. doesn't matter one bit to this group from St Mary's and St Dominic's. The only race they recognise is the human race - and especially those in need. That is what has brought them to Africa. All of us - parents, other family members, staffs of both schools and friends - should be proud of these young people. The return walk back from the immersion sites is a mixture of laughter, chatter, recalling the high-points of the day and some deeper conversations about the sheer unjust world we live in and which they witness at first-hand. Back in the hostel these conversations continue until Mr Linden and Joe McBurney call time for bed and prepare for another wonderful day in Africa.
We are currently in two immersion sites: the Home of Hope (street children project) in the St Lawrence Centre and St Catherine's School in Misisi slum. Much play and laughter in both places as the 'visitors from Ireland' interact with the Zambian children. Painting has commenced in both sites today and building work as well. Mr Linden is leading the project in the Home of Hope to construct a play area of decking for the street children while Joe has a group from both schools renovation and refurnishing the staff room in St Catherine's. We also have started to clear the ground tfor the building of a school hall. Tomorrow we meet with Angela Miyanda who will by explaining to us how we propose to move forward on a new and challenging project. It will involve a group of families (13 in total) who have been moved around 25 kilometres out of the city into the bush. The adults are blind and they have to support their orphaned grandchildren. Their sole crime was that they might upset rich tourists and business people if they are seen begging. They agreed to move from the city as they were promised water, land, houses etc. No surprise that there were no houses, water etc. Our vision is to work with the local community leaders in the village to bring what had been promised by others to these victims of poverty.
God bless
Aidan