Thursday, December 29, 2011
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Femmy at work! 
Femmy is in her second year of electrical engineering and comes every holiday to volunteer her time as appreciation of ZMF-C sponsorship. She brings her great attitude and her willing hands to help out with the work at Kasensa. 
Today, we have 20 people at work at Kasensa: 5 paid staff -4 caring for our 9 babies, and the rest are sponsored college and secondary students. They are working on the newly constructed house, de-cockroaching the kitchen in the house, cleaning the verandah and dining areas, gardening and painting. These are great jobs to be done at this time as we usually have only our 5 paid staff and therefore regular cleaning is either done by Richard and me and our Saturday Sponsored kids! Everyone does a great job and b/c so many are now used to the routine, there is much less delegation and supervision that needs to be done.
Monday, December 26, 2011
Matron goes home with her family
December 26, Matron went home with her family. The mother, Buumba is 17 years old and granny (younger than me by at least 10 years!) is the one really in charge. Buumba had surgery for a very large breast ulcer - and Matron has survived well on Cowbell formula and eats everything she sees - as her weight testifies. She is 11.4 kg at 9 months old! I fished a cockroach out of her mouth one day - she was not impressed with my rationing!
Family initially thought we'd keep Matron for 2 years - she was with us for 7weeks! Perhaps slowly the idea of temporary emergency care will catch on within Zambia. We are attempting to intevene at all system levels i.e. individual, family, community and government. Our job includes assessing family and community capacity to ensure that babies emotional, physical and spiritual needs are being met. We do our best to assess through visits to the family home, with other relatives, and the government system. This means weekly visits to the SW office and to the hospitals and clinics in the area.
Matron's "uncle"- is dentist, Ian who works at Namwianga Clinic and he will ensure that family continues to cope well. Matron and family are due back here January 15 for a follow-up assessment.
We were grateful to be part of Matron's life and....she made many friends here at Kasensa.
The family expressed much gratitude for being able to support them in their time of need. Thanks to the many donors who support Kasensa. Your work is good and is making a huge difference for these kids and their families!
Family initially thought we'd keep Matron for 2 years - she was with us for 7weeks! Perhaps slowly the idea of temporary emergency care will catch on within Zambia. We are attempting to intevene at all system levels i.e. individual, family, community and government. Our job includes assessing family and community capacity to ensure that babies emotional, physical and spiritual needs are being met. We do our best to assess through visits to the family home, with other relatives, and the government system. This means weekly visits to the SW office and to the hospitals and clinics in the area.
Matron's "uncle"- is dentist, Ian who works at Namwianga Clinic and he will ensure that family continues to cope well. Matron and family are due back here January 15 for a follow-up assessment.
We were grateful to be part of Matron's life and....she made many friends here at Kasensa.
The family expressed much gratitude for being able to support them in their time of need. Thanks to the many donors who support Kasensa. Your work is good and is making a huge difference for these kids and their families!
Mangos, mangos!
I'll try to better capture the idea of mangoes, mangoes......but this is a first try!
mango season
Its mango time again in Zambia. Timmy eats about 10 a day - and we see his little mango hand marks swiped across cupboard doors! We pick them off the ground many times a day and share them with many! i.e. at the hospital, with visitors and sponsored kids! Yummy!
Lumamba - our newest addition
Lumamba means warrior in Tonga. He arrived on December 16 and is from Belile area - about 65 km. out of Kalomo. I'd met his parents shortly after his birth in September. His mom has TB that has progressed to the point where she was extremely weak and thin and just not able to care for Lumamba. You can see from the photo that his "gills" are swollen. I've taken him to the clinic now a few times - given him 5 days of Penicillin I/M and now he's started on TB treatment a few days ago as the swelling of his glands are a sign of TB. As well he is wheezing all the time and his chest xray that was locally done showed some shadows in his lungs - although the quality of x-ray was poor.
He is 3 1/2 months old and weighs in at 4.1 kg - smaller than he should be. But....good things - he has appetite and can still smile sweetly!
He is 3 1/2 months old and weighs in at 4.1 kg - smaller than he should be. But....good things - he has appetite and can still smile sweetly!
New every morning - Lamentations 3
His mercies are new EVERY morning and every morning at 7:30 all Kasensa staff, babies and who ever is around stops to give thanks to God and to look to God for guidance for this new day that we've been blessed with! Up to 35 have been attending recently due to sponsored kids being on the farm to do their volunteer work. Even last night one of our college boys, Phineas arrived. By 05:50 some of the boys had already walked from their homes and were at work in the field. We gathered them at 07:15 to join us in the devotion time.
Molly, Timmy, Abraham, Potius, Rozina, Matron and Abigail all love to sing the fish song and building up the temple and ....others.
Molly very much models the adults and will open a Tonga hymnal and sing out at the top of her lungs - sometimes with legs crossed like the adults she sees. This morning she was rocking Oscar the grouch (the green furry Sesame Street character) in the baby rocker with her feet while she was singing - this time her hymnal was a small Bible - bending the pages back - just like the adults!
Molly, Timmy, Abraham, Potius, Rozina, Matron and Abigail all love to sing the fish song and building up the temple and ....others.
Molly very much models the adults and will open a Tonga hymnal and sing out at the top of her lungs - sometimes with legs crossed like the adults she sees. This morning she was rocking Oscar the grouch (the green furry Sesame Street character) in the baby rocker with her feet while she was singing - this time her hymnal was a small Bible - bending the pages back - just like the adults!
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Christmas eve at Simakakata
Taylor's family provided funding to purchase cabbages, oil, sugar, rice and a few other goodies for 8 families with disabilities at Simakakata. Kasensa provided mangos - as we have PLENTY! Molly and Timmy joined in sharing the goodies with our Simakakata brothers and sisters in Christ.
The congregation at Simakakata was truly greatful for Taylor's family and thanked God for their generosity and prayed for continued blessings for that family.
Sharing.....its what its all about, isn't it? This day and every day!
May God continue to move our hearts and hands to sharing as Jesus would.
Big George is done like dinner!
We've been feeding George for several months and now he's feeding others! All workers and families who live on the farm received a portion of George as their Christmas present from ZMF-C. George was HUGE - this picture makes him look small. He was a giant, old boar with tough bristly almost porcupine quill fur? hair?The compound smelled sweetly of pork roasting on Christmas eve!
Merry Christmas!
Christmas day at Kasensa
Christmas day started early! At 04:30 there was a loud crack of thunder! The day before I'd removed 3/4 of the curtains/drapes from around the house. Because Zesco had been off for about 1/3 of the daylight hours on the 24th and because the sky was clear at bedtime they were still hanging on the lines. So I leaped out of bed at the first sound of the pounding rain to help Theresa finish gathering them off the line..
Right after devo time all the babies and the aunties and everyone else staying at Kasensa (Brivery, Timmy, Taylor, Richard, Sue, Femmy) gathered at the Christmas tree to see what Santa had brought! Each of the babies received a beanie baby and Molly - a new dolly (we made a bed later in the day out of an ice cream container and potholder for blankets) and Timmy - a remote controlled truck. Thanks to Tiffany - Brivery, Timmy and Febby received new soccer jerseys and shorts and thanks to Walmart all the guys received new Christmas ties. For our gift, Richard and I settled for 3 weeks of precious family time with Krista and Tim who are now back at home with the rest of our family.
The church here had a Christmas eve service and then after morning service had a feast of rice, chicken and goat - and chocolate cake with sprinkles! For morning treats at Kasensa - we had cinnamon biscuits, watermelon and tea. We got in a few Christmas visits with Mbumwaes and the Bandas and finished off the day watching the Princess Bride - a classic true love movie!
Molly and Timmy's first visit with Santa
Santa arrived on the 24th to Kalomo and Molly and Timmy were excited (??) to see him. Actually, they did very well in sitting on his lap - Timmy is quite shy most of the time. But, like all kids - a little bit of candy can go a long way in starting a friendship! They gobbled up one candy and then I had them store the other candy in their pocket because we were on our way to share gifts with Simakakata and Kalomo Hospital. How many 3 year olds do you know that can actually keep a candy in their pocket without eating it for 3 hours! They did not forget it was in their pocket. They brought the candy out several times, looked at it and looked at me and then put it back in their pocket. Finally, after arriving home they could eat their candy!
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Merry Christmas from us at the farm - Kasensa.
Each holiday month the college students volunteer their time to ZMF-C in support of the orphan care and to show appreciation for the sponsorship they've received. This past week they've been weeding (all by hand and hoe) our 1.5 hectare maize field. The harvested maize will be given to vulnerable people such as widows, orphans and those at Simakakata (a community with mostly disabled people).
After working hard each day - (0600 - 13 hours) they cook over open fire their lunch and in the evening join us for games and devo time! It is so great to see and be part of their spiritual maturity! These are special times.
