Kalomo High School gr. 12 "graduation" party for sponsored students

On Friday, Ruhtt and Shepherd organized a party for the ZMF-C sponsored students. They were treated to a fantastic chicken dinner and awarded prizes for great academic and moral achievements.

The deputy head teacher and another staff member attended and expressed their gratitude of ZMF-C working with Kalomo High School.

They especially noted the great work of Mrs. Mbumwae, the coordinator, for her excellence towards academic achievements!

Independence Day 2013

Lillian, Mandalena, Fanwell, Emmah, Vigness 

And in the corner of the photo is Osco with the drum. Tie on a chitenge and the party starts! Our celebrations were small in comparison to contests, dramas, games and food at the schools!

A gift to Kasensa for looking after Mapenzi

Mapenzi's aunty Jennifer presented ZMF-C, Kasensa with this basket made by Mapenzi's maternal granny!

The family appreciates the care that Kasensa has provided.

Granny is an artist! I've asked that the family bring many more baskets and because Kasensa is closer to the tarmac where more folks with more money live and where more non-Zambian visitors come we will sell them for her.

Anyone want a basket or a tray? Put your order in now!

The rain contest! October 23

We've been waiting! It's been hot! Weeks of 35 - 40 celsius and we are a landlocked country, so there is no nice ocean coolness. Some of us go almost crazy! Some of us are there even in the cool weather...:)

So...to loosen up tension that can be caused from too much heat - I run a "guess when the rains will start" contest. 

On the white board each of us announces our best guess. 

The white board was completely filled - no one,  not even Fanwell or Emmah misses out on this opportunity - even though these 4 month old wee ones will not partake of the chocolate cake! 

This year Mandalena was the winner. She took the cake home and her family all danced! 
And, for us here who "lost" we still ate cake as its not much fun being a loser in the chocolate cake contest.

By the way, we rec'd 5 mm and Lusaka had about 4 times that much....but all is okay - we enjoyed and rejoiced.  

God is in control and as always is reliable. The rains are coming....

Mapanza village - home visit #2 for Mapenzi

Friday saw us at Mapanza along with both sides of Mapenzi's family. 
After some interesting conversation there was unity in the decision that Mapenzi should grow up at her father's household. 

Dad is 32 years old, has 2 remaining wives and 6 children under the age of 7. Granny lives in the same "household" (consists of a hut for each wife and one a distance away for granny). Granny will be the main caregiver. She is 4 years older than me....

Starting with a prayer, Osco, our ZMF-C social worker, green shirt, facilitated along with Richard and I to achieve some consensus keeping in mind Mapenzi's immediate and longer term development. 

Single or double orphans are at much higher risk for neglect, abuse and other deadly effects.   

Family will come when aunty feels healthy enough to make the trip - maybe in a couple of weeks. 

Keep praying for these village kids. The risks are high that they will not survive until their 5th birthday. 

PS - we are grateful +++ to donors as fuel to make these important family visits is very expensive. But....the kids need to be with family. As well, we arrange for Osco to make follow-up visits as the social welfare system is under resourced. We - all of us - donors included - have invested much into Mapenzi's beginnings. Let's continue...

Kalomo High church

We worshipped a few sundays ago with the Kalomo High School kids. These are only the ZMF-C sponsored kids.

They do the whole service. Preach, sing, teach, communion, choir.....

We are always inspired and amazed!

Kid Power!


Its 06:50 - Walking a couple of km., Lastone, a grade 8 students, has just brought me a gift of masuku! maninge masuku! His family are showing thanks after I noticed Lastone's young brother having a serious eye infection. They've gone to the clinic, rec'd medicine and also we've taken steps to get the borehole back to working order.
The infection has been off and on for several years. If the infection persists he'll be referred to Zimba eye clinic about 50 km. down the road.

I filled Lastone's bucket with fresh avacado from his tree and he also gave me a mauwee - a very hard shelled fruit on the outside with kind of slimy, bitter fruit on the inside. All "natural". Some people call  the fruit monkey brains b/c it resembles brain segments inside. Lovely! So sweet of this family.

Showing appreciation is healthy for the soul - another proverb!

