Michelle's African Journal
Day 1: Kalomo, Zambia
Hi everybody, and welcome to my online journal of my trip to Zambia with World Vision.
As I was expecting, it's been unlike anything I've ever experienced.
We left Nashville on Wednesday at 7am and arrived in Zambia on Thursday at 4pm. For those of you who are counting, that's 9000 miles and over 26 hours in planes and airports. With a 7 hour time change, my body definitely knows it's on a different continent!
Zambia is a country of over 12 million people located in the southern portion of Africa. More than half the population is under the age of 16.
Border crossings are a little different over here. While entering Zambia from Zimbabwe, I got my first glimpse of wildlife as the baboons wandered freely at the Victoria Falls checkpoint.
After a good night's sleep we started early, loaded up the land rovers and headed to a village called Kalomo, where I met a extraordinary young girl.
Her name is Miriam. She's 16. Both her parents have died of AIDS and she's now the sole provider for 4 siblings, William (12), Rosemary (9), and eight-year-old twins, Jane and Jackie. Jane is smaller than Jackie because she was born with Sickle cell Anemia; she is more susceptible to illness and is often sick - but there is just no money for treatment.
Miriam attended school until grade 9 but was forced to drop out to look after her family.
When she returns home in the late afternoon, after selling oranges in the market all day, Miriam begins to prepare the one meal that she and her siblings will eat that day. Dinner usually consists of a corn meal paste called Shima. In a good week the family may be able to afford some dried fish, some beans, or a few vegetables... but most of the time it's just the Shima.
Miriam speaks English, so I was able to talk with her and spend time with her learning about her world.
She has hopes and dreams just like all young girls. She told me about her boyfriend and of her desire to go back to school. But she also told me that's probably not possible, because "who's going to look after the children?"
I helped her prepare a meal and this gave me the chance to listen to the children and learn about the simple things they desire. Crayons, shoes and the chance to go to school.
My time with Miriam and her family helped me to understand the real need for World Vision Child Sponsorship. Left on their own, the future for Miriam and her brothers and sisters looks bleak. But Child Sponsorship will enable the children to go to school, receive healthcare, and improve their nutrition.
I came to Africa not knowing what to expect. But after seeing Miriam's daily struggle and the courage she showed me, the word hope has a new meaning for me. Child Sponsorship starts with hope. Hope for thousands of children just like Miriam can begin with Child Sponsorship. Hope that their tomorrow can be better.
Love,
Michelle
Day 2: Livingstone and Kalomo, Zambia
Day Two started early with us once again loading up the land rovers and leaving our hotel in Livingstone to head back to Kalomo to meet two more Zambian families.
No sooner had we gotten on the road than a huge elephant appeared. It was really amazing to see it in its natural environment. I just had to stop and take its picture as it lumbered across the highway.
We then continued on to Kalomo to visit our first family. Rhoida, as I discovered, is an affectionate nine-year-old orphan. Her mother died in childbirth and her father died of AIDS eighteen months ago. Her grandmother also died of AIDS. Her only living relative is her great-grandmother, 73-year-old Kutemba.
Rhoida and Kutemba don't speak English, so we had an interpreter. They live in a village setting. There is electricity in the village but they have none. The houses in the area are constructed of cement blocks with tin roofs. Before Kutemba's husband died, he built the three-room house they live in. At first, extended family members all lived in this house; then, when Rhoida's mother and grandmother died, she and Kutemba moved into one room. The other two rooms are rented out for about $6 a month, but Kutemba needs twice that amount just to buy food.
Rhoida and her great-grandmother, if lucky, eat one small meal a day but often go without. They said they are always hungry. They drink lots of water to feel full.
Malaria is a big threat here in Zambia and Rhoida has had it several times. Last time she was turned away for treatment because Kutemba didn't have the money to pay. The right malaria treatment costs almost a month's income.
Rhoida goes to school but Kutemba finds it difficult to pay for her books and uniform. Her teacher says Rhoida is a good student, but without the supplies and uniforms she can't attend regularly.
It's winter here right now and the temperature can get as low as 5 degrees Celsius at night. Their living conditions are really poor. They sleep on a concrete floor with some old blankets. We watched them eat their daily meal - boiled sweet potatoes.
Despite the lack of food and poor housing, Rhoida and Kutemba made us feel welcome. I knew that Rhoida's future was precarious at best, but that it could be changed with Child Sponsorship. But I couldn't leave without doing something to meet their immediate needs.
We left the two and went to the market in Kalomo where I bought them bedding, kitchen supplies, and enough food to last them for about a month. Kutemba danced with joy when we returned. Then she lay down on the soft bed. Her poor old body is going to be able to rest in some warmth and comfort now. We left them both and Rhoida was put on the World Vision Child Sponsorship list. There's renewed hope in all our hearts that hopefully someone in Canada will step forward and sponsor little Rhoida.
The next family totally broke my heart. We traveled into the countryside to an isolated cluster of shelters. On the edge of this tiny community live 5-year-old Haggai and his 3-year-old sister, Memory. Their mother died two years ago from pneumonia, and their father died three years ago from malaria. The two orphans are now cared for by Marita, their 60-year-old grandmother.
Just like the images we've all seen on TV, these two children were listless and malnourished. The boy Haggai had such a blank look in his eyes. Their living conditions were the worst I had seen - a grass hut and a mud floor. When we arrived, they basically had no food left, just a small amount of Shima. These children were clearly suffering from the effects of the current Southern African drought. The crew I'm traveling with is pretty seasoned, but even they couldn't believe how bad these children needed help. Scot McDonald and Dean Miles, two members of our film crew, were so affected by this family's situation that they immediately made arrangements to sponsor the two kids.
One community, two days, three families adds up to an experience I'll never forget.
I am so glad I came, for what I have seen and learned, and I feel like I am forever changed.
Love,
Michelle
Day 3: Livingstone
This is my last day in Zambia, but before I return home, I'd like to share a few more thoughts.
I've seen a lot of need. But I've also seen a lot of beauty in Zambia. I took the time today to see one of God's natural wonders, Victoria Falls. We were led through the paths by a local guide, and to my great surprise a magnificent double rainbow appeared out of the mist above the Falls.
As I begin to pack my things, I know I will carry these memories with me: I found the families I met to be warm and gracious and filled with quiet dignity in the face of their enormous challenges, and the World Vision staff to be dedicated, professional and full of compassion for the desperately needy people they seek to serve.
It's been a life-changing experience. Thank you World Vision for showing me that it is possible to make a difference.
Love,
Michelle
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