We have had many adventures since we've been here and it's so hard to try and write them all down...I'm going to sum them up a bit and then we are going to blog thoughts....stories...in random order from our experiences so far...enjoy! - gia
Sunday, Sept 9th
-We had the privilege of being invited to a community meeting with Angela
-We met many influential, involved people in the area.
-We joined them in their church meeting and listened to their scriptures and failed to participate in the discussions....but we were great listeners!
-We tried our first African meal....we were nervous to go first because we don't eat the same diet and are both concerned about getting sick...thank goodness they have pizza here! The owner of the house has 2 restaurants and she is an incredible cook! Thank you Mable! Hillary tried the chicken. I don't eat meat.
-We continued on to Angela's house for some incredible discusions....I love this woman already!
- We met Angela's adorable grandson, Paul he's 5...we bonded quickly playing trucks something I'm used to with my son, Tobin.
- We watched a little bit of Prison Break, my new favorite show with Angela's first born son, Aaron.
Monday, Sept 10th
- up 6 am....yes I'm turning into a morning girl...don't faint...for those of you that know how much of a night owl I am....it's the heat!
- Angela picked us up, drove to Kondwa Day Center and introduced us to the children and staff
- We found our first project...to paint murals in the playground/entrance to the school
- We use some of the money that was given to us by some of you to buy colorful paint for the murals...you will love the pictures...thank you!! You are a part of the center now.
- We ate Nashima for the first time....passed on the meat that came with it...it was a real treat for the kids to have meat
- Everyone drinks coke out of glass bottles
- Met Angela's old childhood friend MaryAnne, a miner, she shared so many stories with us
- Little girl & her grandfather come to say goodbye she was off to an orphanage....leaving Kondwa to have a place that she can live at where they can take care of her
- Wanting to take so many photos...I love photography but it is difficult because it is invasive and feels rude.....so taking so many pictures with my mind. We will bring our Polaroid soon so we can share the photos with the locals....
Tuesday, Sept 11th
- We take the short cut trail and walk to Kondwa today
- We experience the Ngombe compound and people for the first time up close.
- More painting on the murals
- Play with children at recess...teach London bridges and ring around the rosie...they love to hold our hands and they actually fight over it
- We are falling in love with the kids....so adorable and loving
- We meet some of the women from the widows group that Angela belongs to. ...they are at the school shelling peanuts to make peanut butter
- walk home...kids pass us and giggle as we go by.....they say, "How are you?....Fine.."
- go out to our first dinner....find out we're at the restaurant where Bill Clinton ate one month ago....our waiter was excited he met him
- We find out Anita Roddick died
- We also remember 9-11
- pack to leave to Livingstone tomorrow
Wednesday, Sept. 12th
- leave 6:00am to catch the luxury bus to Livingstone....stories to come!
-6 hours later we arrive
- check in the Maramba lodge...our tents await...its really hot here!
- Gia's encounter with a baboon...yeah laugh a little...more to come...
- Meet Kalvin & Kalvin...yes they have the same name....the chefs at the lodge
- Share similarities and differences with Kalvin's for a few hours....amazing conversations
- look for hippos, crocodiles near our lodge....didn't see any yet
- rig up our mosquito net so Hillary can rest well....she's a bit freaked by malaria....more to come on that one!
- Sleep
Thursday, Sept. 13th
- open air shower
- hot tea....its chilly
- meet Walter our tour guide...that was recommended by Leah & Shea...he's perfect...we feel spoiled!
- Visit Lubasi orphanage
- Visit Victoria Falls
- Hike
- Baboons
- watch bungee jumpers
AND....here we are.....stories will follow.......gia
"Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world." - Desmond Tutu
Purpose:
Purpose:
This desire to visit Zambia is least about tourism and more about becoming better students of culture, and more about self-awareness, and most about examining our shared humanity. It has been our dream to visit Africa, to listen to her rhythm, to learn some steps to her dance. Our philanthropic agenda is straightforward and certainly open to suggestion. In short, we want to embrace the challenges and needs of the local families, nurture and support existing programs, and collaborate on future goals and growth of services. Meeting basic needs as clean water, food, safe shelter, companionship and self-esteem, these are viable activities worthy of our volunteer time. Upon our return, we are committed to educating our communities about the plights of Africa, and seeding environments for more growth in service programs.
Destinations/Organizations to Support:
1.The Kondwa Children’s Foundation, Lusaka, Zambia
2.The Body Shop Community Trade supplier in Northern Zambia.
