Zambia Part Two

A fairly chilled day today, and a chance to update my blog from where I got to last…

Tuesday

Today was different to most days, as I had to go to the Zambian hospital this morning! Turns out I’d had an allergic reaction to a bite of some kind, and had a rash developing all over my face. George took me in, and we payed 120 Kwacha (about 12 quid) to register me, then went straight into the doctor’s room- much faster service than back home, but I get the feeling maybe George jumped the queue as some people were sitting patiently outside the room… oops!

The doctor diagnosed me as having an allergic reaction, gave me 2 injections to take away, a pack of antibiotics and some cream! We went to pay for all this, and I was thinking it would cost a fair bit… however, it was only 90 Kwacha (about 9 quid) so that was a relief! Next was the first injection… that wasn’t very fun, but hey, it helped!

We took the second injection away and I was told to return with it that same evening as it contained a sedative, and having it first thing wouldn’t be too clever!

After all this George dropped me at the school to join the others. On the way though we stopped to get some petrol and the guy at the pump asked George if I was his wife! He later explained the reason he asked this was because I’d had my feet on the dash board… and here, only the wife of the driver can do that- oops!!

I spent the morning counting all our literacy books we’ve sent over, so Nathan and Steven know if any have gone missing at any point! Then, after a very filing (not) lunch of biscuits (we didn’t mind though as it was so hot, so we weren’t massively hungry) I went in to teach a class of school children how to use the computers. It was crazy... about 30 students all crammed into this small room, and the power was down too, so the fans were out of use- it was very hot and stuffy! Despite this I really enjoyed taking the lesson, I thought it would be quite difficult teaching 30 students, being as I’m not a teacher ha ha, but I kind of just blagged it and it seemed to go well. The children didn’t know how to switch the computers on, so we began with this, and then logging in and finding their way around the computers. I decided they would probably enjoy paint, so I showed them that, and sure enough they loved it… success!

After this the school children went home and I taught the children from the orphanage the same… by this point we were down to about 4 working computers, as the power was still out! It was good though, the children loved it, despite having to take it in turns to use the last few working computers!

After this I decided to go outside and get some sun, as I’d been inside all day. Peter and Francis were outside, so we ended up chatting- they both shared their amazing testimonies with me… and then I shared with them about Christian Community… was a good time.

After this it was back home for some food… this was welcomed very well as we’d obviously missed lunch! Over tea, George was sharing his testimony with us of how much God has provided for him… very inspiring.

After tea, George, Ali and I headed back to the doctors for my second injection…and I enjoyed a Skype call to home (Living Light) in the car on the way… so lovely to see them all! Waited a while for the injection, but it was fine, then home to bed we came!

Wednesday

One day later and the rash is already beginning to clear… so glad!

I felt sleepy for most of today though, I think it was the sedative they gave me in the injection last night… knocked me out a bit… but, was just glad it is working!

I taught the same lessons today as yesterday- still focusing on the basics, but they’re picking it all up quickly! One of the girls, Chilli, was practicing typing on Word, and she wrote ‘I love you Hannah, you are so good.’ So sweet… wish I could bring all of the children home with me!

The day passed slowly, I think because I was feeling so tired… but, eventually we went home and I skipped tea and got an early night.

Thursday

Feeling much more awake today, thank God! We started the day with a trip into town to get some toys for the babies at the school. They were well received!

Then back to the Centre and taught some more I.T lessons. This time I taught the children Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing (a DVD I brought from home), which is very good… and the children loved it as it has some typing games on it also! After teaching the children, the teachers wanted me to give them a lesson… I guess it will be good for them to know for when we’ve gone.

Went outside and played with the children from the orphanage after this. They asked me to teach them some games we play in England, so I taught them POLO, what’s the time Mr Wolf and bulldog… was great fun.

In the evening we had Sharon and her children over for tea. Sharon was hosting James, and she was missing him as he travelled to Lusaka today, so she came to us instead. She’s lovely.

George’s sister and children were also here, so it was a full house… felt like community, it was lovely.

I whipped out the hot chocolate and chocolate biscuits I brought from home and we ended the evening enjoying these together.

Friday

Headed into town again this morning, but on the way George got stopped by the police! Turns out he didn’t show enough signs of stopping at the stop sign, and wasn’t wearing his seat belt. So, into the car came the police woman… and off to the station we drove! We waited in the car while George went in, and didn’t wait too long before he was done. He got fined 300 Kwacha (about 30 quid), and this was more than he had, so he was going to drop us off and try and find the money, before picking us up! Bless him.

