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Sunday, August 27, 2006
I'm Back Home
I'm happy to announce that I've arrived home safely about a week ago. Our group flew into London on our way home the SAME DAY that all the terrorist attacks were planned to take place on flights to the US. To make a long story short, I stayed in Europe for a week and was able to fly out of Paris. On my return home, I got sick once again. A virus and bacteria - my doctor told me. Antibiotics cleared it up, and I am feeling much better. During the next few days after my return, I experienced a whirlwind of emotions. I hadn't taken much time in Europe to process all of my experiences in Africa, so when I got home, it hit me hard. Now I feel compelled to continue blogging and journaling. I think there is much much more that I have to share (little by little) that I didn't have time to share in my previous blogs.
Looking at the pictures I took of the children at Kondwa, I can't help but feel a special connection to them. My service work there is just the beginning of something greater. I am currently working on a project that I committed myself to while doing service at Kondwa. When speaking to the director, listening to her share her heart and dreams for the children there, I found myself dreaming the same dream for them...the same vision. What I envision is seeing the children at Kondwa not only receiving proper nutrition, education, and good medical attention, but continual support after leaving the orphanage as well. See, the Kondwa orphanage is for children ages 3 to 8. At age 8, the children then go on to grade school (or, at least that's what we hope and desire for them). The education is free there, but the huge problem is that uniforms are required and many cannot even afford food, much less a school uniform. So what happens to these kids? Well, I saw it with my own eyes. They wander around the community aimlessly, hungry, some selling eggs or fruit to make a little money, some even selling themselves (prostitution). These are children! They should be given choices, given hope. They need to be educated. I want to commit myself to doing just that for the children in that community that I worked in. Ya know, the truth is - I want to help the world. But reality is I cannot. So I'm going to start with what I can do. I will start with a group of 100 children in that community (Ng'ombe) in that city (Lusaka) in that country (Zambia) on that continent (Africa). I want to see the children, who are currently there playing with smiles on their faces, continue their education and have something to smile about in the future. The future looks bleak to them right now, as they see their older siblings envy them because they were able to eat at Kondwa. They've seen their parents dies. Can you imagine?! After leaving Kondwa at age 8, many of them will be hungry and not in school. So it is my dream that these children will continue their education after age 8. In addition, they need to be fed as well. Without food, a child cannot focus and comprehend what it is they are being taught. Some of these children are HIV+, but they all deserve medical attention. So in the next few months I have a big task and a lot of research to continue. I will be in contact with the Board of Directors of Kondwa in which I will be researching costs, needs, expenditures, business and legal aspects of running a non-profit, the list goes on and on. I am starting from scratch. I hope to set up this program in the form of a sponsorship in which I will acquire individual sponsors to sponsor a child or two (or three or four). I would also like to set up a method of correspondence between the children and their sponsors. So this is my vision and the work I am committing myself to completing. I hope and pray that there are many out there (maybe some who read this blog) who feel compelled to sponsor a child through this program and bring a brighter future to these angels. I am encouraged to know that there are a handful of people who have already committed themselves to being sponsors. They dream the same dream. Do you? posted by Laurie Holland @ Sunday, August 27, 2006 0 comments links to this post
Sunday, August 06, 2006
Safari
Wow! I'm really glad that I decided last-minute to book the safari and go with my group. It was incredible!! I didn't want to leave. It was a safari situated on the Zambezi River in the Lower Zambezi area of Zambia. It was such a nice change of pace and scenery....and much needed. I didn't realize how much my body needed rest. The safari was so amazing. We stayed in large tents with beds, mosquito nets, and built-in showers/toilets right behind our tent overlooking the water. I fished, went boating, went on game drives, even went canoeing. Now the canoeing was quite an experience, particularly because you're in a tiny tippy canoe close to the water and canoeing past hippos, crocodiles, elephants...and you never know if the animals will charge. It wasn't so bad at first until we had to go down this narrow, windy channel....too many wild animals too close. But I made it safely after 4 hours of hot sun and paddling. I actually even tried it again the next day. That canoe trip was much more enjoyable. Man, the service there was spectular. We ate like kings. Always excellent 3-course meals, wine, drinks, coffee, tea...they even did our laundry. Such a change from Lusaka in which we've only been served toast every morning for breakfast and blistered ourselves handwashing all of our laundry. The sunrises and sunsets were amazing! Wish I would've caught some fish, but no luck. I would definitely return to that particular safari again, though. The staff and guides were so great. The last day we experienced a very close encounter with an elephant. While eating lunch, an elephant came walking through the camp and literally right up to the lodge where we were eating. It was a bit unpredictable. I got some great shots standing only about 20 feet away from it. We all got a bit scared, though, when it looked as though it was going to charge us. Crazy! It was great, though. Nothing like being so close to wild animals and nature. Babboons were everywhere jumping on the trees and climbing on our tents. I really enjoyed it. We saw some lions and cubs while on the game drive. We also saw lots and lots of impalas, water buffalo, elephants and crocodiles of course, and many other exotic looking birds. It was wonderful! I'd love to return.