All of these special sweet ones - both big and small are Zambia's future! Let us continue to pray for them all!
What they are studying: Education, Development studies, Social work, Economics and two of them are vying for openings in the school of medicine at UNZA. All Godly, mature, intelligent and hard working young folks!
Babies Christmas Photo
It's not so easy to get 10 babies posing for their Christmas photo!
Rozina, Matron, Molly (twin girl - 3 1/2 years old), Abigail, Lumamba (our newest baby as of last week - Tim calls him the Blue Mamba) - being held by Timmy (Molly's twin brother), Potius, Mikey,Maakes, Abraham. Oh - and Molly is holding Cornolius - you can only see the tip of his head!
Maakes is one of our new milk baby clients who has been staying with us for a few days as he was almost a dead boy a few days ago and now - truly by the grace of God - is sitting and smiling. He no longer has diarrhea, vomiting. He is 4 kg and is 16 months old!!!! But today he is holding his own! and he's able to hold his head up on his own. He will return to the village with his 41 year old granny today (so she can plant their maize)and they'll return on January 2 so we can monitor further and put more weight on him. His is a classic and all too common case of severe, malnutrition which unfortunately the local health care system is inadequate in their response to him - and family are not doing their part either. So...we educate, support and pray!
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Family Nap Time
Tim, Cornoleus, Krista & Rozina. The two babies they want to try to sneak home in their suitcase!
Cornolius' father visits
I think the trick to uploading photos may be connecting at 05:45. We'll see if a pattern arises!
This is Cornolius' father!
Cornolius' father visits
An expectation of families of Kasensa babies is for them to visit their baby as often as possible, usually monthly. Cornolius's dad visited earlier this week. Cornolius has gained almost one whole kilogram in 3 weeks. His cheeks are quite pooched out! He came with sores on most of his body parts - and some fungus growth on his genitals. Dad was quite happy to see how he's come along and says he'll return in a month - with a plan for how and when the family will care for baby.
Tim and Krista Krogsgaard are visiting right now - and Krista has enjoyed cuddling Cornolius ++. Tim enjoys coming up with nicknames for Cornolius - i.e. corndog, cornman, cornpops, cornbread, corn syrup.
Photo will not upload today! Tried 3 x (an hour and a half of attempts)!
Tim and Krista Krogsgaard are visiting right now - and Krista has enjoyed cuddling Cornolius ++. Tim enjoys coming up with nicknames for Cornolius - i.e. corndog, cornman, cornpops, cornbread, corn syrup.
Photo will not upload today! Tried 3 x (an hour and a half of attempts)!
Saturday, December 10, 2011
World Vision Seminar - December 6, 2011
Taylor and I attended a WV workshop in Kalomo earlier this week. The topic: Strategies for exiting the community and focus on sustainability strategies.
The workshop was attended by WV employees, locally, nationally and internationally as well as local NGO's and government and non government representatives.
At the end of the day:
- NGO's must have defined plans to exit communities
-NGO's must work with exisiting structures - i.e. government, community, household to build capacity and exit strategies.
- World Vision plans for exit strategies around the 15 year mark and does a post exit follow-up a few years later
Dependence is crippling. Who would leave their child in the crib when they are ready to walk? Who would not have their child out of the crib from the time he/she is born so that development can happen normally?
More about this later!
There are many, many resources these days on development and specifically on faith based development. A few are: Tearfund UK and also Food For the Hungry international. If you are serious about helping without hurting - try these!
TIm, Krista and Ndonji
This week has been ACTIVE. Tim, Krista and Taylor have had much opportunity for learning about Zambian culture, customs and daily life.Tim and Krista were able to see their sponsored student, Ndonji - a grade 1 student at Namwianga Basic School.
They describe Ndonji as shy. Ndonji lives with Jennifer who works for Sherri Sears - one of the College English teachers. Ndonji's story is that he and his sibs were orphaned a few years ago and they were brought to Jennifer - because she was a relative and she had a job.
Jennifer is grateful for sponsorship for Ndonji because a maid's wages are not enough to support the extra 3 children that Jennifer has in her care. Jennifer is a sweet and committed Christian woman who easily brightens up anyone's day with her always cheerful smile!
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Krista at work at Kalomo Hospital
Krista and Tim are visiting! And we are very much loving every minute of their stay with us. Krista is a neonatal Intensive care nurse in Regina. On Krista's first visit to Kalomo Hospital we were asked to see two newly born premature babies - both born at 7 months gestation. With no equipment available to pump extra fluids and nutrition into their very tiny bodies (one 900 grams, the other a bit bigger) Krista went to work at teaching the basics on how to get the wee ones to nurse. So n not to tire the wee ones too much the new mom's were taught to supplement with droppers full of breastmilk and with instructions to feed like this every 2 - 3 hours. We went back every day for about 4 days and then skipped a day. After the skipped day the one baby (one in the photo) had died. It was a sad time for Krista. Why do such things happen? Kalomo Hospital does not have enough resources. They have skilled staff - although clearly not enough of them at times....Why does Kalomo Hospital not have enough resources? It doesn't take much research to find that out....I'll leave you to that. In Regina, this baby likely would still be alive.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Toronto Maple Leaf fans all over!
Does Mikey look like he really believes in the team? Oh well, it seems you can't go far without finding one of these fans.
Thanks
Tim and Krista!
Thanks
Tim and Krista!
Triplets at Kalomo Hospital
Triplets born last week at Kalomo Hospital. No tubes, no heroics - 3 healthy babies that were discharged 48 hours after birth. They left with their parents to join up with their other 3 sibs! Junior will be on the milk program.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Twaambo's Grade 9 Farewell/Graduation
Twaambo has lived at Kasensa and been with Zambia Mission Fund - Canada since he was a young boy. For several years he's lived with the Calder family and now, since they've gone to the USA he and his brother Jack, and Agness - another "orphan" has moved to live with the Siazilo family. Siazilos are a wonderful Christian, and Tonga family whom these kids have known for a long time. And Siazilos live on the farm, right next door to us - so we J, T and A every day!
Twaambo - has done very well in school. This year he was the head boy at the school and at the farewell celebration (his school has grades 1 - 9) he was honored with many awards - including the Bible award. Good work Twaambo and good work Rod and Sue Calder for the many years of care and training you invested in him.
Let's continue to pray that Twaambo makes good choices building on the foundation that he's been so blessed with!
Richard was the "guest of honor" speaker for the celebration and reminded the children that God has plans for each of them, therefore they must seek God in all that they do!
The grade 9's finished their celebration with a wonderful cooked meal from the Good Hope School Home Economics class and of course, a dance!
Thanks also to the many donors - both in the USA and Canada who have sponsored Twaambo, Jack and Agness. A very good investment, indeed!
Twaambo - has done very well in school. This year he was the head boy at the school and at the farewell celebration (his school has grades 1 - 9) he was honored with many awards - including the Bible award. Good work Twaambo and good work Rod and Sue Calder for the many years of care and training you invested in him.
Let's continue to pray that Twaambo makes good choices building on the foundation that he's been so blessed with!
Richard was the "guest of honor" speaker for the celebration and reminded the children that God has plans for each of them, therefore they must seek God in all that they do!
The grade 9's finished their celebration with a wonderful cooked meal from the Good Hope School Home Economics class and of course, a dance!
Thanks also to the many donors - both in the USA and Canada who have sponsored Twaambo, Jack and Agness. A very good investment, indeed!
November 2011 Kasensa Report
Kasensa Report – November 2011
October was HOT with some day time temperatures reaching 41C! While the rains are off to a slow start, they have started! Praise God! The cattle will soon fatten up as the yellow parched grass transforms into much better feeding grounds! To date we’ve received 44.7 mm rain. While last year this time approximately 3 times that much had fallen.
And with the onset of rain, the termites are flying by the zillions at night! As I write, the outside (and some of the inside) of the house is humming and Taylor is cooking up a few to see what they taste like. When in Zambia do as the Zambians, he says! So tonight we’ll taste – and in the morning we’ll sweep.
Babies have been coming and going this month. On November 2, Joy went home with her grandparents to the village – about 65 km. from here. Our very busy and curious Alex went home with his aunty and uncle on November 10. For a few days Molly and Timmy kept saying “he’s gone”. Where? “to Zimba!” they’d say! And then a few days later, handsome little Mikey #2 went home to be with his family. You’ll remember that Mikey’s mom had been diagnosed with TB and was so weak after delivering Mikey that she could not even get off her mat. She is doing much better now – able to cook and clean. She and husband – who also have a set of 2 year old twins and a 4 year old, will no doubt be busy, but with cousins….now out of school for December holidays there will be some additional family help!
