Toyobonana Alimwi

Toyobonana alimwi (See you later) or its companion expression in English, "We shall meet," are not lightly given farewells for Zambians. They are fundamentally expressions of faith. We find that our Zambian friends do not take people or relationships lightly. They, who have virtually nothing, value people very highly, while they will give you almost anything they have. We, who have virtually everything we could want, value things very highly, and sometimes are willing to sacrifice our relationships in defense of our things... I'm sure there's a sermon illustration there somewhere!
Bill Ulrich

Reflections on Zambia

As we prepare to leave Zambia, I am reflecting on my experiences. It has been a time of both joy and sorrow. Certainly some of the situations are even worse than I expected, but there have been compensating and even surprising pleasures. Namwianga Mission is even in greater difficulty than I expected, and my friends there are suffering. On the other hand, things are developing very well in our community schools. We enjoyed great experiences in those schools and are encouraged that education is being made available to more and more children. It was especially rewarding to see how some communities are uniting to promote development. Community headmen and other leaders are organising the people and planning construction projects and other improvements. The people are willingly assembling construction materials and preparing bricks so work can go on. It was delightful to celebrate this progress with them. There was much singing and dancing, especially by the women.
Other highlights included The Haven--an orphanage developed by Steve & Joan and now operated by Thomas & Cecilia. What a delight it was to see how wonderfully it is progressing under their management! The place is clean and neat. The yard is both functional and decorative. This represents the cutting edge of our response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The tiny victims are struggling for life under Cecilia's dedicated and effective care. We are so proud and happy!
Bill Ulrich

Rewarding / Worthwhile

After spending three weeks of celebration with our Zambian friends itis easy to understand how rewarding this work is. Zambians are endlessly grateful. They give tremendous appreciation for the stuff we do there for them. As we enjoyed their celebration at Zyangale, my
friend asked me, "Bill, what are you doing in Canada?!
It is true that there is much to do, and the generous thanksgiving of the Zambians make doing it very rewarding, but the question for me is always becoming, "Is it worthwhile?" As I have told many people, the fundamental learning I've done in Zambia is that it is incredibly difficult to help people. There are so many things that we can do, and that we can afford to do for them. But should we? How can we be truly helpful? I have witnessed that many of our interactions in Zambia (likely in many parts of the third world) over the years have not been helpful. Instead we have created dependancy, and we have been guilty of economic enslavement. I am constantly in a personal struggle over whether what I'm doing is worthwhile; I have no doubt that it is rewarding!
Bill Ulrich

Celebration at Katungu

The team experienced the rare privilege of a Zambian celebration today. The occasion was the unveiling of the plaque for Katungu Christian Community School. We were also presenting a large supply of textbooks and other school materials for their use. Several of the local headmen were present to lend their dignity to the occasion, but the highlight for us was with the women. As the ceremony proceeded they began with ululation, soon followed by outbursts of song and then dancing. The school staff joined in, and even some members of our team got involved in the celebration. I tell you, it was an event that filled many eyes and constricted many throats. What a delight it was for us to be part of it!
Bill Ulrich

Breakfast by Guys

Last week I had the opportunity to experience “Breakfast by Guys” for the first time. Apparently this tradition developed during a previous educational mission to Zambia, and has now become a part of irrefutable culture. It must be said that the food was fine, and that all were well fed, however what I learned and what is illustrated by the photos of the breakfast preparation is that apparently breakfast can be delivered by guys, providing they have appropriate and plentiful assistance and instruction!
Today, the program happened again. This time, it was demonstrated that the guys are a quick study, as they were capable of providing a fine repast (the bun-toast was a bit of a downer) without undue outside aid.
Bill Ulrich

Shoes for Students

Today is foot washing day at Simakakata. Words cannot describe the experience. I will send a picture and you can get a glimpse, but I don’t know the words to explain the accompanying feelings of this participant. On Wednesday, after a full day’s work, one of the teachers hand pumped the water and filled a 40 gallon barrel half full. (I had a turn on the hand pump on Tuesday and tired out after 20 minutes that produced 3 gallons of water). The young adults teach the children the story of Jesus washing the disciple’s feet. The students form 4 lines in an almost orderly fashion and we wash approximately 250 children’s feet. The team members are paired up – one washer and one dryer. Several people work behind the basins trying to match shoe size to foot size; it takes a keen eye. When the feet are washed -- not clean, but cleaner than before -- we offer each child a pair of shoes. It is obvious that some of the younger children have never had shoes on their feet. They stand up and lift their heavy feet deliberately in a high step prance until they adjust to the new feeling. I see a group of four 4^th grade boys standing in a circle, almost toe to toe, comparing their new shoes. Such a simple thing commends a blessing to the giver and the receiver.
Marti Elford

Simakakata

While part of the crew was at Namwianga Basic, the remainder of the crew worked at Simakakata Christian Community School. Most of the teachers worked with their colleagues there while others of our crew put on an HIV/AIDS workshop (Stepping Stones) for the community health workers. While this was going on, another large crew ran a Vacation Bible School. It was a very busy week for all these workers. We feel confident that much good has been done.

The kitchen crew were kept busy feeding all of us at both the beginning and the end of our days, and also bringing out our lunches to both locations. We are very thankful; things are going well.
Bill Ulrich

Namwianga Christian Basic School

Several of us spent Monday through Thursday of this week working at NCBS. We matched up with teachers who wished to try some of the techniques we had presented in our workshop last Saturday. The grade nine teachers begged off beginning on Wednesday as the were supervising practice exams. As it developed, this was not necessary, but perhaps reflective of a lack of effort by some of them. In any case, we were able to engage in some productive arrangements, so we hope some benefit will accrue.

We were universally alarmed at the state of affairs for the boarding students. At present fifty-three girls are living in a room 11 by 6 metres. Some are sleeping three to a bunk. I am trying to encourage some improvements there by asking them to consider converting the old Home Economics block (25 by 7 metres) into a girls dorm and building a new Home Economics block. The deputy-head is enthusiastic about this (the head was away this week), so I've taken the idea to the Education Secretary. He will try to obtain a drawing for such a development so we may know the costs involved. Then we may jointly consider where funds may be found. Conditions are likewise poor for the boys, but no solution has readily come to mind.
Bill Ulrich

Workshops

Workshops were designed to allow the collaboration of our team with our Zambian colleagues in many local schools. Many schools in addition to those we are twinning with have included themselves by travelling many kilometres to take part. We were privileged to have in attendance the District Education Board officials as well as the Mission Education Secretary. At the Namwianga Basic workshop, there were thirty-eight registered and participating in the plenary and breakout sessions. It was a very enjoyable time, and we're sure the benefits will continue for children in Zambia, Canada and the United States.

Bill Ulrich