So now back to reality. Back to Lusaka. I am now sick. I was hoping so badly I wouldn't get sick. I have congestions, runny nose, sniffling, sneezing, sore throat, body chills and hot flashes. It really sucks, actually. I now have the same symptoms that many students were experiecing a couple weeks ago. I just started taking antibiotics today, so I'm really hoping it kicks in quickly. There's nothing like feeling miserable when you're not at home. Well, that's all for now, as I'd like to chill and get some rest. Talk to you all soon. posted by Laurie Holland @ Sunday, August 06, 2006 6 comments links to this post
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Alfred's Home Visit / Childrens' Rights Workshop
Yesterday was a good day at the orphanage. An UNZA student (Salome) and I visited Alfred's mother's house. Joe, his brother, was there when we got there. We talked a bit with the mom and found out that Joe and Alfred's father died in 2002. She then had a child named Elijah with a man who ended up leaving her. She said that Alfred and Joe usually stay with their grandma, though, because they don't like to stay with the mom. My personal opinion is that she doesn't pay much attention to them. The grandma is very sick, though, with TB. We went to visit her next. She sat bent over and said she has had severe stomach pains and a bad headache for 3 days now. She actually has a child, also, that is younger than Alfred (her grandson - age 5; her child is 18 mos). She's got 7 kids and 4 grandkids. All of these other young children are not in school because the grandma cannot afford uniforms for them. Even if she could, the nearest school is not enrolling any more children because it is too full. So these young children sit at home all day starving. Can you imagine??!! Before we left, the grandma requested money for medication for her stomach pain. It only costed about 50 cents. I have her money to get medication and for food for the children.
When we returned to Kondwa, the orphanage, I had a great talk with the Director. She was telling me that Kondwa started in September of 2000. After she had always dreamed of opening an orphanage, a nun helped her with the funds to get started. She began feeding 10 children. They then decided to incorporate learning and education. Kondwa now feeds and educates nearly 100 children, but the needs of Kondwa are great. The Director's next dream is to open a primary school, because the problem they are facing now is that kids leave Kondwa at age 8, but chances are they cannot afford to go to school and so are left home. The cycle of poverty perpetuates and continues. Not good. I think her idea is fabulous! She has such a great heart and continues to dream good things for the children. I want to help make her dreams come true, because to tell you the truth...I dream that for the kids, too. She already has 4 acres of land about 5 km from the orphanage. They also have a garden there. She'll be meeting with a developer/engineer to find out approximate costs. I want to see all of these children go somewhere!
Last night I bought a whole bunch of medical/first aid supplies for the orphanage. They need so much! It was quite expensive, but I really want them to have adequate supplies. Man, they really need a lot. Oh, the school bags that my friend, May, donated from the US was a hit! (Thanks, May!) The kids loved them. I put pencils, stickers, crayons, and some Starburst in there. The kids all had stickers stuck all over their faces by the end of the day. They loved those bags! They all held on to them like it was the only thing they cherished. They initially thought the Starburst were erasers, or what they call "rubbers". They're so cute!
Today we hired a professional drama team to perform a skit about children's rights for the kids and we invited all of the parents/guardians in the community to watch. The kids at the orphanage also put on a little skit. It was adorable. The professional group was great! They also did some AMAZING traditional African dancing and drumming. At the end, a few of the dancers drug me and my team (5 other students) out in the middle of a couple hundred people to shake our hips. Kondwa staff were out there dancing, too. I don't think all of the spectators ever saw a "muzungu" (white person) shake their hips like that. We all had a really great time!
Well, tomorrow I'm off to a 3-day safari. I really wasn't planning to go initially. It was a hard decision. Everyone on my team from San Jose planned to go, but I wanted to spend more time at the orphanage. I ended up booking it last-minute as well. We actually got a great deal on it - we were charged the local price, which is significantly lower than regular price. So I am looking forward to a few days of rest & relaxation. I haven't had any yet! Not one day to sleep in! I've really been getting exhausted. So it'll be a nice break - good time to process a bit, do some thinking, and enjoy God's beautiful creation - the animals and nature. Oh, and a hot shower would be great, too! Looking forward to it. Hope to write more after my return from safari. Hope you all are enjoying your week! posted by Laurie Holland @ Wednesday, August 02, 2006 2 comments links to this post
Monday, July 31, 2006
Alfred to Clinic / Funeral
Tonight I've got a pounding headache, but it's nothing in comparison to what a fellow UNZA student is experiencing tonight. This young lady greeted us when we arrived to Zambia, has been very kind, and is just nice to be around. She had never been to Victoria Falls before, so we San Jose students sponsored her. The Falls were beautiful by the way! On our 6-hour bus ride home last night she received a text message stating that her older brother had died. This young woman has already lost both parents. She was able to attend the University of Zambia only because her older brother worked to support her and her two younger siblings. She is now on her own to take care of herself and the two younger ones. How can I even fathom a loss so great?! All of the students just attended the funeral at her home. We hugged her, sat while the UNZA students sang beautiful, comforting songs, and then departed after saying our good-byes. Again, I was sitting there thinking that I know how painful it is to lose someone you love, but how could I ever fully understand her pain? Please keep her and her siblings in your prayers! They are much needed. Oh, and (as if it can't get worse) another student from UNZA found out yesterday on the bus ride home that his uncle just died. Keep him in your prayers, as well as yet another student who lost her grandmother last week.
Today my group brought Alfred, who I thought all this time was named Frederick, to the clinic. His older brother saw us in the community, so he joined hands with Alfred and walked with us there. I found out that Alfred's brother's name is Joe, and he is only 8 years old. He has already had to drop out of the first grade because he cannot afford to buy a uniform. Can you imagine? When we got there, there was already a long line of patients waiting to be seen. We had to pay 500 kwacha, which is less than 20 cents, to register him. After being seen, we were told that his finger was, in fact, infected. We paid an additional 2500 kwacha (less than one US dollar) for him to be seen. We were sent home with an antibiotic-type medication, as well as a painkiller. As I was waiting with Alfred in the clinic, I noticed that even though he is only 5 years old, his face and stature appear to be much older. Joe noticed that his brother's shoelaces were untied so bent down to make sure his little brother was taken care of, tucking in his laces nicely. Joe went without shoes. These kids endure so much and have no time to just be kids. It breaks my heart! I wish I could take Alfred and his brother home with me....maybe some day!