And coming in the door was Matron and Cornolius. Matron was 4.6 kg when she was born and at 7 months is now 10.7 kg! She is much too large to pack around on anyone’s back. Today, she was crying – and I was cleaning. I hoisted her onto my hip and packed her around for awhile and then finally just had to lay her down and pat her back until she fell asleep. Matron’s 17 year old mom had surgery recently to repair a large ulcer on one of her breasts. The goal is for Matron to return to family in about a month when mom has had time to do some healing. The extended family will be caring for mom as well as Matron.
Cornolius came last week. He is 2 weeks old and weighs only 2.4 kg, a contrast to Matron. He came with sores on his body – mostly groin area, but also on his back and extremities. I’ve had him to the clinic and the hospital this week and he’s on 3 types of antibiotics trying to attack every type of possible organism. He’s beginning to eat a bit better – about 3 oz. every 3 hours. He has a ton of hair! His mom died in the village after giving birth at home. We suspect she was HIV positive and we’ll have Cornolius HIV tested as soon as possible. In the meantime, we’ll keep him on Septrin to stave off opportunistic infections.
As well, there has been much activity with the milk program. We have reached capacity – 15 babies (and their families).
Each week I spend time at the Kalomo Hospital mostly on the maternity and paediatric wards. I do this to educate myself on the most typical conditions and what treatments are available and needed and also to make relationship with the wider system. I believe greater impact of God’s work can occur through knowledge of the bigger picture and through working with all the layers of the system – individual, family and community.
What I see as all too common at the hospital is malnutrition – serious malnutrition. A few weeks ago an eight year old girl died – from malnutrition. Much education and counselling is needed. As I learn more, I am able to counsel the mom’s and dads and if needed I refer them to our milk program.
Out of this new relationship with the Kalomo Hospital staff, a few days ago – the hospital charge nurse met me at the hospital entrance and asked ZMF-C to assist the family of a 24 year old mom who had just given birth to a set of triplets – Tryness, Trustness and Junior, two girls and a boy. The babies were all of good weight (i.e. one was 2.0 kg) and went home 2 days after birth. Junior will be on our milk program because the family thinks the mom will need a bit of help! No problem. They live not far from Zimba – just off the tarred road – so hopefully, we can make a home visit in this next month.
I’m sure in Canada many of you are preparing for Christmas. For us, its hard to think of Christmas when it looks and feels like August!
While you are preparing for Christmas, I’m sure these wee ones in Zambia will be in your prayers! We are a bit out of touch with world and Canada news but we hear via BBC talk of recession still. Even though perhaps difficult financial situations in Canada exist, our country is still very wealthy. The constant struggle that folks here have for their daily bread is not at all what God intended for his people. There is much work to be done.
So, I urge all who have connection with this work to remember the ZMF-C work in your prayers. Please pray for wisdom and discernment and for energy and patience!
Our God is a good God and my prayer is that all of us together make a difference – our time in this world is short! Galatians 6: 9 and 10. “Let’s not get tired – whenever we have opportunity….”
And please continue to pray for all the babies and their families! For quick family reunification and for healthy babies!
October was HOT with some day time temperatures reaching 41C! While the rains are off to a slow start, they have started! Praise God! The cattle will soon fatten up as the yellow parched grass transforms into much better feeding grounds! To date we’ve received 44.7 mm rain. While last year this time approximately 3 times that much had fallen.
And with the onset of rain, the termites are flying by the zillions at night! As I write, the outside (and some of the inside) of the house is humming and Taylor is cooking up a few to see what they taste like. When in Zambia do as the Zambians, he says! So tonight we’ll taste – and in the morning we’ll sweep.
Babies have been coming and going this month. On November 2, Joy went home with her grandparents to the village – about 65 km. from here. Our very busy and curious Alex went home with his aunty and uncle on November 10. For a few days Molly and Timmy kept saying “he’s gone”. Where? “to Zimba!” they’d say! And then a few days later, handsome little Mikey #2 went home to be with his family. You’ll remember that Mikey’s mom had been diagnosed with TB and was so weak after delivering Mikey that she could not even get off her mat. She is doing much better now – able to cook and clean. She and husband – who also have a set of 2 year old twins and a 4 year old, will no doubt be busy, but with cousins….now out of school for December holidays there will be some additional family help!
And coming in the door was Matron and Cornolius. Matron was 4.6 kg when she was born and at 7 months is now 10.7 kg! She is much too large to pack around on anyone’s back. Today, she was crying – and I was cleaning. I hoisted her onto my hip and packed her around for awhile and then finally just had to lay her down and pat her back until she fell asleep. Matron’s 17 year old mom had surgery recently to repair a large ulcer on one of her breasts. The goal is for Matron to return to family in about a month when mom has had time to do some healing. The extended family will be caring for mom as well as Matron.
Cornolius came last week. He is 2 weeks old and weighs only 2.4 kg, a contrast to Matron. He came with sores on his body – mostly groin area, but also on his back and extremities. I’ve had him to the clinic and the hospital this week and he’s on 3 types of antibiotics trying to attack every type of possible organism. He’s beginning to eat a bit better – about 3 oz. every 3 hours. He has a ton of hair! His mom died in the village after giving birth at home. We suspect she was HIV positive and we’ll have Cornolius HIV tested as soon as possible. In the meantime, we’ll keep him on Septrin to stave off opportunistic infections.
As well, there has been much activity with the milk program. We have reached capacity – 15 babies (and their families).
Each week I spend time at the Kalomo Hospital mostly on the maternity and paediatric wards. I do this to educate myself on the most typical conditions and what treatments are available and needed and also to make relationship with the wider system. I believe greater impact of God’s work can occur through knowledge of the bigger picture and through working with all the layers of the system – individual, family and community.
What I see as all too common at the hospital is malnutrition – serious malnutrition. A few weeks ago an eight year old girl died – from malnutrition. Much education and counselling is needed. As I learn more, I am able to counsel the mom’s and dads and if needed I refer them to our milk program.
Out of this new relationship with the Kalomo Hospital staff, a few days ago – the hospital charge nurse met me at the hospital entrance and asked ZMF-C to assist the family of a 24 year old mom who had just given birth to a set of triplets – Tryness, Trustness and Junior, two girls and a boy. The babies were all of good weight (i.e. one was 2.0 kg) and went home 2 days after birth. Junior will be on our milk program because the family thinks the mom will need a bit of help! No problem. They live not far from Zimba – just off the tarred road – so hopefully, we can make a home visit in this next month.
I’m sure in Canada many of you are preparing for Christmas. For us, its hard to think of Christmas when it looks and feels like August!
While you are preparing for Christmas, I’m sure these wee ones in Zambia will be in your prayers! We are a bit out of touch with world and Canada news but we hear via BBC talk of recession still. Even though perhaps difficult financial situations in Canada exist, our country is still very wealthy. The constant struggle that folks here have for their daily bread is not at all what God intended for his people. There is much work to be done.
So, I urge all who have connection with this work to remember the ZMF-C work in your prayers. Please pray for wisdom and discernment and for energy and patience!
Our God is a good God and my prayer is that all of us together make a difference – our time in this world is short! Galatians 6: 9 and 10. “Let’s not get tired – whenever we have opportunity….”
And please continue to pray for all the babies and their families! For quick family reunification and for healthy babies!
Friday, November 25, 2011
Pigs in Taxi
You ain't seen everything yet....not until you've seen pigs being transported via taxi! Joyce, one of our "aunties" had bought 5 of our pigs and they needed to go out to her family's farm....so in came 2 taxi's. I wonder if the taxi driver stopped at a take away on the way home!
The picture is not transmitting tonight - will try another day!
The picture is not transmitting tonight - will try another day!
Molly and Timmy - how it goes!
While I continue to go back and forth between Social Services and the parents of Molly and Timmy, Molly and Timmy live out their little lives at Seven Fountains Farm. Both were recently invited to Willy Siazilos 7th birthday party and came home with plastic bags full of popcorn, buns and cake. Their tummies were too full for nsmima that night! Timmy loves to hang around the guys! He loves to sweep and will just quietly watch and try to help! Molly - recently she's come to holding babies - as if she isn't one herself. Rozina is like a little doll- so Molly holds her in her lap and mothers her. She also LOVES to mother Timmy and he mostly allows it! i.e. she cleans up his plate and cup for him...
And so far .....the many kilometres that I've driven back and forth to SS and then to Molly and Timmy's parents have yielded nothing! I'm hoping next week I can have a family meeting here (again!) We have an interested family in Lusaka for the twins, but we need the signatures of the parents to hand over authority.
Molly and Timmy's mom - Movina is expecting baby #14. They do not properly care for any of the children in their care currently. No school, no immunizations and they beg for food daily. The children hunt birds and field mice for food. (three children live with the parents - the rest are with other family members or out on their own).
