Emmah

Emmah arrived at Kasensa on July 6, 2 days after her mom died. Family seemed to be supportive of Emmah - although they've not yet visited Emmah since day of admission. The "uncle" lives at Siabalumbi and so that gives us great opportunity to speak with and educate family on importance of Emmah being with family instead of Kasensa.
Talks with family will begin next week by Osco and ourselves. If strengthening of that family is straight-forward then I will expect Emmah to be discharged from Kasensa soon.

Emmah is VERY healthy and just about as sweet as any infant baby can be. She is a favourite of visitors as she also, like Fanwell, enjoys being held and motivates us with her sweet smiles.

Fanwell

Fanwell is now 3 months - born June 21

Fanwell arrived at Kasensa weighing 1.7 kg., mom had died 9 days after giving birth and other family members apparently not being able to adequately care for him.

He is now over 4 kgs and is smiling and interacting very well! He is a good smiler and is strong on his legs. He loves be carried around - and is often seen on any of the "aunties" backs.

This next week we plan to visit his family in Kalomo and work on discharge planning. He is well and if family can care for him then he can go home. If family cannot care for him, we'll look further for family members who can or look for ways to strengthen family so they can care for him.

Our goal for all the babies we have is for them to be with family as soon as it safe to do so - that is actually not our goal - it is God's goal ~ for God places the lonely in families, not at Kasensa!

And....now that we have the services of Osco Moondomo for a few months, a recently graduated Social Worker from UNZA, we will have the extra benefit of good family assessments and discharge planning!

Osco was sponsored by ZMF-C as a secondary student and during his UNZA years. He is, of course, waiting to be scooped up by the government or some other employer!

The reading "competition"

Yesterday saw us at the Reading Competition at Nalubumba organized by the teachers at Good Hope, Siabalumbi, Nalubumba and 7Fountains Farm grade 1 and pre-school as well as Ruhtt Mbumwae. 

From each grade a reader and a writer was chosen to represent their school. Bibles were awarded to best overall readers and pencils, notebooks to the best writers. The main objective was to leave all who attended (the whole school population at Nalubumba) and the contestants and teachers at the other schools) with a goal of working harder to learn to read and write! 

Following, the event the Nalubumba staff fed all those who had travelled with a nice lunch! (at 16 hrs!)

Learning to read and write in English is essential for many reasons - especially in being able to do well in the government exams which take place soon for the grade 7's, 9's and 12's. 

So....good work Mrs. M and all the pupils. 

These schools have all been assisted by ZMF-C donors - so good work on you as well and may God continue to bless the hard work of every one involved. 

Tracy Tembo receives her prize! 

All for HIS glory! 

Sue 

Hot days!

Rozina and Faith were enjoying a bit of water play the other day! Well, maybe mostly Rozina was enjoying. She starting watering Roydah's feet and anything else around after she got the idea of playing with the water.

This morning at 06:20 hours it is 22 celsius. Last night at 9 pm it was 30 degrees on the verandah.

Yesterday, in the canter with the windows unopened b/c of a mechanical problem - it was above 45 celsius, I'm sure, but no exact way to measure except buckets of sweat overcoming us. As we slowly drove, we'd open the doors periodically to let some air in. We figure the rattling on the washboard dust road disconnected the auto window opening feature!
A cool shower at home almost removed most layers of the sweat!

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Abigail goes home to family!!

Abigail has been at Kasensa 2 years and 9 months! She is the little gal seated on her dad's lap on the far right. Beside her is her cousin, Grace - who will now be her sister! Jan and Christine (couple on the far left at the back) will now raise Abi as their own daughter. They have 2 biological little girls - Grace - 4 years old and Judy - 10 months.

There have been MANY family meetings and discussions, especially over the past few months. The father is not in a position to raise Abigail, but....Jan (father's brother) and Christine are able and willing! They have a decent house, and a small shop and they want what is best for Abigail. Abi's father is agreeable to all of this and agrees to see Abi often and as well to provide financially as his "piece" work allows.