On a more positive note, I did have a good weekend, although it was long and tiring. Saturday morning we took the bus down to Livingstone and stayed at a great resort camp called "The Waterfront". We stayed in 2-man tents. Saturday evening we took a cruise on a riverboat for a few hours. We saw a crocodile in the water before departing shore. We also caught a glimpse of some elephants and hippos. I really enjoyed my time getting to know the UNZA students more. When we returned, there was a gazebo in the center of the camp that was playing music. So all of us had a great time dancing until they closed, which was 11PM. I was able to take a nice hot shower (my first yet in Zambia), but had to dodge the many mosquitos flying around everywhere. I didn't sleep all that well, though, as it was FREEZING!! Really! It was extremely cold. Yes, some countries in Africa can really get cold at night. The next day, we rose early to catch a glimpse of Victoria Falls before we had to be back in town to catch our bus going back at noon. I felt a bit rushed at the Falls, but I still enjoyed it. When we got into town, we found that the bus we were waiting for had broken down. We would have to wait 4 hours before the next bus would arrive. I just hung out with the students, sat on the curb, listened to music in my portable CD player, and enjoyed the beautiful day.
Back to my site today - the orphanage. It was a good day, a productive day, although I have so many more tasks to accomplish. I'd appreciate prayers to continue to keep me in good health. I need it; without it I cannot do what I need to do while I'm here. Thank you all! Have a wonderful week! posted by Laurie Holland @ Monday, July 31, 2006 0 comments links to this post
Friday, July 28, 2006
End of the Week
Today was emotionally painful. I took a look at little Frederick's finger again, and it was obviously very infected. Another UNZA student and I helped to clean him up. The orphanage lacks appropriate first aid supplies. His whole finger was like mush, and under his nail was rotting away. This poor little boy soaked his finger in some antiseptic and water and then endured excruciating pain of the growth under his nail being removed with a scissors. He did not even cry. He just winced in pain. I rubbed his back and fought back tears. After about a half hour of that, we put a bandage on him and he seemed to feel much better. For the next hour he sat on my lap, didn't say a word, observed other kids playing, and then kept looking at me, staring at me, but never a smile. I was able to put a smile on his face later, though, so that made my day!
What else? Man, there's so much to say. I did 3 more home visits today. Joseph lives with his grandma in a very small "house"; both of his parents died of AIDS. Every day is a struggle to survive. Joseph's grandma's only hope is that someone will sponsor Joseph and give him proper clothing and adequate food. Aleck lives with his mother. His father died. She washes others' laundry to make ends meet. Some days they do not eat. I visited Paul's home, but once again the mother was not there. He was left to play in the compounds with the four other children left outside to fend for themselves. These kids live a completely different life here. No words can begin to describe!
Tomorrow I'll be departing Lusaka (the capital - where I am staying) at 4:45AM...OUCH! I'm taking a bus with other students to Victoria Falls in Livingstone. It will be about a 5 hour drive. I'm looking forward to seeing such beautiful scenery. I will return on Sunday evening and then back to my site Monday morning. Hope you all have a safe and happy weekend! posted by Laurie Holland @ Friday, July 28, 2006 2 comments links to this post
Thursday, July 27, 2006
The Clinic / Staff Training Workshop
Hello All! I hope that you are all in good health. Unfortunately, many of my teammates here have been getting sick. I'm fortunate that I have not. It becomes much to endure all of the sand, dust, and dirt that flies around so badly when the wind blows. It's like walking through the desert in a windstorm sometimes. I get dirt in my eyes, ears, nose, and even mouth. As much as I try to get my socks clean (which, by the way, is done by washing by hand in a tub), they are never completely clean. I always feel dirty until I'm able to retreat back to my room in the evening. The days are long. But I'm so happy that I continue to be in good health, so that I can continue the work I've come to do. Each day is critical, because there is so much more to be done and to learn before I leave.
Yesterday, I visited the community clinic. It was an extremely windy day! I could literally shake sand out from my hat and shirt (endlessly it seemed) last night before my bath. Oh, sidenote - a shower is nearly impossible here. There is a showerhead-type device hooked to the faucet, but the temperature of the water changes from freezing cold to scolding hot in a matter of seconds and continues on back and forth like that always. It was a bit frustrating at first, so I now resort to just taking a bath and hope my hair will be as clean as I can get it. Okay, back to the clinic. As I approached the clinic, there were many women holding their child outside in the waiting area. My assumption was that there are many sick children due mainly to the cause of HIV infection. The facility did not have anything near what you see at a clinic in America. It did not appear to be a sterile environment, yet so many waited to be seen. The sad thing is, though, that many mothers who have sick children do not bring them to get tested for AIDS in fear of being stigmatized. As a result, the children suffer from their illness and eventually die. It's terrible! A few of us students met with a doctor there briefly and will be returning on Monday to get more details from him of what the main medical concerns are that they are facing, as well as presenting problems. I'll inform you later.
Today we had a meeting with the staff at the orphanage, which is called "Kondwa Center" by the way. They have a website: http://www.kondwa.org. We addressed many concerns that they have been encountering such as behavioral problems in the children, shortage of staff, not enough money, English language acquisition of the kids (they speak the local language of "Nyanga" sp?), etc. It was a great meeting. I think there are some tools that the teachers and staff can incorporate. However, there is still a HUGE problem with money. And then there are problems that just have no solutions: parents, if any, not being home when the child returns from school; child prostitution, as yound as 10 years old; violence in the streets; the list goes on and on. We've hired a professional drama team to come next week for a parents' workshop. You may be wondering why there are "parents" around if these children are orphaned....well, the majority have either one or both parents who have died of AIDS. If they do not have either parent living, they stay with a sibling or guardian. Well, we'll be hosting a program for them next week. The drama team will perform about children's rights, and we'll also address the issue of children not being tested for HIV, as well as a few other issues. It should be good. Other than the meeting, today was pretty low key. The children seemed so much more calm today for some reason. I held a little boy in my arms today for the longest time. His name is Frederick. I noticed that his ring finger on his right hand was severely swollen, looked injured (if not broken), and he communicated (it was translated for me) that it hurt and has been hurting for awhile. It remained bent. I couldn't do anything about it. There were no supplies to help him. I could only hold him and comfort him. This would NEVER happen in America. An injured person will always have access to proper medical attention in the States; they may receive a fat bill later, but they can still be seen. Not so here in Zambia. Oh, this little boy is so precious!