Heintz Mueller retires at age 90

Heintz and Ruth are truly inspirational - in their faith, in their marriage and in their service to God.

They came from Germany many years ago to be with their son Klause and daughter - in - law and their 3 g/children in Zambia. They live on the next farm, Twin Fountains where Klaus, for many years has run an agriculture school.

Heintz was very interested in seeing that the school nearby was functioning - in all aspects - but most importantly spiritually. He wanted the teachers and children to be able to read, write, and mostly, to know Jesus.

He has worked hard - along with several staff and people on the that farm and with the Government.

We were invited to celebrate Heintz's hard work and his retirement.

There were speeches and of course, the great lunch provided by the very able Good Hope teachers and students!

Thanks Heintz and Ruth for your great examples - we are blessed!

Alberta visitors

We were blessed to have Kelli, Jason and Leith from Edmonton stay with us last weekend!

We had taken a day off and camped at Maramba in L'stone. Richard spotted their red on white vehicle licence plate "wild rose country". Wow, that's interesting.

They'd shipped their vehicle over, purchased a camper outfit in Cape Town and Jason, the engineer, jazzed up the outfit to work in as many conveniences *using 110 Canadian electrical stuff brought from Canada.

Kelli and Jason took us up on our invite to see the "real Africa". They've taken a year off from work to see Africa and will ship their vehicle and camper back to Canada when they're finished.

They pitched in wholeheartedly playing with babies, Jason "fixing" our one washing machine, and a few other odds and ends, and visiting with our Saturday sponsored kids. We had fun and really enjoyed getting to know this adventuresome young couple. Leith played all day with Willie Siazilo - language barriers don't exist between kids!

Travel well friends!
And new friends are always welcome!

Planning for Rozina

Many meetings have taken place to work out a reunification plan for Rozina. And even though she left earlier this week to be with her 75 year old granny we are not finished our work. 

Osco will visit next week over a few days to see how they are managing, to identify other church and community supports and resources for them and then together we'll all work at attempting to continue to create a safe and healthy environment for Rozina, at least as safe and as healthy as our human eyes can   construct. We will continue to pray for that family - and we ask that you as well join us in that. 

Finn Ellis

Thought since I posted our most recent grandson, that I should start posting the other guys....:)

Finn is now 9  months old and his parents say he is trying to stand up. Such a clever boy! And so handsome! 

We've been reading, praying and chuckling sometimes at our journey through proverbs. 

Here's one for today: Don't brag about tomorrow, since you don't know what today will bring - 27:1

And my morning thinking and praying on these 4 wee ones is: brag instead about my grandsons, now that is acceptable! 

Thank you God for these wonderful little guys, their smiles, and the joy they bring to all of us. You, God are so wise that you bless us with everyday sources of joy in these wee ones! 

Max Aaron born last week! :)

Max Aaron was born last week! We are grateful to God for a safe delivery and for a very healthy brother for Jonas! 

Mapenzi's home situation

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Re-integration of baby with family is a time consuming and complex process. But, with the help of Osco, our recent UNZA Social Work graduate maybe the outcomes will be a bit more promising. 

Rural Zambia still has many problems. Mapenzi - is tonga for problems. 

Just a bit of background information: 
Zambia has a large child population. Approximately, 45% of the Zambian population is under 15 years old. (old stats, but for now.....its what is at my finger tips. I'll update when I'm able - this morning, while attempting to do this one blog, electricity has gone off 3 times. We were without internet for 6 days last week! If anyone can send me recent stats I'd be grateful!) 

As far as I can see through the home visits and volunteering in Zambia for the past few years I see no strategic, coherent national action plan to address the many issues of the well being of Zambian children. Although, recently, I've been excited to find "Childline" on the internet, but am unable to connect with them via e-mail....the site won't allow my e-mail address. 

Mapenzi is 14 months old and has been at Kasensa since shortly after her birth. Her mother collapsed and died a week after birthing Mapenzi. Mapenzi is bright, alert, is walking and now talking a few words. She really seems to love Osco! 

Mapenzi comes from an all too typical rural situation. Polygamy family, 7 children under 8 years old, and one boy is 12 years old. Altogether, 3 wives have been involved in the children. One wife, Mapenzi's mom is no longer alive. 

