Stamped

          Stepping off the plane and standing in the customs line last night, I was basically jumping up and down inside (well, as much as one can after lots of flying!) at the impending Zambian stamp in my passport and the beginning of my time here. I am so honored and thankful to be in Lusaka!!!

          Today, to my absolute excitement, I was able to visit two of the groups with which I hope to serve. The first is the Chikumbuso Widows and Orphans Project in the Ng'ombe "compound" (the Zambian way of explaining a slum) in Lusaka. Chikumbuso is a cheery grouping of classrooms, a beautiful library, and small buildings to accommodate their variety of programs. They seek to empower the most vulnerable: their community center opens the door for 73 widows to work on a micro-enterprise that brings them back to life economically and socially. Today I was able to help some of the widows make some of their incredible creations, and it was such an honor to sit with these women and simply listen. In Zambia, unlike in the US, you can still be called a "youth" until you're around thirty...there is a culture of respect and meaning toward surviving to become elderly, here it is an accomplishment and not something to dread. Chikumbuso's school of over 350 students also incorporates a feeding program, offering lunches of nshima (a starchy, warm, grounded paste made of maize flour called mealie-meal), beans, and a relish made of greens, onions, and tomatoes; many of the children served would otherwise not receive food outside of this basic program. I cannot describe the joy found in waving at a child and seeing their face light up with excitement, and in learning their names and becoming friends! In the tailoring room at Chikumbuso are 30 young adults who have left the streets of the slum to come to learn new life long skills in both tailoring and cooking. Finally, Chikumbuso includes a sponsorship program for grandparents in the community as well as children; for the grandparents, many of whom are the sole caregivers for children orphaned by HIV/AIDS, Chikumbuso supplies mealie-meal, oil, candles, soap, salt and, just recently, firewood to fuel new rocket stoves (more about stoves here: http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/fuel-efficient-stoves-for-23-grandmothers/). For sponsored children, funds go toward providing a mattress, blanket, mosquito net, washing basin, toothbrush, toothpaste, umbrella, a new pair of school shoes, a health card that provides a years worth of services at the local clinic soap, mealie-meal, oil, sugar and beans, as well as the finances to pay school fees for continuing education (i.e. going past 6th grade).  This sponsorship also makes it possible for children to attend the school at Chikumbuso without  penny of fees. Across the board, from sponsorship of grandparents and children to orphans who stop by for a meal, Chikumbuso operates in a manner of respect for all people with the goal of increasing their well-being and self-sufficiency.

          Mercy Ministries, the second organization I visited, is Zambian-run and receives a great deal less attention and US assistance than Chikumbuso. The classrooms are small and made of natural materials, the library contains books in vernacular, and so many children want to attend that they split the day into shifts of students. Their focus is a lot smaller, no sewing rooms or micro-enterprise stores, but I definitely felt at home at Mercy. The program manager Edna introduced me to several classes, and she told the students: "Molly is here to love us, if you have any problems with math she will help you, please pray for her and love her and care for her!" At this the children smiled and laughed and waved with excitement. I was so incredibly humbled and thankful. Something else I love about Mercy is they actively seek to educate and value students with disabilities. In Zambia and in many African countries those with mental or physical handicaps are considered cursed, and the extra care necessary for these individuals, even if others desired to give it, often exceeds families' available resources. These deeply rooted beliefs about spirituality and tradition with regards to health in general inhibits people's perceptions about medicinal treatment, and it often leads to abuse of the ill or neglect of personal illness when "spiritual" remedies do not bring about results. In fact, in native vernacular there is no word for "maintenance," only repair, and this attitude is reflected in the actions of citizens with regards to health. Screenings and preventative medicine are mystifying, and the lack of immediate response to illness because of culture, finances, proximity, availability, quality and a slew of other reasons often leaves preventative illnesses untreated and a great deal of people marginalized. Thus, the care and service of those with special needs at Mercy is truly unique and carries immeasurable value. To learn more about Mercy, stop by their facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/MercyMinistriesZambia. Hopefully I will have more stories to share soon about the amazing love of those in both groups soon. I can't wait to share and celebrate these people with you!

          It's all very new and I have so much to learn and to love about this place. Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by and learn how to love Africa alongside me!!