Our last full day with Mothers Without Borders. "We have been here so long - can it really be ending so soon!" We will still be in Zambia for four more days after this but we would be leaving our new found friends and this was very difficult.
But back to the day, this day was my birthday, never did I dream I would be spending my 72nd birthday in Africa. What a privilege and what an experience! Everyone knew it was my birthday so I awoke to many greetings. At our morning meeting I was surprised with a chocolate cake and a round of Happy Birthday singing. Chocolate - they got to know me well in our time together! The cake was shared by everyone.
When we finished our MWB journey most of us were going on to Livingstone to see Victoria Falls and go on a day long safari in Botswana. At the morning meeting Kathy gave us all very explicit directions about the whole process we would be going through at the Johannesburg
airport on our way home. When we arrived in Johannesburg after our 19 hour flight it had all been extremely confusing, fortunately on the way home it proved to be much easier.
This was to be an extremely busy and emotional day in many ways. Many goodbye photos were taken this morning after our meeting.
airport on our way home. When we arrived in Johannesburg after our 19 hour flight it had all been extremely confusing, fortunately on the way home it proved to be much easier.
This was to be an extremely busy and emotional day in many ways. Many goodbye photos were taken this morning after our meeting.
Lori helping Ireen with preps for our supper later that day.
Kathy and me and Ireen and me
Leaving the Chikusu house on the bus.
We got on the bus and the pickup truck and headed for the Land to put our handprints on the warehouse. First we pooled our money to get chickens for all the staff. We had to figure out who needed dead chickens and who needed live chickens. Those staff members who had no refrigeration in their homes needed live chickens so they could keep them until they were ready to kill and eat them. We stopped at a store that sold live chickens, they didn't have enough but we took what they had and the rest had to be purchased later. This was an important gift, remember chickens cost $7 a piece.
On the way to do this we were stopped at a police check point for a check for driver's licenses. Philip was driving the pickup and he didn't have his license with him. This was a problem. It was solved by Chiphus. He drove our bus ahead and around a corner and sort of out of sight. He took off his hat and jacket to slightly disguise himself and walked back to the truck. Since he had his license he drove the truck forward ahead of our bus. Then he got out and walked back to the bus, put on his hat and jacket and became our bus driver again. It worked.
I got to ride up front with Chiphus because it was my birthday. This was a great vantage point for taking pictures and observing the countryside and people. I rode here all day, my birthday present.
After buying chickens we went on to the Land and put our handprints on the garage door of the warehouse. Then on to the Children's Resource Center to say our goodbyes to the kids.
I got to ride up front with Chiphus because it was my birthday. This was a great vantage point for taking pictures and observing the countryside and people. I rode here all day, my birthday present.
After buying chickens we went on to the Land and put our handprints on the garage door of the warehouse. Then on to the Children's Resource Center to say our goodbyes to the kids.
I left my handprint in Africa but the Zambians left their prints on my heart. Washing the paint off.
Our Team
When we arrived at the CRC my little friend, Kupa came right up to me. He said he would be right back and ran to get his name tag. I was taking lots of pictures and after awhile I just gave him my camera to take pictures. He had a great time taking pictures and having his friend take pictures of him. All of us were busy being with the kids and the staff, knowing this was our last time together. We were only able to stay there for about an hour so we tried to make the most of it.
When we arrived at the CRC my little friend, Kupa came right up to me. He said he would be right back and ran to get his name tag. I was taking lots of pictures and after awhile I just gave him my camera to take pictures. He had a great time taking pictures and having his friend take pictures of him. All of us were busy being with the kids and the staff, knowing this was our last time together. We were only able to stay there for about an hour so we tried to make the most of it.
Kupa and me and Kennedy with a loose tooth
The boys and little Blessing with McCall
Carol and me after Carol finished her chores. The way the world should be.
The Children's Resource Center and the boys with my camera.
As we left.