Also included in the photo is Moreen (with baby in front row)- Jan and Abi's dad's sister. Moreen is caring for Abi's 7 year old sister in a village some distance from Kalomo. As well, a 1/2 sister of Abigail is in the middle of the photo (with a hat on). She lives in Mawaya near Jan and Christine and so will be dropping in regularly to visit Abi as well.

Our meetings went very well and we reminded each other how important families are and that Kasensa's main aim is to strengthen families so the orphans and vulnerable children can grow and develop into healthy citizens and children of God. As well, we desire strong families to improve Zambia's foundation and global position!

Before Abi left Kasensa we held a special devotion time of songs and prayer and then photo! (Next blog!)

Spring cleaning

During the first couple of weeks we've been back in Zambia we've been doing spring cleaning, getting organized before we dig into the many tasks that fall into running Kasensa.

The school children who live nearby helped with cleaning furniture. Indeed many hands make light work. Following the hard work they were treated with ice-cream, strawberries (from the garden) and chocolate! And then of course, they were looking for more work! (we found some!)

Mapenzi's first birthday - September 7
Not sure how to blow - we should practice these things!

We had balloons and gifts and singing! And the chocolate cake was a hit with all - even the visitors who just happened to show up at cake time!

Mapenzi's mom, Veronica died when Mapenzi was 2 weeks old. Veronica was cycling to the clinic to get Mapenzi's BCG (TB vaccine) when she collapsed and died. The 12 year old brother was the only other person with mom and babe at the time. Mapenzi has 4 older brothers ~ so will have to find out where they are staying and how all of them are doing.

Mapenzi has taken her first steps, has definitely bonded with Rose - our full time GAP year student volunteer and has a very spontaneous smile! She giggles and makes some kind of words! Her development is very good - she too just needs to be with family.

Fanwell is now 10 weeks old, born June 21, 2013
His mom died June 30th. He was 1.7 kg at birth. It is a miracle that he's alive!

He is on nevirapine and septrin for now. The HIV test was done a few weeks ago. Measures to reduce HIV include anti-retroviral prophylaxis (i.e. nevirapine). The septrin (antibiotic) serves to reduce possibility of acquiring infections that may occur due to possible depressed immune system.

Fanwell's family visited this past Saturday!
They were so pleased that he is now 4.0 kg! Aunt Juliet is unable to care for Fanwell due to caring for a 14 year old cerebral palsy child at home. We shall connect with her in Kalomo where she lives. The other aunt, Mwaaka, who lives in Livingstone, appears to have a fair number of children at home and we'll further assess the family situation and be teaching that the best place for every child is within the family home!

Hillary (in red shirt) has been taking a leadership role during the school holiday of August! Hillary lives within Seven Fountains Farm with his relative, Victor - who is a builder for SFF and the neighbouring farm.

Hillary had a very poor academic foundation - and had no chance of education until Taylor Proceshyn visited and agreed to privately sponsor Hillary if Hillary "promised" to work hard and also take on some leadership role within his church and community.

Hillary has not failed. The kids in the compound listen closely to Hillary. They've found many guava trees that had been neglected and they've been watering and protecting from cows who sometimes venture into the compound where they live.

How do those cows venture in?? Hillary along with Biswell - a young man in teacher training, have repaired the holes in the fence this holiday!!

As well, kids have been keeping the compound VERY clean picking up scraps of every kind and dumping them into the  garbage pits.

As well, Hillary has been gathering the kids and practicing skits, songs, memory verses and he drills with them with pretty complicated physical exercises! Some of this I have on video - for later!

Until next time - Thanks Taylor and thanks Hillary for working hard at your education and being a role model within your community!

Riffan's baptism

Last Sunday after church Riffan was baptized in the water reservoir in the garden - not far from the church. Reffan is Joyce's son. Joyce was one of the baby caregivers until a few months ago when she moved closer to her parents.

The reservoir wall is about 7 feet tall - all sizes of folks crowded the rim of the brick wall to participate in welcoming Riffan into the family of God!

FYI - the reservoir was cleaned the day before - b/c it was time, not knowing about the upcoming baptism. It still appears a bit green - but ....much clearer than a few days before!