Animals of Zambia

Most people, when they think of Zambia, think of safari animals.  These are not the animals that you would see on a typical day in Zambia, unless, of course, you decide to be a tourist and go on a safari through the jungles of Africa.  The animals that the children of Mazabuka are used to seeing are the ones that are pictured above.  These animals are the ones you would see on a normal day- when not on safari.  All of these animals serve a purpose for the family (well, except for the turtle who is just fun to look at):

Goats, chickens, pigs, and cattle are very important to a family because they guarantee a family's wealth.  They can be used for bride wealth (dowry), can be sold for income, or can be slaughtered to feed the family if needed.

Cattle, also, help plow the fields.  Without them, it would take many long weeks of labor, and would probably mean that the children would need to stay home from school to help plow the fields.

Donkeys and Cattle help haul things- especially those things too heavy to haul in a wheelbarrow.

Dogs are there for protection.  It is there job to protect all of the living things on the compound and warn them of danger.

Chores in Zambia- Fetching Water

Fetching water is a typical chore for the young girls in the southern province.  It can take any where from a few minutes to over an hour- depending on how far away the water pump is from their home, and how much water they need to retrieve. 

Chores in Zambia- Food Preparation and Clean Up

Pounding the corn to make nshima

Cutting the food up

Cooking the food over an open fire

 

Washing the plates after dinner

These young ladies help their mothers, aunties, or caregivers prepare the meals for their families. 

By the way, did you know that is only costs $27 to provide your sponsor child's family with a Prima stove? We have had a few children get injured in the open fire that they currently cook on (Humphrey lost his hand and part of his arm, and could easily have lost his life if his mother hadn't found him in time- when he had a seizure and fell into the flames), so a small stove is very valuable to the families!

Feeding the Family

I just love these photos that the children have taken,  Don't you?!  In Mazabuka, most families cook on an open fire.  You can see Jordan in the top two photos getting the fire going for the meal.  I love the faces he is making in these photos.  What a character!! 

Meal time is a communal and social event.  If you look at the photo at the bottom, you will see a typical family sharing a meal together.  They are eating in the same hut they did the cooking in, and are sharing a plate of nshima.  These are the kinds of meals American families should be having together!  Most American families do not sit down to eat together but pick up a meal on the go- constantly running from place to place.  Imagine all that could be said and shared if we all sat down to share a meal together in a one room hut.  Love- all love =)

Preschool in Chalimbana

Chalimbana is home to many young children.  You will find several preschool children here.  These children are hungry for knowledge!!  A preschool was set up there to assist these children in getting an early start on education.  This is a dedicated bunch of children, as you can see by the picture above.  The one thing they lack that other preschools have is a school building.  When it rains, there are less children in class because the weather doesn't go well with an outdoor classroom.  They do have a temporary building, but the building is used for meetings and such as well.  If there is something else going on in the building, the children find a tree to sit under and then listen closely as the teacher teaches them the alphabet, numbers, etc.

Football in Zambia

Above, Evans and one of his friends kick the ball made of plastic and trash back and forth.  Below, Cacious kicks around a "hacky sack" sized football I sent him.

Football aka Soccer is the most popular sport for boys in Zambia.  You don't need much to have a soccer match- something round that you can kick and enough space to play... That is all that is necessary.  Bring it on!

The Elderly and Their Role

The elderly in Zambia are different from the elderly in the USA.  They do not have a monetary retirement plan, and do not look forward to a magical age when they will be able to stop working.  For the elderly in the southern province of Zambia, the work does not end!  Most of these families have been deeply impacted by the HIV/AIDS epidemic.  The grandparents are left to raise their children's children.  They must cook, work in the fields, bathe and care for the children 24/7, and do not have a moment when there is nothing for them to do. 

Imagine doing all you are doing now when you are 70 years old.  I have aches and pains now at the age of  37, so I can not imagine what my body will feel like at 70.  Talk about strong women!!   You can help these women by becoming their friend and penpal.  We have a penpal program set up just to pamper these wonderful women!!  If you are interested in helping one or more of them, visit our yahoo group and look at the photo album for women.  We still have 20+ women waiting for a penpal.