Anyway, eventually we got into town and George helped us to bargain with the market guys! Normally they rip white people off, but George helped us to get good prices. He’s a great guy, so glad of his help on this trip! 
When we were walking around town people were shouting 'white, white' at Ali and I which was quite amusing for us and George :P 

After town we went back to the Centre, and on arrival were greeted by a pile on hug from all the children… so sweet! Honestly don’t know how I’m going to manage to leave them next week!

After this I taught some more classes again, Mavis Beacon on request. Then again chilled and played some games with the children in the sun. It’s so hot here!

Also, I filmed some of Ali’s literacy students and some of the children about the I.T class. Then Ali and I had to interview each other about the week!

On the way home it was very quiet in the car and I took some time to think about everything… time to think has been sparse! We’d been told today that when Sharon, the orphanage secretary, goes home the children lock themselves in and sort themselves out. Same in the morning before Sharon arrives. It’s crazy, such independence at such a young age. They are looking for someone to come in and be there full time and stay with them… but it’s working out the finances that is the tricky bit for them. I hope and pray they work something out.

I was thinking about all sorts in what felt a lifetime in the car… how happy the children are, despite how hard their lives are, how I’ve never heard one of them complain… and trying to figure out how we can continue to support them when we have come home.
Had to switch off from thinking when we arrived home, and go to my bedroom to compose myself as I suddenly felt a bit emotional about it all.

Gave it to God and I guess that’s all we can do… and pray for his wisdom with how to realistically further help them!

Came out of the room to a lovely dinner of chicken and chips… yum! Sanchie is an amazing cook… and we still haven’t had fish… woohoooo! 

Saturday

Today was meant to begin with a Women’s meeting at the church. We arrived, and a wedding was about to take place! Seems the Women’s meeting is no longer on the agenda. Ali and I sat around, waiting to find out what we should be doing, and eventually Gladys came and found us, telling us all the women were waiting for us in a small school classroom! The meeting was ok, Ali spoke very well about Community and commitment etc. She did well to shout over the noise of the wedding music in the next room!

After this we were rushed out of the room and into our rest room, and served Fanta and biscuits for lunch! It felt strange to be rushed out once Ali had done her bit, as the meeting was still going on. We would’ve liked time to talk to them afterwards, but it seemed it wasn’t to be.

We didn’t really know what to do with ourselves for the next hour or so before we got picked up, as none of the children were about. So, I went out and sat on a wall… the grass isn’t safe to sit in, too many insects and lizards about! I enjoyed a few minutes of just sitting and thinking… very rare to get this opportunity out here! It only lasted a few minutes, as one of the girls from the orphanage came back and came and sat with me on the wall. I hoped she wouldn’t get into trouble for climbing the wall… but no one came to tell her off! When we were chatting, Catherine, age 9, said to me “when you go home, take me with you.” So heart breaking. I just told her I would love to, but it wouldn’t be possible. She’s asked Ali and I a few times now to take her away. It’s been amazing seeing the change in her since we first arrived though. When we first got here she was incredibly shy and sad… now she runs to give us hugs and is all smiles most the time. She loves the computers, bless her!

This is Catherine :) 

After this, Catherine went off somewhere with Hannah, one of the older girls, and I was left alone in the blazing hot sun for a few minutes before Peter arrived to keep me company. Peter, 17, asked to take me for a walk down the road to show me the area…so I agreed and went for a walk. We met Lilian on the way so she joined us too. We just walked down the road, as I didn’t want to go too far off the premises! On the way back a guy from across the road shouted us and insisted we talk to him… he came over the road and started to ask me how England is and how I’m finding Zambia etc. He then decided to be really forward and ask for my number… I quickly blagged that I didn’t know it and made a swift exit with Peter and Lilian. We had a good laugh about it on the way back. The culture here is funny!

Got back to the Centre and just sat around for a while with Ali, watching the children play footie. Then into the computer suite with the children again… then home!

It’s been nice to have a slightly slower paced, more chilled day. Just waiting for dinner now… it’s 7.30pm and I’m marving!

Also managed to get myself pretty sunburnt today… oops!

That’s all my ramblings for now, will update some more days when I next get the chance!