Ya know, I have to once again state that I am very thankful that I am in good health. There are so many things here that could cause me to be sick. I continue to show the children here love, give them hugs, hold their hands, despite that fact that they have runny noses, their clothing has not been changed, they smell badly, and they are dirty. I do so because I need to do so. They need love. They need hugs. And they need me to hold their hands. I look into their eyes and really just melt. And then I thank God greatly for allowing them to bless me so much! posted by Laurie Holland @ Thursday, July 27, 2006 1 comments links to this post
Monday, July 24, 2006
Home Visits Today
Hello All! Hope you all had a wonderful weekend! I was so tired on Saturday, but right before retreating to bed that night, I got a knock on my door from some members of my San Jose State group wanting to go out dancing again. I couldn't resist. We got there at midnight, and I danced my lil heart out til 4 in the morning. I had the greatest time! You can imagine how much attention of 10 white girls get going into a popular club. I don't know if everyone there, though, was more facsicnated that I had white skin, or that a white girl had rhythm....lol. One guy came up to me and said, "you dance like the white girl in that American movie".....Save the Last Dance. I laughed.
Okay, well today was another intense day at the orphanage. People in my group from America are getting sick because of all the adjustments. It wears our bodies out! Today after working with the kids on their studies, I followed 3 of the kids home to find out where they live and what the conditions are, as well as any other presenting problems I see. I was accompanied by 2 UNZA students that spoke the native language. Image walking through a maze of shanty concrete shed-looking homes, garbage everywhere, smoke and dust in the air, and a stench like feces and warm, stale beer. These children walk a long long way every day to get to the orphanage. The first "home" we visited in the compound (another name for "community" I guess) was that of Mwamba. He is 6 years old, and his parents died when he was very young. He now stays with his grandmother and some uncles, who are young men that greeted us but it was apparant that they had been drinking all day. The grandmother offered us a seat in the shade. Although Mwamba had very deviant behavior at school (the orphange), the grandmother said he is very good at home. At school he needs lots and lots of attention and gets in fights with those who take attention away from him. Hmmm....imagine why! They do not have running water in their homes. There is a community well, but they have to pay for the water and they have no money. It's crazy! The grandmother just wishes and prays that somebody will sponsor Mwamba when he gets into primary school. The education here is free, but they must pay for the uniform, shoes, books, and supplies. It only costs about $50 (US Dollars) to pay for their education for a whole year! Yet, it seems so unrealistic for them to acquire. It is sooo sad! I had to fight back tears so often this afternoon. These kids dress in whatever they can as well. Little Mailo was wearing very tattered clothing, as they all were, and I noticed his shoes were girls' shoes. That's the least of his concern. He's just happy he has some. Most kids run barefoot through the sand, rocks, and trash. After our visit with Mwamba's grandma, we walked probably another mile (or a little less) to Mailo's house. We were greeted by his step-father, who actually spoke English. He married Mailo's mother after his mom left his dad. Apparently, Mailo's real father is still living but very irresponsible. I could see the pain in Mailo's father's eyes (I think his name is Noah). He said he cannot find work and pities Mailo and his other children. He has 3 of this own and is now responsible for not only them and Mailo, but also his brother-in-law's son, as he passed away as well. He said that he feels somewhat responsible for their condition but he said he's really trying. Also, Mailo misbehaves at school so we asked him how his behavior is at home. He often is violent with the kids in the compound. I later learned from the UNZA students that Mailo may not be receiving enough attention from his mother because in Zambian culture the women try really hard to please their husband, even at the expense of their own children. So it was the UNZA students' assumption that his mother may be giving much more attention to her new husband's children than to Mailo.
The last home we visited was Paul's. But when we arrived, nobody was there. So he just resorted to playing with the kids outside. While walking up through the compound (up this path, then that, turn left, right, go straight, then left again....seriously like a maze!), I got many many stares (expected). They hardly ever see a white person pass through their "hood". The kids would always wave and giggle when I waved back. Or they'd greet me with the only English they know, which is "how are you?" that sounds like "haw ah u?" When I respond, they get all excited. It's great! The men greet me differently. They "break their necks" looking back at me, and holler things like, "marry me!" and many other things in their language that I do not know. The conditions these people live in is horrendous!! They have a common "outhouse" (image the smell when we walk by on a hot day), and they tie together flour sacks to a small tree or bush in which they hide behind for privacy when bathing. As I was walking through, I noticed many women out washing clothes in a tub of water. I also noticed that people tried to make a living any way they could. One woman was sitting outside her porch mending clothes. Another selling eggs. Another selling very used, very tattered shoes. I thought to myself, how is it that we are all of the human race, yet live such hugely drasticly different lives? We didn't ask where to be born, or to whom. What if I had been born into those conditions? Would anyone think of me? Would anyone care? It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it! Why is it that America is so filthy rich (for the most part) and there are so many places that are just so dirty that you wonder if you're going to get sick just walking through? America is blessed FAR FAR more than we know. I even had to wait a half hour just to use this computer! AND I have to pay for it. AND it's slow. Okay, enough complaining....I just wanted to give you a bit of info on my experience today and some thoughts that have run through my head.
Hope to see some comments from you guys when you are able to leave one.