And so far .....the many kilometres that I've driven back and forth to SS and then to Molly and Timmy's parents have yielded nothing! I'm hoping next week I can have a family meeting here (again!) We have an interested family in Lusaka for the twins, but we need the signatures of the parents to hand over authority.
Molly and Timmy's mom - Movina is expecting baby #14. They do not properly care for any of the children in their care currently. No school, no immunizations and they beg for food daily. The children hunt birds and field mice for food. (three children live with the parents - the rest are with other family members or out on their own).
Friday, November 18, 2011
November for the Milk Program
Florence Dwiili re-married a couple of years ago. She was sponsored in the past by Zambia Mission Fund - Canada through the Hope for Tomorrow fund. She is strong healthy and very confident! Florence re-married a few years ago to a pastor of one of the bigger churches in Kalomo. Because of Florence's health problem she chose not to breastfeed her baby. The baby is doing fine on COWBELL bottled milk as Florence is a good mother and according to her husband a very good preacher! The baby's name is Rob - that's it, just Rob. Thanks to all those who donate to the Milk Program. This month 13 others also benefitted from this program. Twalumba Maninge (Tonga - thanks) For more information on how to donate please e-mail to joanmann@telus.net We take anything and we monitor all ZMF-C activities closely!
Grade 10 Kalomo High School sponsored students get new shoes
Ruhtt Mbumwae delegated shoe shopping for the Kalomo High School grade 10 sponsored students to Taylor and I. Bata did a pretty good business this day! The school kids here all wear uniforms and the schools can be quite picky on what the uniform looks like! Bata shoes are acceptable according to KHS standards! The kids (and their families) were happy ++ and grateful! Thank you to donors of the Sponsorship Fund!
Mikey goes home
Mikey #2 as he was known to us at Kasensa went home to be with his family on November 15. He was with us for 6 weeks. His mom had been diagnosed with TB and had been so sick that she could not get her head off the pillow. In addition to Mikey, the family have a set of 2 year old twins and a 4 year old. The dad is fortunate to have a job as a labourer working for a tobacco farmer. He works 6 days a week and was not able to take time off work. One of the grannies had taken the twins and the 4 year old and the other also works full time with Namwianga - and just also happen to be ill at the time of Mikey needing care. So, we took him! And ...daily he brightened our days with his always ready smile and his twinking eyes. I can honestly tell you that I could not recognize his cry, because he was just mostly a very contented and strong baby! We shall continue to follow how Mikey does as his village, Bbello is quite close to us here.
Baby Cornolius - 2 weeks old
Kasensa welcomes baby Cornolius. He was born a couple weeks ago in the village area of Monde. His mother, 30 years old, for some reason did not go to hospital to deliver. Village births have a much higher mortality rate for babies and for moms.
The uncle of Cornolius - man on the far right - already is caring for 9 children. Can he take one more? It is not unusual for families to be swamped with children. This family is to return in December with a plan on who will be the long term caregiver for Cornolius. And...hopefully the dad also comes to the meeting.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Matron is smiling now!
It took about a week for Matron to settle in! This 22 lb. 8 month old missed her 17 year old mom! She had been breastfed right up to the moment of coming to Kasensa and when the mom developed a huge cavernous hole in one of her breasts she had to stop nursing so mom could "dry up" and qualify to get surgery(in Livingstone).
As well, Matron was fully bonded to her mom and didn't want too much to do with us strangers in this strange place.
Now....she's drinking and eating well and playing with the other babies. I think she knows she has a weight advantage and Potius also knows as she sometimes grabs this more fragile little guy and then he wails!
As well, Matron was fully bonded to her mom and didn't want too much to do with us strangers in this strange place.
Now....she's drinking and eating well and playing with the other babies. I think she knows she has a weight advantage and Potius also knows as she sometimes grabs this more fragile little guy and then he wails!
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Matron - our newest addition
Last Saturday, we received Matron. Her grandparents and relative,Ian - the dentist arrived with Matron. Matron's 17 year old mom had been fighting a very large ulcer on her breast and it wasn't healing. It was larger than a toonie and deep. She needed to stop lactating in order to qualify for surgery. Today, she's in Livingstone either getting surgery or just recovering from it. Meanwhile, Matron - back at the farm here was not happy for the first part of the week as she was going through quick withdrawl from breastfeeding to a crummy bottle loaded with cowbell formula. Sorry, Cowbell company! But...she's coming through it and we're now seeing her smile. She came to us at 10.7 kg at 7 months of age! We will only keep her as long as mom is recovering - so about a month or two. No longer. Family are all aware and will keep us posted on how the mom is doing.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Timmy and Molly's parents and 3 sibs
A routine lately has been to drive 7 km from Kalomo to see the parents of Molly and Timmy. Movina, the mom is now expecting child # 14. None of her children have had immunizations or go to school! Many of them are with relatives...or friends or even have married. Over the past few weeks I've been attempting to get them to come with me to Social Welfare office to start the process of foster care or adopting out. So far, only one visit has happened and I'm hoping another can happen next week. It is difficult to track them down as they are sometimes "gone fishin'" or scrounging for mealy meal. They have no phones! Please pray for this family as we plan for M and T and also as we think on how to best serve this family.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Kasensa October 2011
Kasensa Report - October 2011
Happy Birthday, Joy – today!
Granny is here to take her home to the village on Wednesday and for the celebration today. Going home to the village will the best birthday present she can have.
October has been a HOT month in Zambia. Some areas have had their first showers, but not here! We are eagerly waiting for God to send us showers and even thunderstorms with plenty of rain! Most days it’s around 36 - 40 degrees Celsius.
Kasensa has had much activity this month. We added 5 babies to our orphan care program and 5 to the milk program. In total, we now have 10 babies that we are providing “temporary, emergency” in - home care for and 12 whom we are assisting with the milk program.
Our capacity is 12 babies at Kasensa and 15 in the milk program.
Currently, our babies include: Rozina, Mikey 1 and Mikey 2, Abraham, Potius, Alex, Abigail and Molly and Timmy.
Passmore stayed for 3 days only. His family had met during the funeral time of Passmore’s 18 year old mother and it was decided that the grandparents in Lusaka would care for him. Passmore is so blessed to be part of this family!
A good deal of time each month is spent visiting families of the babies and trying to assist them to develop a plan on how the baby can be re-united with family ASAP. ZMF-C believes the best place for a baby to be is within the family – as the wisdom of God says in Psalms 68:6.
Each situation is different and each family has different needs and different capabilities.
We met with Rozina’s family who live near Livingstone and they are preparing themselves to take her home in the next few months. We have offered support through the milk program and with transport money.
Mikey 2’s mom’s health is slowly improving and so once she’s a bit stronger he’ll join his family at Bbello. Mikey 1 is supposed to have hernia surgery this month and if that is the case then we’ll transport him to Macha for that.
We visited with Abraham’s family this morning and mom’s health is improving. It was good to see her sitting up and now she is able to eat solid food. The 5 siblings have re-located to grandparents near Livingstone, so that the husband can focus only on caring for Josephine, the mom. They are a very nice family. Abraham will be going to Livingstone later in November. Please pray for Josephine and for her family as they struggle in so many ways.
Potius is a little character. He is a slight little guy whose dominant feature are his large jowls – like some cartooned politician I’ve seen drawn. He’s always smiling!
Alex’s brother, Modern, came a few days ago to say that the family’s plan for Alex is to stay with an uncle and aunt. They will come and collect him in a few weeks! All Alex’s siblings moved to these same relatives back in July. The aunt is the sister of Alex’s mom. Alex, you’ll remember was the son of a polygamist with 3 wives and his mom was wife #2.
Abigail’s skin continues to give her (and us) grief. She has not had any open wounds though for a few months. Taylor Procyshen, our young Canadian friend who has come for a nice long visit, brought many tubes of Eucerin and other anti-itch cream. Also, I think the oral zinc is making a difference – as her face is starting to clear nicely. We only bath her once a day – so that she doesn’t dry out too much. The scorching hot days of 36 – 41 degrees Celsius is so drying and more drying means more itchiness and more potential for scratching.
Tomorrow I will take Molly and Timmy’s parents to the Social Welfare office again for their second meeting. They will discuss options for Molly and Timmy – foster care or adoption. Whatever the outcome is, let’s pray that Molly and Timmy will soon be in the arms of a loving Christian Zambian family!
Please continue to keep Kasensa babies and their families in your prayers. The approach of reuniting baby with family as soon as possible is catching on within this community. But, how can you go wrong with Psalms 68:6?
See the zambiamissionfundcanada.org website for more information on our philosophy and practice of Orphan Care and also see krogsblog for more detailed stories and photos of the babies and of other ZMF-C events!
Sue and Richard
Happy Birthday, Joy – today!