At the end of the time we all lined up for a photo together. We had some talented people in our group who love music and they had made up a song to sing to everyone at the CRC. It included every CRC person's name. After having our photo taken we separated and faced the CRC group to sing our song. I knew this was the last time I would be with Kupa so before I joined the group to sing the song I told him over and over "I love you" and he told me he loved me. After the song Kathy immediately told us to get on the bus. She planned this so that we didn't all have a chance to dissolve into tears and make it an unhappy goodbye. Anymore than it was! There were lots of tears but the tears happened on the bus. We waved and waved until we were out of sight.
Our song: My Favorite Kids to the tune of My Favorite Things
We came to Zambia, not having a clue,
At the end of the time we all lined up for a photo together. We had some talented people in our group who love music and they had made up a song to sing to everyone at the CRC. It included every CRC person's name. After having our photo taken we separated and faced the CRC group to sing our song. I knew this was the last time I would be with Kupa so before I joined the group to sing the song I told him over and over "I love you" and he told me he loved me. After the song Kathy immediately told us to get on the bus. She planned this so that we didn't all have a chance to dissolve into tears and make it an unhappy goodbye. Anymore than it was! There were lots of tears but the tears happened on the bus. We waved and waved until we were out of sight.
Our song: My Favorite Kids to the tune of My Favorite Things
We came to Zambia, not having a clue,
We didn't know just how much we would love you.
You stole our hearts in the blink of an eye,
We won't forget you, now we'll tell you why
When Fagness sings she can't help but start dancing,
Soccer with the boys has left us all panting.
Day at the spa, rubbing feet, painting nails
When we get home we will have quite a tale.
Josephine, Brigette, Ethel, Carol, Kupa,
Kennedy, Tabu, Raymond, Victor, Vincent, Chola
Diana, Moses, Choolwe, "B", Bwalya
Emmanuel, Charles, Abby, Nchimunya
Katherine and George and Helga and Faith,
Boxen, we think that your garden is great.
Tracing your hands, making cards, painting leaves,
You are a few of our favorite things
Chorus:
Your cha-tang-ays, when you dance they
Make us smile and laugh.
We'll always remember our favorite kids,
Cuz you make us feel so glad!
After we left we visited the homes of Webster and Sharon and Josephine.
A
Josephine with Webster and Sharon's new granddaughter.
Webster and Sharon and their family.
Josephine and her garden
Josephine's living room and a sign on her wall.
After we left Josephine's we went on a very disturbing ride through the acres and acres and acres of cemetaries in Lusaka. No pictures were allowed, but I didn't need a camera to remember this site. Miles and miles of mounds side by side. If you have seen these photos on TV you know what I saw. It is very real. When I say side by side, I mean literally side by side, as close as they can get. It was a stunning and sobering experience to drive through these acres of mounds.
The funerals are usually held on Saturday mornings, Josephine had just been to a funeral and she said there were two funerals side by side, two mounds. There were so many people for both funerals that she couldn't hear anything and people were milling around, one group all mixed up with the other group. Too many funerals, too much loss.
That is the emotional day that ended our time in Zambia with Mothers Without Borders. Something we wouldn't soon forget, topping an experience of a lifetime. I am with these people in spirit every day. I think about them and hope with all my heart for help and better times for them.
That night we had our usual meeting, there were tearful goodbyes to those people we had met at the Chikusu house and some of the Zambian staffers.
The goodbyes to the Zambian staff.
We went home to our bunkhouse and packed our bags, we were able to leave most of our belongings with Mavis while we took only what we needed for a short trip to Livingstone. We would be back in Lusaka for the night before we flew to Johannesburg and home. We left everything we possibly could for Josephine to give to those in greatest need.
While we were in Zambia 80,223 children lost a parent.
The life expectancy of Zambians is 33.
Quote of the day:
When asked what is the hardest part of living alone, a thirteen year old boy living on the streets of Zambia, told MWB,"I don't have anyone to love me or protect me or help me. I am always alone."
94 percent of the money that is donated to Mothers Without Borders goes to help the children of Zambia. $25 will feed a child for a month. If you want to donate to an organization where you know where your money goes, I can't think of a better organization than MWB. I have seen what is being done for the children of Zambia with this money. Please give it some thought.
Mothers Without Borders
125 E. Main Street
American Fork UT 84003
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