Factors that make reunification a challenge - the age of the parents (all below 35 years), lack of education for all the adults (gr. 9 or less), many young children to care for, somewhat disorganized household, apparent lack of connection with spiritual resources, ? relationship with Mapenzi's side of the family - yet to be investigated (tomorrow!) and in general this family is one of those families of below $2.00 per day - "poverty". 

In Zambia approximately 70% of families are classified as poor. Poverty reduces the household's and community's capacity to care for their young. Increased poverty predisposes children to many vices, which may threaten their survival, development and protection. Some vices: neglect, malnutrition, lack of education, increased exposure to HIV and TB and other potentially fatal diseases. 

As well, one out of 6 babies in Zambia will die before their 5th birthday. This is an under five mortality rate of 168 deaths per 1,000 births. 

And....more than 1/2 of the deaths occur before the first birthday. Mapenzi is only 14 months old. 

And....infant mortality is higher in urban than rural areas. As well, maternal education is strongly correlated with childhood mortality. 

As well, in situations such as Mapenzi - if the child is not the natural child of one of the wives there is potential for reduced care (maybe even not intentionally) in the physical, mental, social, spiritual areas and the outcomes for that could be quite difficult for Mapenzi manifesting in early pregnancy, reduced school attendance...and many psycho-social challenges. 

Factors favoring reunification is that the father has 8 cattle and dad wants Mapenzi to stay with them. They live about 5 km. from the nearest health clinic and not too far from the school and chief's palace. They are a welcoming and hospitable family. 

Osco and I are developing risk factors for releasing the child and this one is rating at a medium risk. We have 2 children that we are rating at high risk, 2 at medium, 1 at a low risk and one, we are not really sure, but will keep doing home visits until we know what is happening. 

Once the risk level is determined, then we are setting plans together with the family to attempt to strengthen the capacity of the family. 

Tomorrow, we will visit the mother's side of the family for their ideas of a safe and as healthy as possible discharge plan. 

As well, we hope to visit another orphan home that is close by as well as a Catholic organizations who care for vulnerables within their own communities. 

You might wonder why we as ZMF-C is doing any of this reunification process at all. 
ZMF-C has been licensed by the Zambian Government to operate Kasensa, a small temporary, emergency facility for orphans. We emphasize working with the families to work towards a speedy and safe reunification process with the philosophy that family is the best place for a child. 

The Kalomo district has 2 social workers and this seems typical to other districts. They do not have the capacity to care for the huge numbers of orphans and vulnerables. The Minimum Standards document for care of children in facilities such as Kasensa states the facility care workers will work (along with Social Welfare) to reunify and connect child and family. 

We meet regularly with Social Welfare and will have a collective meeting along with another orphan home in November sometime (date not yet officially set) to further discuss our roles and our challenges. We will continue to ask for support and direction and we will further plan on interventions that can help, but not take away the government's responsibility to their children. 

Please continue to pray with us for clear direction on ways to support these children and their families and to do it in a way that glorifies our God. 

Emmah's home visit

Rather a shady photo - so the images aren't as clear as could be....but maybe shade is a good thing to show! Its a good thing to feel when temps are nearly 40 degrees c.

Sitting under the 2 small mango trees are Emmah's grandfather (white shirt) and 3 of Emmah's sibs - all little girls. As well, Patrick (Siabalumbi Bible teacher) and Richard and a few other uncles (or cousins..) Patrick is from this area originally and also is the translator of culture and language for us!

Emmah's mom died shortly after childbirth. There are 5 sibs in all that stay with these grandparents. The plan for Emmah, now 3 months, is to stay with another aunty and uncle who live very nearby. She will return to them once we are able to get the BCG and OPV vaccinations. The country has not had any since just before Emmah was born.

Thankful for beautiful sunset over the Zambezi

And we're grateful for eyes to see the colors of the sky as the sunsets over the Zambezi.

****note - this is not our everyday view although our everyday view is pretty great!

After travelling many more kilometres visiting Rozina and Emmah's family we stayed overnight in L'stone as it is only about 20 km. from Senkobo.

Happy Thanksgiving! Thanks for green and ....