Thanks! posted by Laurie Holland @ Monday, July 24, 2006 6 comments links to this post
Sunday, August 27, 2006
I'm Back Home
I'm happy to announce that I've arrived home safely about a week ago. Our group flew into London on our way home the SAME DAY that all the terrorist attacks were planned to take place on flights to the US. To make a long story short, I stayed in Europe for a week and was able to fly out of Paris. On my return home, I got sick once again. A virus and bacteria - my doctor told me. Antibiotics cleared it up, and I am feeling much better. During the next few days after my return, I experienced a whirlwind of emotions. I hadn't taken much time in Europe to process all of my experiences in Africa, so when I got home, it hit me hard. Now I feel compelled to continue blogging and journaling. I think there is much much more that I have to share (little by little) that I didn't have time to share in my previous blogs.
Looking at the pictures I took of the children at Kondwa, I can't help but feel a special connection to them. My service work there is just the beginning of something greater. I am currently working on a project that I committed myself to while doing service at Kondwa. When speaking to the director, listening to her share her heart and dreams for the children there, I found myself dreaming the same dream for them...the same vision. What I envision is seeing the children at Kondwa not only receiving proper nutrition, education, and good medical attention, but continual support after leaving the orphanage as well. See, the Kondwa orphanage is for children ages 3 to 8. At age 8, the children then go on to grade school (or, at least that's what we hope and desire for them). The education is free there, but the huge problem is that uniforms are required and many cannot even afford food, much less a school uniform. So what happens to these kids? Well, I saw it with my own eyes. They wander around the community aimlessly, hungry, some selling eggs or fruit to make a little money, some even selling themselves (prostitution). These are children! They should be given choices, given hope. They need to be educated. I want to commit myself to doing just that for the children in that community that I worked in. Ya know, the truth is - I want to help the world. But reality is I cannot. So I'm going to start with what I can do. I will start with a group of 100 children in that community (Ng'ombe) in that city (Lusaka) in that country (Zambia) on that continent (Africa). I want to see the children, who are currently there playing with smiles on their faces, continue their education and have something to smile about in the future. The future looks bleak to them right now, as they see their older siblings envy them because they were able to eat at Kondwa. They've seen their parents dies. Can you imagine?! After leaving Kondwa at age 8, many of them will be hungry and not in school. So it is my dream that these children will continue their education after age 8. In addition, they need to be fed as well. Without food, a child cannot focus and comprehend what it is they are being taught. Some of these children are HIV+, but they all deserve medical attention. So in the next few months I have a big task and a lot of research to continue. I will be in contact with the Board of Directors of Kondwa in which I will be researching costs, needs, expenditures, business and legal aspects of running a non-profit, the list goes on and on. I am starting from scratch. I hope to set up this program in the form of a sponsorship in which I will acquire individual sponsors to sponsor a child or two (or three or four). I would also like to set up a method of correspondence between the children and their sponsors. So this is my vision and the work I am committing myself to completing. I hope and pray that there are many out there (maybe some who read this blog) who feel compelled to sponsor a child through this program and bring a brighter future to these angels. I am encouraged to know that there are a handful of people who have already committed themselves to being sponsors. They dream the same dream. Do you? posted by Laurie Holland @ Sunday, August 27, 2006 0 comments links to this post
Sunday, August 06, 2006
Safari
Wow! I'm really glad that I decided last-minute to book the safari and go with my group. It was incredible!! I didn't want to leave. It was a safari situated on the Zambezi River in the Lower Zambezi area of Zambia. It was such a nice change of pace and scenery....and much needed. I didn't realize how much my body needed rest. The safari was so amazing. We stayed in large tents with beds, mosquito nets, and built-in showers/toilets right behind our tent overlooking the water. I fished, went boating, went on game drives, even went canoeing. Now the canoeing was quite an experience, particularly because you're in a tiny tippy canoe close to the water and canoeing past hippos, crocodiles, elephants...and you never know if the animals will charge. It wasn't so bad at first until we had to go down this narrow, windy channel....too many wild animals too close. But I made it safely after 4 hours of hot sun and paddling. I actually even tried it again the next day. That canoe trip was much more enjoyable. Man, the service there was spectular. We ate like kings. Always excellent 3-course meals, wine, drinks, coffee, tea...they even did our laundry. Such a change from Lusaka in which we've only been served toast every morning for breakfast and blistered ourselves handwashing all of our laundry. The sunrises and sunsets were amazing! Wish I would've caught some fish, but no luck. I would definitely return to that particular safari again, though. The staff and guides were so great. The last day we experienced a very close encounter with an elephant. While eating lunch, an elephant came walking through the camp and literally right up to the lodge where we were eating. It was a bit unpredictable. I got some great shots standing only about 20 feet away from it. We all got a bit scared, though, when it looked as though it was going to charge us. Crazy! It was great, though. Nothing like being so close to wild animals and nature. Babboons were everywhere jumping on the trees and climbing on our tents. I really enjoyed it. We saw some lions and cubs while on the game drive. We also saw lots and lots of impalas, water buffalo, elephants and crocodiles of course, and many other exotic looking birds. It was wonderful! I'd love to return.