Granny is here to take her home to the village on Wednesday and for the celebration today. Going home to the village will the best birthday present she can have.
October has been a HOT month in Zambia. Some areas have had their first showers, but not here! We are eagerly waiting for God to send us showers and even thunderstorms with plenty of rain! Most days it’s around 36 - 40 degrees Celsius.
Kasensa has had much activity this month. We added 5 babies to our orphan care program and 5 to the milk program. In total, we now have 10 babies that we are providing “temporary, emergency” in - home care for and 12 whom we are assisting with the milk program.
Our capacity is 12 babies at Kasensa and 15 in the milk program.
Currently, our babies include: Rozina, Mikey 1 and Mikey 2, Abraham, Potius, Alex, Abigail and Molly and Timmy.
Passmore stayed for 3 days only. His family had met during the funeral time of Passmore’s 18 year old mother and it was decided that the grandparents in Lusaka would care for him. Passmore is so blessed to be part of this family!
A good deal of time each month is spent visiting families of the babies and trying to assist them to develop a plan on how the baby can be re-united with family ASAP. ZMF-C believes the best place for a baby to be is within the family – as the wisdom of God says in Psalms 68:6.
Each situation is different and each family has different needs and different capabilities.
We met with Rozina’s family who live near Livingstone and they are preparing themselves to take her home in the next few months. We have offered support through the milk program and with transport money.
Mikey 2’s mom’s health is slowly improving and so once she’s a bit stronger he’ll join his family at Bbello. Mikey 1 is supposed to have hernia surgery this month and if that is the case then we’ll transport him to Macha for that.
We visited with Abraham’s family this morning and mom’s health is improving. It was good to see her sitting up and now she is able to eat solid food. The 5 siblings have re-located to grandparents near Livingstone, so that the husband can focus only on caring for Josephine, the mom. They are a very nice family. Abraham will be going to Livingstone later in November. Please pray for Josephine and for her family as they struggle in so many ways.
Potius is a little character. He is a slight little guy whose dominant feature are his large jowls – like some cartooned politician I’ve seen drawn. He’s always smiling!
Alex’s brother, Modern, came a few days ago to say that the family’s plan for Alex is to stay with an uncle and aunt. They will come and collect him in a few weeks! All Alex’s siblings moved to these same relatives back in July. The aunt is the sister of Alex’s mom. Alex, you’ll remember was the son of a polygamist with 3 wives and his mom was wife #2.
Abigail’s skin continues to give her (and us) grief. She has not had any open wounds though for a few months. Taylor Procyshen, our young Canadian friend who has come for a nice long visit, brought many tubes of Eucerin and other anti-itch cream. Also, I think the oral zinc is making a difference – as her face is starting to clear nicely. We only bath her once a day – so that she doesn’t dry out too much. The scorching hot days of 36 – 41 degrees Celsius is so drying and more drying means more itchiness and more potential for scratching.
Tomorrow I will take Molly and Timmy’s parents to the Social Welfare office again for their second meeting. They will discuss options for Molly and Timmy – foster care or adoption. Whatever the outcome is, let’s pray that Molly and Timmy will soon be in the arms of a loving Christian Zambian family!
Please continue to keep Kasensa babies and their families in your prayers. The approach of reuniting baby with family as soon as possible is catching on within this community. But, how can you go wrong with Psalms 68:6?
See the zambiamissionfundcanada.org website for more information on our philosophy and practice of Orphan Care and also see krogsblog for more detailed stories and photos of the babies and of other ZMF-C events!
Sue and Richard
Baby Monde
For now, I cannot download the photo of the baby and family who came by today to be enrolled in the milk program.
Baby is Monde - she is 8 months old and has weighed the same since about 4 months ago. Her mom has cancer and has been at UTH (University of Zambia Hospital) for the past month. Monde's dad left the family awhile back and re-married. The eldest daughter - age 19 and 2 other sibs are living with their aunt who is a widow and has about 11 kids in total in her care. The eldest sister, Gertrude, is the chief caregiver for the baby, and as well she trying very hard to complete her education. Aunty is very generous with her time and compassion! They will come monthly for milk for Monde and hopefully, Monde will now gain weight. I advised they get Monde re-tested for HIV and also request to start on Septrin - as she has frequent bouts of diarrhea.
Baby is Monde - she is 8 months old and has weighed the same since about 4 months ago. Her mom has cancer and has been at UTH (University of Zambia Hospital) for the past month. Monde's dad left the family awhile back and re-married. The eldest daughter - age 19 and 2 other sibs are living with their aunt who is a widow and has about 11 kids in total in her care. The eldest sister, Gertrude, is the chief caregiver for the baby, and as well she trying very hard to complete her education. Aunty is very generous with her time and compassion! They will come monthly for milk for Monde and hopefully, Monde will now gain weight. I advised they get Monde re-tested for HIV and also request to start on Septrin - as she has frequent bouts of diarrhea.
Joy's birthday - October 31
Happy Birthday, Joy – today!
Granny is here to take her home to the village on Wednesday and for the celebration today. Going home to the village will the best birthday present she can have.
This is a bittersweet day for the Granny - as one year ago today, her daughter died after giving birth to Joy. I'm sure she misses her!
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Taylor arrives
Taylor arrives
Thank you, James and Bonnie for the gift of allowing Taylor to be with us.
Also, thank you so much for the baby sleepers, toys, medicines…that accompanied Taylor!
Immediately, Taylor put himself to work! There is no need to ask this boy to work!
He gets up from his first night of sleep and calls Molly and Timmy to come walking with him! In the afternoon, we headed to Siabalumbi for our tutoring of the grade 6 class! The kids love him!
Last night he met some of the kids in the compound nearby. They will become his youth group gang.
This morning he accompanied Jackson to the neighbouring farm to collect some vegetables as we’ve had moths raid ours! This afternoon, Roy Moono one of our 2010 grade 12 graduates, will come by and for a few weeks to a few months will become Taylor’s mentor and translator of language and culture. Roy will stay with us as his schedule permits. He grew up at Siabalumbi, just a few km. away.
Passmore returns to his family
We believe, as God says, that the babies belong with their families - and while we realize that a family may need temporary help by keeping the baby in orphan care - the family is the best and ONLY place for an infant.
We've been praying for each of our babies - that families will discuss together the plans they have for the baby as soon as possible after leaving the baby with us - and amazing things are happening. Family discussions are taking place - here and even during the funeral time.
On Saturday, all of these family members of our new baby, Passmore arrived to announce that they'd made a decision at the funeral of Passmore's mom (the 18 year old mom who died a few days ago - described in the blog a few days ago). After some minutes with us they announced that Passmore was coming home with Francis, the Grandpa who lives in Lusaka. Francis has very good english and while the family was obviously still grieving - they were strong in the matter of looking after the wee one! Praise God for families such as this. Before they left we spent time in prayer - for healing for the family - as feelings were still extremely raw and for the life of Passmore as he grows up. Francis says soon Passmore will be on the phone to me - telling me what a good boy he is. (Passmore is only 6 months old!)
Friday, October 21, 2011
Home visits
Home Visits (picture not able to be sent, tried 3 times!)
Once a child has been placed at Kasensa by family members, an agreement is made for the family to visit monthly. Indeed, even this can be a hardship as transport fees can be difficult to find.
On Wednesday, we took a 12 km. trip off the main road from Livingstone near Sinde mission to visit with Rozina’s father and extended family to do discharge planning.
As we sat, other family members gathered until there were about a dozen or more altogether.
Rozina has 2 siblings that the grannies are caring for. The father is grieving – as it’s only been a few weeks since his wife died. She was HIV positive and he likely is as well.
At first, the father thought we’d care for Rozina for about a year and a half or even 2 years. We explained that residential (institutional) care should ever only be for a very short time – only as long as it takes for the family to re-organize themselves, as the family is the most important source of love, attention, emotional support and moral guidance. We said the most important thing that we can do is to ensure that every child has a family that is able to provide the nurturing care that every child needs.
We’d brought along Rozina’s aunt and uncle. The uncle, Joseph – is a lawyer in Kalomo. He has great English and very much understands the concepts that we are promoting. After a few minutes of discussion – the family seemed to understand and said they’ll come with a discharge plan when they visit in November.
No doubt, this family is financially strapped. They fit the definition of poverty – no reliable income – only subsistence farmers. School fees, seed, fertilizer….will be a constant struggle for them. I offered to keep Rozina on the milk program until she’s just over a year old – as she’s very tiny.
I encouraged their church to consider having a second offering each Sunday for orphans and as well to plant a field that can be used to assist orphans. Each family could bring a handful of seed at maize planting time that could collectively be sown together!