3. Working with children at various orphanage facilities in Zambia.
Travel Dates:September 6 - 25th 2007
This desire to visit Zambia is least about tourism and more about becoming better students of culture, and more about self-awareness, and most about examining our shared humanity. It has been our dream to visit Africa, to listen to her rhythm, to learn some steps to her dance. Our philanthropic agenda is straightforward and certainly open to suggestion. In short, we want to embrace the challenges and needs of the local families, nurture and support existing programs, and collaborate on future goals and growth of services. Meeting basic needs as clean water, food, safe shelter, companionship and self-esteem, these are viable activities worthy of our volunteer time. Upon our return, we are committed to educating our communities about the plights of Africa, and seeding environments for more growth in service programs.
Destinations/Organizations to Support:
1.The Kondwa Children’s Foundation, Lusaka, Zambia
2.The Body Shop Community Trade supplier in Northern Zambia.
3. Working with children at various orphanage facilities in Zambia.
Travel Dates:September 6 - 25th 2007
Get Involved:
Get Involved:
Now that we're back from Zambia we have more ways for you to help out!
Here's what we're working on right now:
1. Gia is putting together a care package to Angela (school director/creator) in the beg of Feb. for the kids at Kondwa centre. She said they are currently in need of socks. The kids age in range from 4-8 yrs old. If you would like to donate please contact Gia.
2. We have HIV pins to sell at $5 a piece. They were made by the widow's group. Gia would love to send the money to Angela with the care package for the widows. I am happy to mail them to anyone who would like to purchase them. About 30 left!!
3. If you would like a tax write off you can always donate to the Kondwa Centre directly via this website. www.kondwa.org
The money is being used to help fund the new primary school! It's were we spent time "digging" with the caretakers. A great way to invest in the children's future!
Keep checking back to see what's needed.
Thanks for your continued support!!
Now that we're back from Zambia we have more ways for you to help out!
Here's what we're working on right now:
1. Gia is putting together a care package to Angela (school director/creator) in the beg of Feb. for the kids at Kondwa centre. She said they are currently in need of socks. The kids age in range from 4-8 yrs old. If you would like to donate please contact Gia.
2. We have HIV pins to sell at $5 a piece. They were made by the widow's group. Gia would love to send the money to Angela with the care package for the widows. I am happy to mail them to anyone who would like to purchase them. About 30 left!!
3. If you would like a tax write off you can always donate to the Kondwa Centre directly via this website. www.kondwa.org
The money is being used to help fund the new primary school! It's were we spent time "digging" with the caretakers. A great way to invest in the children's future!
Keep checking back to see what's needed.
Thanks for your continued support!!
We Support:
The Kondwa Children's Foundation:
The name Kondwa means "Be Happy."
This name encompasses the mission of the Kondwa Children's Foundation, which is to bring happiness and hope to the lives of orphaned children and communities impoverished by the effects of HIV/AIDS in the slums of Lusaka, Zambia in Africa.
Almost 20% of the children in Zambia are now orphans. On average, these children will live to be only 34 years old. The toll of HIV/AIDS and extreme poverty on Zambia and other African counties is staggering, but there are many ways for individuals to make a difference and help.
The Mission of the Kondwa Day Center:
Kondwa serves many physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the orphans.
To improve the quality of life of orphans whose parents or caregivers have died of AIDS and HIV related diseases.
To give love, care and counseling to the children.
To provide pre-school education and to seek funding for formal education.
To prepare orphaned children with life skills.
To serve nourishing meals and attend to medical needs.
To raise awareness about HIV / AIDS among the children, their guardians and center volunteers.
To provide spiritual guidance to the children and their guardians.
The program staff is 100% volunteer.
Where is Kondwa?
It is located in the Ng’ombe compound on the outskirts of Zambia’s capital, Lusaka. Zambia is one of the southern countries in Africa, an area most affected by the AIDS virus.
The name Kondwa means "Be Happy."
This name encompasses the mission of the Kondwa Children's Foundation, which is to bring happiness and hope to the lives of orphaned children and communities impoverished by the effects of HIV/AIDS in the slums of Lusaka, Zambia in Africa.
Almost 20% of the children in Zambia are now orphans. On average, these children will live to be only 34 years old. The toll of HIV/AIDS and extreme poverty on Zambia and other African counties is staggering, but there are many ways for individuals to make a difference and help.
The Mission of the Kondwa Day Center:
Kondwa serves many physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the orphans.
To improve the quality of life of orphans whose parents or caregivers have died of AIDS and HIV related diseases.
To give love, care and counseling to the children.
To provide pre-school education and to seek funding for formal education.
To prepare orphaned children with life skills.
To serve nourishing meals and attend to medical needs.
To raise awareness about HIV / AIDS among the children, their guardians and center volunteers.
To provide spiritual guidance to the children and their guardians.
The program staff is 100% volunteer.
Where is Kondwa?
It is located in the Ng’ombe compound on the outskirts of Zambia’s capital, Lusaka. Zambia is one of the southern countries in Africa, an area most affected by the AIDS virus.