So now back to reality. Back to Lusaka. I am now sick. I was hoping so badly I wouldn't get sick. I have congestions, runny nose, sniffling, sneezing, sore throat, body chills and hot flashes. It really sucks, actually. I now have the same symptoms that many students were experiecing a couple weeks ago. I just started taking antibiotics today, so I'm really hoping it kicks in quickly. There's nothing like feeling miserable when you're not at home. Well, that's all for now, as I'd like to chill and get some rest. Talk to you all soon. posted by Laurie Holland @ Sunday, August 06, 2006 6 comments links to this post
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Alfred's Home Visit / Childrens' Rights Workshop
Yesterday was a good day at the orphanage. An UNZA student (Salome) and I visited Alfred's mother's house. Joe, his brother, was there when we got there. We talked a bit with the mom and found out that Joe and Alfred's father died in 2002. She then had a child named Elijah with a man who ended up leaving her. She said that Alfred and Joe usually stay with their grandma, though, because they don't like to stay with the mom. My personal opinion is that she doesn't pay much attention to them. The grandma is very sick, though, with TB. We went to visit her next. She sat bent over and said she has had severe stomach pains and a bad headache for 3 days now. She actually has a child, also, that is younger than Alfred (her grandson - age 5; her child is 18 mos). She's got 7 kids and 4 grandkids. All of these other young children are not in school because the grandma cannot afford uniforms for them. Even if she could, the nearest school is not enrolling any more children because it is too full. So these young children sit at home all day starving. Can you imagine??!! Before we left, the grandma requested money for medication for her stomach pain. It only costed about 50 cents. I have her money to get medication and for food for the children.
When we returned to Kondwa, the orphanage, I had a great talk with the Director. She was telling me that Kondwa started in September of 2000. After she had always dreamed of opening an orphanage, a nun helped her with the funds to get started. She began feeding 10 children. They then decided to incorporate learning and education. Kondwa now feeds and educates nearly 100 children, but the needs of Kondwa are great. The Director's next dream is to open a primary school, because the problem they are facing now is that kids leave Kondwa at age 8, but chances are they cannot afford to go to school and so are left home. The cycle of poverty perpetuates and continues. Not good. I think her idea is fabulous! She has such a great heart and continues to dream good things for the children. I want to help make her dreams come true, because to tell you the truth...I dream that for the kids, too. She already has 4 acres of land about 5 km from the orphanage. They also have a garden there. She'll be meeting with a developer/engineer to find out approximate costs. I want to see all of these children go somewhere!
Last night I bought a whole bunch of medical/first aid supplies for the orphanage. They need so much! It was quite expensive, but I really want them to have adequate supplies. Man, they really need a lot. Oh, the school bags that my friend, May, donated from the US was a hit! (Thanks, May!) The kids loved them. I put pencils, stickers, crayons, and some Starburst in there. The kids all had stickers stuck all over their faces by the end of the day. They loved those bags! They all held on to them like it was the only thing they cherished. They initially thought the Starburst were erasers, or what they call "rubbers". They're so cute!
Today we hired a professional drama team to perform a skit about children's rights for the kids and we invited all of the parents/guardians in the community to watch. The kids at the orphanage also put on a little skit. It was adorable. The professional group was great! They also did some AMAZING traditional African dancing and drumming. At the end, a few of the dancers drug me and my team (5 other students) out in the middle of a couple hundred people to shake our hips. Kondwa staff were out there dancing, too. I don't think all of the spectators ever saw a "muzungu" (white person) shake their hips like that. We all had a really great time!
Well, tomorrow I'm off to a 3-day safari. I really wasn't planning to go initially. It was a hard decision. Everyone on my team from San Jose planned to go, but I wanted to spend more time at the orphanage. I ended up booking it last-minute as well. We actually got a great deal on it - we were charged the local price, which is significantly lower than regular price. So I am looking forward to a few days of rest & relaxation. I haven't had any yet! Not one day to sleep in! I've really been getting exhausted. So it'll be a nice break - good time to process a bit, do some thinking, and enjoy God's beautiful creation - the animals and nature. Oh, and a hot shower would be great, too! Looking forward to it. Hope to write more after my return from safari. Hope you all are enjoying your week! posted by Laurie Holland @ Wednesday, August 02, 2006 2 comments links to this post
Monday, July 31, 2006
Alfred to Clinic / Funeral
Tonight I've got a pounding headache, but it's nothing in comparison to what a fellow UNZA student is experiencing tonight. This young lady greeted us when we arrived to Zambia, has been very kind, and is just nice to be around. She had never been to Victoria Falls before, so we San Jose students sponsored her. The Falls were beautiful by the way! On our 6-hour bus ride home last night she received a text message stating that her older brother had died. This young woman has already lost both parents. She was able to attend the University of Zambia only because her older brother worked to support her and her two younger siblings. She is now on her own to take care of herself and the two younger ones. How can I even fathom a loss so great?! All of the students just attended the funeral at her home. We hugged her, sat while the UNZA students sang beautiful, comforting songs, and then departed after saying our good-byes. Again, I was sitting there thinking that I know how painful it is to lose someone you love, but how could I ever fully understand her pain? Please keep her and her siblings in your prayers! They are much needed. Oh, and (as if it can't get worse) another student from UNZA found out yesterday on the bus ride home that his uncle just died. Keep him in your prayers, as well as yet another student who lost her grandmother last week.
Today my group brought Alfred, who I thought all this time was named Frederick, to the clinic. His older brother saw us in the community, so he joined hands with Alfred and walked with us there. I found out that Alfred's brother's name is Joe, and he is only 8 years old. He has already had to drop out of the first grade because he cannot afford to buy a uniform. Can you imagine? When we got there, there was already a long line of patients waiting to be seen. We had to pay 500 kwacha, which is less than 20 cents, to register him. After being seen, we were told that his finger was, in fact, infected. We paid an additional 2500 kwacha (less than one US dollar) for him to be seen. We were sent home with an antibiotic-type medication, as well as a painkiller. As I was waiting with Alfred in the clinic, I noticed that even though he is only 5 years old, his face and stature appear to be much older. Joe noticed that his brother's shoelaces were untied so bent down to make sure his little brother was taken care of, tucking in his laces nicely. Joe went without shoes. These kids endure so much and have no time to just be kids. It breaks my heart! I wish I could take Alfred and his brother home with me....maybe some day!