A Place to Rest

This is a typical hut and bed for a child in the villages of Mazabuka.  The children have their own hut usually (kind of like having your own room) and they have a blanket on the floor.  Many sponsored children now have a cozy pillow to lay their head on thanks to their sponsors, and warm blankets to keep the cold air off of them- especially now while it is so cold in Zambia, this is extremely important!

Playground Games

Children the world over have always enjoyed "hide and seek".  Check out these cute preschool girls in Chalimbana hiding.  Dainess Mundia #862 is hiding with Ronah during recess at school.  Dainess does not have a sponsor, so if you would like to sponsor Dainess, visit our web-site and do a search by her ID number and click on "Sponsor Me!"  She could use a medical exam as she has a persistant cough.  www.mwanahopezambia.com

Need Windows on your House?

No sweat!  Just draw them on!  (see background)

Who Needs An Electric Company?

Wonder how the radios will get used when the families do not have access to traditional electricity?  Little did you know- WE (in the USA) are the ones behind the times!  Check out these solar panels!  These are readily available in Zambia. I am not sure how much each panel costs, but I am in awe of the ingenuity- I just had to share!  I need to see how I can get my hands on some panels myself and ditch my electric company!!  Imagine the savings!

Mwiinga Family Business

Mutinta Mwiinga #1197, age 3 is in need of a sponsor.

Here is the Mwiinga family that I spoke of in the last post.  We now know that Mrs. Mwiinga's daughter Mutinta attends Dindi CHILDHOPE supported ECCDE center.  Now, we know that this village that they live in- that we could not find any other sponsored children in- is close to Dindi.  There are plenty of families and women in our program in Dindi.  If anyone sponsors a child in Dindi and would like to contribute to starting up a sewing cooperative for the women, let me know.  We would need the names of the families (maybe 5 to 6 women).  Then, the Zambia team could speak with those women and determine if they are good candidates for the business (i.e. already know how to sew). 

If several women are involved, we could help several families.  Plus, the start up cost would be less when divided among 5 or 6 sponsors- whose sponsored children/women are participating.   Mrs. Mwiinga would still be the one in charge of the supplies, but the earnings would be split among the group according to the work.  It would be great if we could purchase the uniforms from them!

Such a deserving family!!  You can see that through all of Mrs. Mwiinga's obstacles, she remains happy hearted.  I am not sure I would be talking and laughing with a smile in her situation.  She speaks of Jordan not having food, but I know she would go without food to provide for him... So, if he has no food, there is just no telling how empty her stomach is!!  And, all she wants is a way to help herself!  Here in the states, she would get a monthly check for her disability- not in Zambia!  Though she is clearly disabled, if her family needs food- she is the one that must figure out how to provide that- disability or no disability!

A Seamstress in Need of a Start

Here is Jordan' mother.  She says: "The girl in black dress is Jordan’s sister by the name of Mutinta Mwiinga who is 3 years old. While the other boy is Nchimunya Moonga who is the child to the sister in law. She is appealing for help. She says ‘look at the house in which I sleep’. She says Jordan has no food and where he sleeps there is nothing but the dirt floor. The mother says Jordan is at Simwaba basic school while the sister to Jordan is at Dindi ECCDE center."
This sweet lady mentions not having food to feed her children at the beginning of the video.  If you look at Jordan's face, you will see him trying to hold back tears.  The interesting thing is that she is NOT requesting a hand out.  What she would like is a chance to be able to help her family with her own hands.  She is disabled, but she can sew.  Sewing would provide her family with the income to purchase food and other necessities. 
If you would like to help Mrs. Mwiinga provide for her family, please contact me at macandmic@gmail.com 

2011 Sixth Distribution Post 13: More Secondary Term School Fees Paid

Marble 451 above and Clever 456 below

Arnold 473 above and Nchimunya 511 below

Obby 541 above and Gilbert 1078 below

Malala 1105 above and Jessy 1120 below

2011 Sixth Distribution Post 12: Secondary Term School Fees Paid

Forstina 41 above and Victor 51 below

Tecra 153 above and Kenneth 162 below

Mutinta 163 above and Verian 259 below

Nzala 276 above and Liberty 279 below

Trident 285 above and Sidney 296 below