Rozy’s aunty concluded out time in prayer and then the family gave us gifts of appreciation – i.e. one live chicken and a bag of mawee! (a hard covered fruit – the insides are juicy and sweet and look like brains!)
Once a child has been placed at Kasensa by family members, an agreement is made for the family to visit monthly. Indeed, even this can be a hardship as transport fees can be difficult to find.
On Wednesday, we took a 12 km. trip off the main road from Livingstone near Sinde mission to visit with Rozina’s father and extended family to do discharge planning.
As we sat, other family members gathered until there were about a dozen or more altogether.
Rozina has 2 siblings that the grannies are caring for. The father is grieving – as it’s only been a few weeks since his wife died. She was HIV positive and he likely is as well.
At first, the father thought we’d care for Rozina for about a year and a half or even 2 years. We explained that residential (institutional) care should ever only be for a very short time – only as long as it takes for the family to re-organize themselves, as the family is the most important source of love, attention, emotional support and moral guidance. We said the most important thing that we can do is to ensure that every child has a family that is able to provide the nurturing care that every child needs.
We’d brought along Rozina’s aunt and uncle. The uncle, Joseph – is a lawyer in Kalomo. He has great English and very much understands the concepts that we are promoting. After a few minutes of discussion – the family seemed to understand and said they’ll come with a discharge plan when they visit in November.
No doubt, this family is financially strapped. They fit the definition of poverty – no reliable income – only subsistence farmers. School fees, seed, fertilizer….will be a constant struggle for them. I offered to keep Rozina on the milk program until she’s just over a year old – as she’s very tiny.
I encouraged their church to consider having a second offering each Sunday for orphans and as well to plant a field that can be used to assist orphans. Each family could bring a handful of seed at maize planting time that could collectively be sown together!
Rozy’s aunty concluded out time in prayer and then the family gave us gifts of appreciation – i.e. one live chicken and a bag of mawee! (a hard covered fruit – the insides are juicy and sweet and look like brains!)
Welcome Passmore
October 21
Kasensa is almost at capacity! We now have 11 babies which mean we have 10 families to work with!
Meet our newest wee one! This handsome boy is 6 month old Passmore. On October 19, his mom – age 18 years woke up and complained that her “stomach” was unwell. She was transported the 88 km from her village in the Siachatema area (near Kafue Park) and died en route to Kalomo hospital.
We will never know what the cause of death was and more sadly, neither will Passmore. He is a healthy boy – and at this time, due to grieving, needs lots of affection and attention. So…he’s getting it!
I will phone the family after the funeral and some additional time to grieve to set up a family meeting at Kasensa where we’ll talk discharge plans. The plan is for Kasensa to keep the child for only a short time, as the best place for the child is in the family as God says in Psalms 68:6.
Please be praying for Passmore as he grieves – and also for the family as they grieve and discuss how Passmore will be cared for within the family unit.
If you are considering donating to orphan care at Kasensa considering donating to the program in general so that not only the needs of a specific baby is met but so we can minister to the needs of the families who present to us. We spend much time and money on driving to the village to meet the family members and to also actually see with our eyes how the family is coping in terms of resources. More on that in the next blog!
welcome Potius
Potius
Another baby arrived on October 18! His name is Potius. Yes, Potius! When I asked the granny the name at first she said “Potiphar”. I thought – “okay, that’s a bit unusual, but fine – hello Potiphar!” Then she shook her head and said “no, Potius!” Okay, That is unusual! When I brought him home the aunties said “Potius???”
Potius is 6 months old. His mom died a week ago; she was HIV positive.
He came to us with oral thrush. We have all our babies tested for HIV and until we get results we keep them on Septra. We can test after 6 months if the first test is negative, then we retest at about 1 year. Results are not always accurate for a few reasons.
At first, Potius would not take a bottle as he had just come off of breastfeeding a few weeks ago and wasn’t used to it. But now, he’s eating very well.
Please pray for Potius and his family as they grieve and as they discuss how they will re-organize so they can care for him!
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Joy's family
It seems some photos are making it through! It takes at least 8 or 9 minutes to download.
Joy - now 10 months old is visited by family, an aunty monthly. The aunt and uncle live at Mawaya compound in Kalomo. They have 4 children and the last one - an 8 month old boy is in a cast to try to repair what looks like club foot. Eunice, the aunt sells vegetables at times and the uncle, Rick - sells clothes in the market. Their neighbourhood is very poor and I'd have to guess that most adults never completed high school. They have very few resources, but family is family. Eunice and Rick are organizing a family meeting that will include the granny from Livingstone. The meeting is set for october 22.
Please be praying for Joy and her family that someone will make a plan to take her home where she needs to be!
Joy - now 10 months old is visited by family, an aunty monthly. The aunt and uncle live at Mawaya compound in Kalomo. They have 4 children and the last one - an 8 month old boy is in a cast to try to repair what looks like club foot. Eunice, the aunt sells vegetables at times and the uncle, Rick - sells clothes in the market. Their neighbourhood is very poor and I'd have to guess that most adults never completed high school. They have very few resources, but family is family. Eunice and Rick are organizing a family meeting that will include the granny from Livingstone. The meeting is set for october 22.
Please be praying for Joy and her family that someone will make a plan to take her home where she needs to be!
Abraham's family and planning for discharge
Hi all
For the past 2 weeks zamtel has had very poor service, either being no service or a weak connection. Pictures just will not send - neither will large documents of any kind.
This past week we had a couple of days in Lusaka doing business. Lusaka is such a busy city, these days. Much traffic!
Our orphan count is still at 9. Having 9 orphans means working with 9 families - but in this case its 8 families because of our set of twins, Molly and Timmy.
We do home visits regularly to keep assessing the needs of the family and the readiness of them being able to take their wee one home. This afternoon, Sunday, we visited Abraham's family and fortunately, Geoffrey's 3 sisters from Livingstone were visiting so we could have a short family meeting. Geoffrey and Josephine are Abraham's parents and they have 5 children, Abraham being the youngest. We've had Abraham for a few weeks and now the family need to talk about who will care for Abraham. It seems the the relatives on Josephine's are not interested in helping the family, for reasons that are not coming to the surface. Both of Abraham's parents have HIV and that may be the reason. Geoffrey's 3 sisters return today to L'stone but they will discuss between them who can/will care for Abraham and I'm suggesting that he return to a family member in a few weeks. The 3 sisters are all financially able and capable of caring for Abraham. I fear that Josephine's life is coming to an end - so this discussion needs to take place now and I would think that it may be a comfort to Josephine to know that her precious last born is placed with family.
Will keep you posted on how this rolls out.
For the past 2 weeks zamtel has had very poor service, either being no service or a weak connection. Pictures just will not send - neither will large documents of any kind.
This past week we had a couple of days in Lusaka doing business. Lusaka is such a busy city, these days. Much traffic!
Our orphan count is still at 9. Having 9 orphans means working with 9 families - but in this case its 8 families because of our set of twins, Molly and Timmy.
We do home visits regularly to keep assessing the needs of the family and the readiness of them being able to take their wee one home. This afternoon, Sunday, we visited Abraham's family and fortunately, Geoffrey's 3 sisters from Livingstone were visiting so we could have a short family meeting. Geoffrey and Josephine are Abraham's parents and they have 5 children, Abraham being the youngest. We've had Abraham for a few weeks and now the family need to talk about who will care for Abraham. It seems the the relatives on Josephine's are not interested in helping the family, for reasons that are not coming to the surface. Both of Abraham's parents have HIV and that may be the reason. Geoffrey's 3 sisters return today to L'stone but they will discuss between them who can/will care for Abraham and I'm suggesting that he return to a family member in a few weeks. The 3 sisters are all financially able and capable of caring for Abraham. I fear that Josephine's life is coming to an end - so this discussion needs to take place now and I would think that it may be a comfort to Josephine to know that her precious last born is placed with family.
Will keep you posted on how this rolls out.
ZMF-C brochure for families when baby arrives at Kasensa
Hi all,
This blog is the brochure that families can receive when they leave a baby with us at Kasensa. We want families to know and understand that the best place for their baby is with their own family and that we are so willing to help the family to get the baby back as soon as they can. We can assist by putting baby on milk program or by supplying mealie meal or ....I've been trying to post photos, but due to our slow connection, they are not uploading. Will keep trying!
God places the lonely in families - Psalm 68:6
ZMF-C recognizes the stress that your family is
experiencing at this time and we pray for your healing. We desire to be sensitive to the needs of your family
and want to assist you with the wisdom that only God can provide.
Kasensa staff recognizes that sometimes residential
orphan care is needed as a temporary response for infants who have no other means of support.
The goal of the temporary, emergency orphan care at Kasensa, is to care for the infant only for a short
period of time while the family prepares itself for the baby to return home.