On a more positive note, I did have a good weekend, although it was long and tiring. Saturday morning we took the bus down to Livingstone and stayed at a great resort camp called "The Waterfront". We stayed in 2-man tents. Saturday evening we took a cruise on a riverboat for a few hours. We saw a crocodile in the water before departing shore. We also caught a glimpse of some elephants and hippos. I really enjoyed my time getting to know the UNZA students more. When we returned, there was a gazebo in the center of the camp that was playing music. So all of us had a great time dancing until they closed, which was 11PM. I was able to take a nice hot shower (my first yet in Zambia), but had to dodge the many mosquitos flying around everywhere. I didn't sleep all that well, though, as it was FREEZING!! Really! It was extremely cold. Yes, some countries in Africa can really get cold at night. The next day, we rose early to catch a glimpse of Victoria Falls before we had to be back in town to catch our bus going back at noon. I felt a bit rushed at the Falls, but I still enjoyed it. When we got into town, we found that the bus we were waiting for had broken down. We would have to wait 4 hours before the next bus would arrive. I just hung out with the students, sat on the curb, listened to music in my portable CD player, and enjoyed the beautiful day.
Back to my site today - the orphanage. It was a good day, a productive day, although I have so many more tasks to accomplish. I'd appreciate prayers to continue to keep me in good health. I need it; without it I cannot do what I need to do while I'm here. Thank you all! Have a wonderful week! posted by Laurie Holland @ Monday, July 31, 2006 0 comments links to this post
Friday, July 28, 2006
End of the Week
Today was emotionally painful. I took a look at little Frederick's finger again, and it was obviously very infected. Another UNZA student and I helped to clean him up. The orphanage lacks appropriate first aid supplies. His whole finger was like mush, and under his nail was rotting away. This poor little boy soaked his finger in some antiseptic and water and then endured excruciating pain of the growth under his nail being removed with a scissors. He did not even cry. He just winced in pain. I rubbed his back and fought back tears. After about a half hour of that, we put a bandage on him and he seemed to feel much better. For the next hour he sat on my lap, didn't say a word, observed other kids playing, and then kept looking at me, staring at me, but never a smile. I was able to put a smile on his face later, though, so that made my day!
What else? Man, there's so much to say. I did 3 more home visits today. Joseph lives with his grandma in a very small "house"; both of his parents died of AIDS. Every day is a struggle to survive. Joseph's grandma's only hope is that someone will sponsor Joseph and give him proper clothing and adequate food. Aleck lives with his mother. His father died. She washes others' laundry to make ends meet. Some days they do not eat. I visited Paul's home, but once again the mother was not there. He was left to play in the compounds with the four other children left outside to fend for themselves. These kids live a completely different life here. No words can begin to describe!
Tomorrow I'll be departing Lusaka (the capital - where I am staying) at 4:45AM...OUCH! I'm taking a bus with other students to Victoria Falls in Livingstone. It will be about a 5 hour drive. I'm looking forward to seeing such beautiful scenery. I will return on Sunday evening and then back to my site Monday morning. Hope you all have a safe and happy weekend! posted by Laurie Holland @ Friday, July 28, 2006 2 comments links to this post
Thursday, July 27, 2006
The Clinic / Staff Training Workshop
Hello All! I hope that you are all in good health. Unfortunately, many of my teammates here have been getting sick. I'm fortunate that I have not. It becomes much to endure all of the sand, dust, and dirt that flies around so badly when the wind blows. It's like walking through the desert in a windstorm sometimes. I get dirt in my eyes, ears, nose, and even mouth. As much as I try to get my socks clean (which, by the way, is done by washing by hand in a tub), they are never completely clean. I always feel dirty until I'm able to retreat back to my room in the evening. The days are long. But I'm so happy that I continue to be in good health, so that I can continue the work I've come to do. Each day is critical, because there is so much more to be done and to learn before I leave.
Yesterday, I visited the community clinic. It was an extremely windy day! I could literally shake sand out from my hat and shirt (endlessly it seemed) last night before my bath. Oh, sidenote - a shower is nearly impossible here. There is a showerhead-type device hooked to the faucet, but the temperature of the water changes from freezing cold to scolding hot in a matter of seconds and continues on back and forth like that always. It was a bit frustrating at first, so I now resort to just taking a bath and hope my hair will be as clean as I can get it. Okay, back to the clinic. As I approached the clinic, there were many women holding their child outside in the waiting area. My assumption was that there are many sick children due mainly to the cause of HIV infection. The facility did not have anything near what you see at a clinic in America. It did not appear to be a sterile environment, yet so many waited to be seen. The sad thing is, though, that many mothers who have sick children do not bring them to get tested for AIDS in fear of being stigmatized. As a result, the children suffer from their illness and eventually die. It's terrible! A few of us students met with a doctor there briefly and will be returning on Monday to get more details from him of what the main medical concerns are that they are facing, as well as presenting problems. I'll inform you later.
Today we had a meeting with the staff at the orphanage, which is called "Kondwa Center" by the way. They have a website: http://www.kondwa.org. We addressed many concerns that they have been encountering such as behavioral problems in the children, shortage of staff, not enough money, English language acquisition of the kids (they speak the local language of "Nyanga" sp?), etc. It was a great meeting. I think there are some tools that the teachers and staff can incorporate. However, there is still a HUGE problem with money. And then there are problems that just have no solutions: parents, if any, not being home when the child returns from school; child prostitution, as yound as 10 years old; violence in the streets; the list goes on and on. We've hired a professional drama team to come next week for a parents' workshop. You may be wondering why there are "parents" around if these children are orphaned....well, the majority have either one or both parents who have died of AIDS. If they do not have either parent living, they stay with a sibling or guardian. Well, we'll be hosting a program for them next week. The drama team will perform about children's rights, and we'll also address the issue of children not being tested for HIV, as well as a few other issues. It should be good. Other than the meeting, today was pretty low key. The children seemed so much more calm today for some reason. I held a little boy in my arms today for the longest time. His name is Frederick. I noticed that his ring finger on his right hand was severely swollen, looked injured (if not broken), and he communicated (it was translated for me) that it hurt and has been hurting for awhile. It remained bent. I couldn't do anything about it. There were no supplies to help him. I could only hold him and comfort him. This would NEVER happen in America. An injured person will always have access to proper medical attention in the States; they may receive a fat bill later, but they can still be seen. Not so here in Zambia. Oh, this little boy is so precious!
