Zambian Immersion Journey: Weekend
Zambian Immersion Journey: Weekend
And so we come to the middle stage of our immersion journey in Africa. We have seen and worked in all of the immersion projects and met the leaders here in Zambia. The weekend doesn't have too much physical work but certainly has challenges and rewards in abundance. Yesterday Joe and Paddy went to the Home of Hope to continue with the construction of the play area for the boys there but no power (again) = no metal cutting possible = play football with the boys! Our guys (and girls) got the chance of a lie in (to 9 o'clock) and a bit of 'easy time'. The afternoon was brilliant! A trip with all 60 boys from the Home of Hope to a small animal park and an open air swimming pool. The kids at the Home of Hope were so excited and our buses rolled out to the sound of drumming, singing and sheer joy! Sometimes we do take so much for granted in the West and fail to appreciate how basic experiences mean so much to those who have so little. One of the wee boys from the Home of Hope told us that he was so excited because the only animals he had seen were cats, dogs, chickens and rats. To have our guys walking around a tiny zoo holding the hands of these boys and swimming in the same pool as these most vulnerable of children does really make these boys feel valued in a world in which they have suffered so much rejection. Great day and great memories.
Today we went to mass (2 hours with lots of singing) and then went with the Tembo family to the grave of Peter Tembo who died tragically last year. It was very emotional for all of us who came to know Peter Tembo as a dear friend and especially for Joe who is godfather to one of Peter's grandchildren. It was a beautiful short ceremony with blessings, music provided by the St Dominic's girls, readings and a reflection about the great inspirational man from Africa who has touched so many lives both in Zambia and Ireland. May God be good to this man who led his community with such vision and energy.
We then went to the orphanage where we were greeted Angela Miyanda's husband (the former Deputy President of Zambia) as we awaited Angela and the 55 children return from church. Games followed and then off to the market to buy presents and gifts for family members, friends and those who supported their fundraising efforts throughout the past months.
We will now enter our final phase of this journey during which we start to prepare to go back to our own homes and families. Friendships have been established among the members of our school groups and with the people here in the margins. All of us can be so proud of our young people who have brought so much joy and, indeed, hope to the former street children in the Home of Hope, to the orphans in Kabwata, to those in the slum of Misisi and to everyone whom they have encountered here in their new daily lives in the margins.
God bless
Aidan