ZMF-C believes that it is in the best interest of the infant’s development to be raised in the most natural, nurturing environment - the family. Research has
proven that infants raised in family environments develop better emotionally, socially and physically compared to those who stay for extended time in orphan care homes.
ZMF-C desires the best for the infant and the family. Therefore, ZMF-C policy requires that all families visit their “baby” monthly and that discharge planning be discussed at each visit.
ZMF-C will do at least one home visit. We encourage family members to visit their baby overnight from time to time to assist with
family-baby bonding.
At time of discharge at least one family member must be prepared to spend 3 nights at Kasensa to assist with bonding.
ZMF-C is open to discussing other ways to assist families so that baby can return to live with family as soon as possible.
Please read ZMF-C vision, mission and values as well as Kasensa orphan care program description.
This blog is the brochure that families can receive when they leave a baby with us at Kasensa. We want families to know and understand that the best place for their baby is with their own family and that we are so willing to help the family to get the baby back as soon as they can. We can assist by putting baby on milk program or by supplying mealie meal or ....I've been trying to post photos, but due to our slow connection, they are not uploading. Will keep trying!
God places the lonely in families - Psalm 68:6
ZMF-C recognizes the stress that your family is
experiencing at this time and we pray for your healing. We desire to be sensitive to the needs of your family
and want to assist you with the wisdom that only God can provide.
Kasensa staff recognizes that sometimes residential
orphan care is needed as a temporary response for infants who have no other means of support.
The goal of the temporary, emergency orphan care at Kasensa, is to care for the infant only for a short
period of time while the family prepares itself for the baby to return home.
ZMF-C believes that it is in the best interest of the infant’s development to be raised in the most natural, nurturing environment - the family. Research has
proven that infants raised in family environments develop better emotionally, socially and physically compared to those who stay for extended time in orphan care homes.
ZMF-C desires the best for the infant and the family. Therefore, ZMF-C policy requires that all families visit their “baby” monthly and that discharge planning be discussed at each visit.
ZMF-C will do at least one home visit. We encourage family members to visit their baby overnight from time to time to assist with
family-baby bonding.
At time of discharge at least one family member must be prepared to spend 3 nights at Kasensa to assist with bonding.
ZMF-C is open to discussing other ways to assist families so that baby can return to live with family as soon as possible.
Please read ZMF-C vision, mission and values as well as Kasensa orphan care program description.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Meet Rozina
Rozina - 6 months old. Her mom died 2 weeks ago. Rozina is small - about 1/2 the weight of our 3 month old, Michael. She is about as sweet as they come and is a real squirmer. She reminds me of Erin Kareen Ulrich when she was very small - except Erin was a bit lighter skinned!
Baby Michael #2
Baby Michael - 3 months old! He's a big one! 15 lbs! His mom has TB and Dad has a job working 6 days a week at a tobacco farm. There are a few sibs and one granny is not well enough to care for baby and the other one looks after the sibs. We'll keep Michael only until mom is feeling better.As long as he has a bottle always ready, he's happy!
kasensa sept 2011
Kasensa - October 2011
Greetings from Joy, Timmy, Abigail, Molly, Alex and Michael (pictured above) and Jack, Twaambo and Aggie and our new wee ones – Rozina and Michael.
Richard and I returned to Zambia at the start of September. Kasensa was well cared for in June and July by Wes and Doreen Mann and then until we returned by Albert and Marianne and their adult children and spouses. Great work everyone!
Kasensa’s number of children was reduced at the end of 2010 during the transition time of the Calders family leaving but is now starting to creep up. Last week 2 babies were added: Rozina and Mikey #2. As well, one more – Abraham - is possibly coming today. The mom is HIV +ve and very physically depleted. Her cd4 count is extremely low and she’s on antibiotics for some opportunistic infections.
Jack and Twaambo have been preparing for their big exams – grade 7 for Jack and grade 9 for Twaambo. Twaambo is very serious about his performance and Richard has been tutoring him and his friend Colin some afternoons in mathematics.
Aggie – being the teenage girl she is loves to spend lots of time with her girlfriends. She is quite helpful in the Sunday school program and helps in the kitchen here on Saturdays.
Joy has started crawling and she is a joy. She has the best smile! Abigail keeps us busy trying to keep her skin in tact. She was the worst case of eczema that I’ve seen. We slather eucerin on her many times a day and also apply hydrocortisone 1% . If anyone knows of better ways to treat extreme eczema please send us additional information. She’s been tested twice for HIV and so far is negative. But…we shall test again when she’s over a year old. She baby talks in a raspy voice! A doctor visited us last week and he said likely she’ll become asthmatic as time goes on. He couldn’t think of anything we could add to her slathering regime.
Molly and Timmy are now 3 years and 3 months. I’ve seen their parents many times now and they are very incapable of caring for them. Other family members have also failed to take responsibility for them. So…what to do? We are praying for a Zambian family to open their arms very wide for these 2!
Michael needs to have hernia surgery soon – so maybe we can get that scheduled yet for October or early November. Alex is a busy 15 month old boy! He has a sweet smile – but he is tricky! He keeps the aunties hopping. When music is put on he jumps to action and starts dancing. We have discharge planning meetings set up with family in two weeks time with Alex’s family and as well, Joy’s family.
Rozina came to us last week. She’s 6 ½ months old, but is so tiny! She’s a spry and very alert wee one. Her mom died 2 weeks ago and the family just do not have the capacity to look after her. I spoke with an uncle today – a lawyer. He and his wife have raised 12 children and they also now care for several of the grandchildren. He was at the funeral for Rozina’s mom and assessed that if Rozina stayed with the family she would be neglected and likely also die soon. The uncle plans to accompany me to the family village in about 3 weeks.
Michael (2) is 31/2 months old and he’s quite opposite of Rozina. He’s a brick! He’s already 15 lbs. Both parents are alive – but mom is very sick with TB and cannot seem to get her strength back as they also have a set of 2 year old twins and a 4 year old. The dad works full time for a tobacco farmer, which means 6 days a week of long hours. The grannies are not strong enough to care for the twins, the 4 year old and the new baby.
Prayer
Thank you Lord for these precious ones! Each one is uniquely created by you!
We grieve with the ones whose mom’s have died and for those who are separated from their families because of sickness. We pray Lord that we can help ease their loneliness and that we can be the best substitute parents that we can possibly be.
Also, God we pray for the families of all of these wee ones. We pray that each family can be preparing to receive them home and that we can have much wisdom as we work with each family. We pray for wisdom to know how to best help in each situation.
Thank you God for your protection and for your guidance!
Lovingly,
Kasensa staff
Greetings from Joy, Timmy, Abigail, Molly, Alex and Michael (pictured above) and Jack, Twaambo and Aggie and our new wee ones – Rozina and Michael.
Richard and I returned to Zambia at the start of September. Kasensa was well cared for in June and July by Wes and Doreen Mann and then until we returned by Albert and Marianne and their adult children and spouses. Great work everyone!
Kasensa’s number of children was reduced at the end of 2010 during the transition time of the Calders family leaving but is now starting to creep up. Last week 2 babies were added: Rozina and Mikey #2. As well, one more – Abraham - is possibly coming today. The mom is HIV +ve and very physically depleted. Her cd4 count is extremely low and she’s on antibiotics for some opportunistic infections.
Jack and Twaambo have been preparing for their big exams – grade 7 for Jack and grade 9 for Twaambo. Twaambo is very serious about his performance and Richard has been tutoring him and his friend Colin some afternoons in mathematics.
Aggie – being the teenage girl she is loves to spend lots of time with her girlfriends. She is quite helpful in the Sunday school program and helps in the kitchen here on Saturdays.
Joy has started crawling and she is a joy. She has the best smile! Abigail keeps us busy trying to keep her skin in tact. She was the worst case of eczema that I’ve seen. We slather eucerin on her many times a day and also apply hydrocortisone 1% . If anyone knows of better ways to treat extreme eczema please send us additional information. She’s been tested twice for HIV and so far is negative. But…we shall test again when she’s over a year old. She baby talks in a raspy voice! A doctor visited us last week and he said likely she’ll become asthmatic as time goes on. He couldn’t think of anything we could add to her slathering regime.
Molly and Timmy are now 3 years and 3 months. I’ve seen their parents many times now and they are very incapable of caring for them. Other family members have also failed to take responsibility for them. So…what to do? We are praying for a Zambian family to open their arms very wide for these 2!
Michael needs to have hernia surgery soon – so maybe we can get that scheduled yet for October or early November. Alex is a busy 15 month old boy! He has a sweet smile – but he is tricky! He keeps the aunties hopping. When music is put on he jumps to action and starts dancing. We have discharge planning meetings set up with family in two weeks time with Alex’s family and as well, Joy’s family.