Ya know, I have to once again state that I am very thankful that I am in good health. There are so many things here that could cause me to be sick. I continue to show the children here love, give them hugs, hold their hands, despite that fact that they have runny noses, their clothing has not been changed, they smell badly, and they are dirty. I do so because I need to do so. They need love. They need hugs. And they need me to hold their hands. I look into their eyes and really just melt. And then I thank God greatly for allowing them to bless me so much! posted by Laurie Holland @ Thursday, July 27, 2006 1 comments links to this post
Monday, July 24, 2006
Home Visits Today
Hello All! Hope you all had a wonderful weekend! I was so tired on Saturday, but right before retreating to bed that night, I got a knock on my door from some members of my San Jose State group wanting to go out dancing again. I couldn't resist. We got there at midnight, and I danced my lil heart out til 4 in the morning. I had the greatest time! You can imagine how much attention of 10 white girls get going into a popular club. I don't know if everyone there, though, was more facsicnated that I had white skin, or that a white girl had rhythm....lol. One guy came up to me and said, "you dance like the white girl in that American movie".....Save the Last Dance. I laughed.
Okay, well today was another intense day at the orphanage. People in my group from America are getting sick because of all the adjustments. It wears our bodies out! Today after working with the kids on their studies, I followed 3 of the kids home to find out where they live and what the conditions are, as well as any other presenting problems I see. I was accompanied by 2 UNZA students that spoke the native language. Image walking through a maze of shanty concrete shed-looking homes, garbage everywhere, smoke and dust in the air, and a stench like feces and warm, stale beer. These children walk a long long way every day to get to the orphanage. The first "home" we visited in the compound (another name for "community" I guess) was that of Mwamba. He is 6 years old, and his parents died when he was very young. He now stays with his grandmother and some uncles, who are young men that greeted us but it was apparant that they had been drinking all day. The grandmother offered us a seat in the shade. Although Mwamba had very deviant behavior at school (the orphange), the grandmother said he is very good at home. At school he needs lots and lots of attention and gets in fights with those who take attention away from him. Hmmm....imagine why! They do not have running water in their homes. There is a community well, but they have to pay for the water and they have no money. It's crazy! The grandmother just wishes and prays that somebody will sponsor Mwamba when he gets into primary school. The education here is free, but they must pay for the uniform, shoes, books, and supplies. It only costs about $50 (US Dollars) to pay for their education for a whole year! Yet, it seems so unrealistic for them to acquire. It is sooo sad! I had to fight back tears so often this afternoon. These kids dress in whatever they can as well. Little Mailo was wearing very tattered clothing, as they all were, and I noticed his shoes were girls' shoes. That's the least of his concern. He's just happy he has some. Most kids run barefoot through the sand, rocks, and trash. After our visit with Mwamba's grandma, we walked probably another mile (or a little less) to Mailo's house. We were greeted by his step-father, who actually spoke English. He married Mailo's mother after his mom left his dad. Apparently, Mailo's real father is still living but very irresponsible. I could see the pain in Mailo's father's eyes (I think his name is Noah). He said he cannot find work and pities Mailo and his other children. He has 3 of this own and is now responsible for not only them and Mailo, but also his brother-in-law's son, as he passed away as well. He said that he feels somewhat responsible for their condition but he said he's really trying. Also, Mailo misbehaves at school so we asked him how his behavior is at home. He often is violent with the kids in the compound. I later learned from the UNZA students that Mailo may not be receiving enough attention from his mother because in Zambian culture the women try really hard to please their husband, even at the expense of their own children. So it was the UNZA students' assumption that his mother may be giving much more attention to her new husband's children than to Mailo.
The last home we visited was Paul's. But when we arrived, nobody was there. So he just resorted to playing with the kids outside. While walking up through the compound (up this path, then that, turn left, right, go straight, then left again....seriously like a maze!), I got many many stares (expected). They hardly ever see a white person pass through their "hood". The kids would always wave and giggle when I waved back. Or they'd greet me with the only English they know, which is "how are you?" that sounds like "haw ah u?" When I respond, they get all excited. It's great! The men greet me differently. They "break their necks" looking back at me, and holler things like, "marry me!" and many other things in their language that I do not know. The conditions these people live in is horrendous!! They have a common "outhouse" (image the smell when we walk by on a hot day), and they tie together flour sacks to a small tree or bush in which they hide behind for privacy when bathing. As I was walking through, I noticed many women out washing clothes in a tub of water. I also noticed that people tried to make a living any way they could. One woman was sitting outside her porch mending clothes. Another selling eggs. Another selling very used, very tattered shoes. I thought to myself, how is it that we are all of the human race, yet live such hugely drasticly different lives? We didn't ask where to be born, or to whom. What if I had been born into those conditions? Would anyone think of me? Would anyone care? It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it! Why is it that America is so filthy rich (for the most part) and there are so many places that are just so dirty that you wonder if you're going to get sick just walking through? America is blessed FAR FAR more than we know. I even had to wait a half hour just to use this computer! AND I have to pay for it. AND it's slow. Okay, enough complaining....I just wanted to give you a bit of info on my experience today and some thoughts that have run through my head.
Hope to see some comments from you guys when you are able to leave one.
Thanks! posted by Laurie Holland @ Monday, July 24, 2006 6 comments links to this post
