Ireen and Peter, Stephen and Gift
We had a number of activities ready to do with the kids. I helped Erin work with the kids to make cards which will be used by MWB to send as thank you cards to donors. Other activities included painting, needlepoint, reading, playing games and just talking and being with the kids.
Erin and the card making
One of the special things our group did was have a spa for the women. These women work hard day after day with little time for themselves. This was a day when we took over with the kids and they could relax in our "spa." In an alcove between buildings we set up chairs for the women and some of our group gave them pedicures and manicures while the women relaxed and read magazines. At one point I read stories to Kathryn. The women loved this day and it was a wonderful present to them from us.
While I was reading to Kathryn, a couple of the kids came up to listen, including my little friend, Kupa. After awhile she was called away and I kept on reading to the kids, they kept going to find more books and by the time we were finished I think I had read all the books we brought with us.
After we finished reading the books Kupa and I walked around together. He showed me his room, he lives with the other kids, although his father and step-mother are two of the parents taking care of the CRC kids. I don't know if this is because there is not enough room in their home and maybe it will change when they move to new quarters. I will have to find out.
Kupa
The kids were so excited to have us there and loved all the activities and one on one talk with different members of our group. One of the women was making Shima for their supper and I watched her do it. She was stirring it in the pot and asked me if I wanted to try it. I said sure, it looked easy enough. Well, let me tell you, it isn't! I could hardly move the big spoon. She had been stirring away like it was a little dish of oatmeal.
I looked at all the kids bunk rooms. I didn't see any toys anywhere. I later asked why they didn't at least have a stuffed animal, knowing how our kids become so attached to their stuffed animals. It seems they have tried stuffed animals and the kids, at least these kids, just don't feel the same way and didn't take to the stuffed animals. I thought it might be a comfort to them to have a stuffed animal but it doesn't work here.
We finally had to wrap it up at the CRC and board the bus for home. I was wearing a little thin and I really looked forward to Sunday, a quieter day in which to recoup a little.
Some of the miscellaneous things I have learned:
When the cornfields are burned, the Zambians stand at the edge with bags to catch the mice who are escaping the fire. They then roast them and eat them, fur and all.
A pedestrian bridge over a highway is called a "fly over bridge."
"Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends."
Maya Angelou
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