Rozina came to us last week. She’s 6 ½ months old, but is so tiny! She’s a spry and very alert wee one. Her mom died 2 weeks ago and the family just do not have the capacity to look after her. I spoke with an uncle today – a lawyer. He and his wife have raised 12 children and they also now care for several of the grandchildren. He was at the funeral for Rozina’s mom and assessed that if Rozina stayed with the family she would be neglected and likely also die soon. The uncle plans to accompany me to the family village in about 3 weeks.
Michael (2) is 31/2 months old and he’s quite opposite of Rozina. He’s a brick! He’s already 15 lbs. Both parents are alive – but mom is very sick with TB and cannot seem to get her strength back as they also have a set of 2 year old twins and a 4 year old. The dad works full time for a tobacco farmer, which means 6 days a week of long hours. The grannies are not strong enough to care for the twins, the 4 year old and the new baby.
Prayer
Thank you Lord for these precious ones! Each one is uniquely created by you!
We grieve with the ones whose mom’s have died and for those who are separated from their families because of sickness. We pray Lord that we can help ease their loneliness and that we can be the best substitute parents that we can possibly be.
Also, God we pray for the families of all of these wee ones. We pray that each family can be preparing to receive them home and that we can have much wisdom as we work with each family. We pray for wisdom to know how to best help in each situation.
Thank you God for your protection and for your guidance!
Lovingly,
Kasensa staff
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Students Raise Money to Help Zambian Babies
Students Raise Money to Help Zambian Babies
On more than one occasion, we have written about our Milk Formula Program, and how it helps babies when moms are not able to nurse their children. This time, we want to recognize one special group of donors that have contributed to this program – Saskatchewan school students.
1. The students at Balcarres Community School in Saskatchewan, Canada have made a wonderful donation. Led by the Junior SLT, the K-6 students, a few high school students, and the staff participated in a fundraiser that involved filling baby bottles with coins. Each class was given one baby bottle, and the students donated coins, attempting to fill their baby bottles as many times as possible. In the end, $918.42 was donated. This included 15,600 pennies, and the total weight of the coins was more than160 pounds. Balcarres teacher, Katy Hillier, visited Zambia in July 2010 as part of a small education team organized by Zambia Mission Fund-Canada. It was during her visit that she learned of the need for more donations to the Milk Formula Program.
Great work, Balcarres Community School! Your help is much appreciated by Zambia Mission Fund-Canada and by several Zambian families, but especially by babies who are happy and healthy.
2. Sarah Slywka, a grade 5 teacher at Balgonie Elementary School, also visited Zambia in 2010, participating in the education mission. After returning to her classroom in Balgonie, Mrs. Slywka shared much of her experience with her students who became excited about learning about the lives of children in Zambia. Mrs. Slywka’s grade 5 class has partnered up with a grade 7 class at Good Hope Christian Community School. These two classes are now learning about each others lives by writing letters back and forth. Jack, a grade 7 student who lives with us, is one of the students involved in this partnership. He has enjoyed receiving and sending letters. When we return home in June, we will carry with us a parcel of letters from the Zambia students.
Two of the grade 5 girls in Mrs. Slywka’s class took their learning to the next level during the winter months. After hearing about the need for donations for the Milk Program, the girls decided to get involved and to make a difference. They raised money by shovelling sidewalks. When their mission was completed, they had raised $160.00. Great Work Girls! The world becomes a better place when people decided to get involved with helping others.
Thank you to the students at both schools for your help in providing milk formula for Zambian babies.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Kelvin Musole's big question
My Big Question is: why are there so many orphaned children? UNICEF estimates that there are approximately 145 million orphaned children in the world! That is crazy! why? and what is my role in that? These are my big questions?Kelvin also has some big questions.
Recently, Richard and I hosted abougt 10 of our college sponsored kids at the farm for 10 days while they did their volunteer work for ZMF-C. (education is not free!). We shared some meals together and devos every night.
One devo activity I did with these ever so progressive thinking and hopeful young adults is to ask them to think carefully and write down what they consider their "big questions in life".
Many interesting questions were tackled including "who will be the right mate for me?" (college kids!!)
Kelvin's question: Why is it so hard for some people to get what they want in life and for other everything just seems to come their way?
I think my question and Kelvin's are somewhat similar. Maybe. Both Kelvin's parents were killed in an auto accident when he was 6 years old. He has one young brother and not many other close relatives. He grew up at Zyangale village area and performed VERY well at Basic school and so was chosen to be in the ZMF-C sponsorship program. He also did well at Zimba High School so was accepted into Evelyn Hone College.
Now, Kelvin is studying Library Technology and there are still many obstacles. For the first term of 2100 Kelvin found that he was among 7,000 pupils at the college and only 2,000 get accomodation. So...what does a village kid do? He becomes a squatter. But....because of so many squatters he managed only to be able to store his luggage in a kid's room and slept most of the term on the floors of the school classrooms. And he had to pay K250,000 just to store his luggage! He was so distraught - he asked me to come with him to school for the start of this term to plead on his behalf to administration so that he can at least have a 1/2 bed to sleep on. (kids here have twin size mattresses and share with others!)
Richard and I have 4 adult children who have all gone through college of some kind. None have ever had to sleep on the classroom floor, or even worry about if they could go, thanks to the gov't of Sask and Canada and mom and dad.
We are blessed, they are blessed - our country is blessed!
So...Kelvin's question? WHY does it come so easy for Tiffany, ....and not for Kelvin? Why is she not an orphan who has fallen through the huge cracks (caverns) and has to struggle every day???? Somehow, its not fair for Kelvin at all.
The answer as far as I can see is that we live in a fallen world. Because of that, children suffer - all mankind suffers actually. Our own children are not exempt, although life looks pretty easy for them compared to Kelvin.
Life in North America and other developed areas of the world appears "satisfied" and " okay" on the surface - but there isn't a week that doesn't go by that I hear of someone who has died of cancer or someone is acting fairly stupid and leaving their family for another "love" of their life. I worked as a mental health nurse for 37 years and our ward was never empty - not even at Christmas. People feel sad and empty and suicidal - from all walks of life - doctors, lawyers, singers, politicians.
I think its important to look at the big picture. Ask the questions, come up with your own answers - but mine is that I need to know where I am, where I am going and how I'm getting there and to make a difference along the way.
Jesus - our Saviour did not plan for everyone to suffer - choices have been made and are still being made.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Thanks Alberta ladies for the baby bundles!
Village women who come to Kasensa house for aid for their babies appreciate the baby bundles that the Alberta ladies put together! This woman was overwhelmed and grateful for the gift. She cannot nurse her baby. She has a strange and rare condition where she doesn't actually have any nipples. I checked myself and she has aereola, but only indentations where there should be a nipple. This baby was surviving on cow's milk - which was okay, but recently the cows had become diseased. She will come again on the 15th of this month and we'll see how they are progressing!
Thanks Alberta ladies and keep up the good work - it makes a huge difference for the village people and they really do appreciate!
Aggie's family
Agness Siachobe's family comes from a family compound about an hour's walk from the village of Simpweze.
Simon Siachobe has 3 wives and they all have had many children. Some of the children have died and some of them have left kids behind for the grandparents to raise.
Agness's mother died shortly after childbirth and the dad left and never returned. Agness inherited HIV from her parents. She was started on ART when she was a very young girl - but she was almost dead when brought to Kasensa as a very young girl. Today, she is 13 years old and as I type she is repairing her school bag as term 2 starts tomorrow!
Simon Siachobe married the 3 wives before he became a Christian and then...he just kept the wives. Polygamy has many challenges and one is always how to only have one wife when you've married 3! (or more).
The family that remain are VERY hardworking and diligent and walking into their compound is like arriving at the garden of Eden! Bananas, mango, guava, oranges, limes, lemons, and even 2 apple trees. As well, maize, groundnuts, monkey nuts, melons....and cattle. Jonah, Aggies' uncle who is 30 year old and very articulate and a true gentleman toured us around and introduced us to the grannies (who are healthy and strong) and the various cousins and other kin....
What is Aggie's future? She is in grade 3, quite delayed at school related to damaged ear drums, related to infections as a baby (due to HIV). In the past year she's had both ear drums repaired at Beit Cure Hospital in Lusaka and she can even hear us whisper! But...she's got lots of catching up to do at school. This week I'll speak with her teachers at school and perhaps in the future she will be able to go to a boarding school and learn some other great life skills!
Timmy visits during holiday
Timmy Mbambiko - one of "our boys" has been staying with us on the school holiday. We've had lots of fun and he's a ton of help! Today, he cut Jack and Twaambo's hair just in time for the start of term 2 tomorrow!
He helped Richard sort through storage sheds and organize +++. He also is good at making our evening nsima and most importantly being a spiritual leader throughout each day!
Thanks Timmy!
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