 Despite no rain for almost 6 months there are many green trees. It doesn't compute in my brain....but this is how it is. The mangoes are getting bigger each day - with no tree watering!

Proud of green in Saskatchewan, but very grateful of green in Zambia at this time of very hot, dry weather!

Thankful for......green - in the trees, in the brightly colored chitenges....for families who care, for a vehicle that travels well on dust and sand roads, for birds who sing not seeming to mind the heat, for Zambian hospitality in middle of almost nowhere, for clean water to drink, for the clouds that are gathering daily, for cooler mornings and evenings, for the southern skies which are so fun to watch and try to pick out the names of various stars (we're not so good at it...but we have a book!).....and for our children, their spouses and our 3 sweet grandsons in Canada (and one who is supposed to be born today!)  We are blessed by their lives. Thank you God!

Enjoy your Thanksgiving together!
Notice the little boy's bright green boots - he'll be ready when those clouds finally burst!

Photo taken at Mapenzi's household.

Home Visits

This past week we've visited the families of 3 of our Kasensa babies.
Monday we visited Mapenzi's family at a village about an hour's dust road (?!) off the tarmac near Macha. You can find Macha just off the tarmac road about 45 minutes away from Choma and Choma is a tarmac drive about 45 minutes away from Kasensa.

We travelled well, piecing our way to the household of Mapenzi's father, his 2 wives and their 7 young children. (from 1 - 12 years old). After the visit we were honored to dine on fried village chicken and nsima.

I had pictures of Mapenzi on the camera and that was a big hit! She is walking nowadays and has a great smile and has gotten into shrieking, just to get all of us looking! Which we do! And then have to smile back!

There is a clinic and school nearby as well Chief Chikanta's palace is very near. This chief is well known in Zambia for being concerned and progressive with his people.
Mapenzi's dad has a few cattle and the paternal grandmother lives very near the household, but we didn't manage to see her.

Mapenzi's mother died during childbirth leaving behind a 12 year old and 3 other children. The 3 others stay with the mom's side of the family about an hour's drive away on the dust roads, closer to the Macha turn off at Mapanza. Initially, the aunty on that side of the family said they'd look after Mapenzi, so....we shall see this week who the actual caregivers will be. If its aunty on the mom's side then we'll drive to Mapanzi to visit there. It was getting dark by the time we left Mapenzi's dad's place - so couldn't manage that visit on  Monday night.

Village life is quite different than Kasensa life - in terms of availability of fresh vegetables and access to water and even toilets. At Kasensa we have electricity (most of the time), running water and flush toilets, full gardens a few steps away full of fresh vegetables, an orchard full of various fruits - lemons, oranges, avacados, mangos, guavas, peaches(!!)....

But...what we don't have for babies is their own family. Family. Villages are full of families and extended families. I look around and see dry everything. Village life appears harsh - especially this time of year. The sun is burning up the earth here - in the bush it looks like nothing is growing! The cattle are skinny.

Osco, our SW graduate staying with us who accompanies us on the home visits assures us that what we see in the village is okay. Its how he grew up. Actually his polygamy family had 2 wives and 19 children plus dependents. He had to walk MANY kilometres to school. He is 25 years old. He did fairly well b/c his dad pushed the kids to attend school and because he later found sponsorship with ZMF-C to complete secondary school and then along with the government of Zambia bursaries, ZMF-C and his own determination he was able to recently complete his SW degree from UNZA.

Families ALWAYS express appreciation for ZMF-C and the staff who have taken care of their baby and we always continue to teach that the best place for the baby is within the family - and while sometimes not always readily received, we receive fair feedback on that philosophy.

The dad rode along with us for a fair part of the dust road journey to the tarmac and while riding along we were able to dialogue about Deuteronomy chapter 6 where God speaks to all of us about our responsibility that we have as parents - to care for our children spiritually - to teach them repeatedly....day and night .....about God and to obey Him.

So...how about re-reading Deuteronomy 6 and remind yourself what our jobs are as parents and grandparents. For grandparents.....notice that its our job to help our kids who are now adults in their role of teaching their own children.

So let's listen well and do the work we've been called to do....

Wendy Fink's sponsored student

Isaac is a grade 10 student at Kalomo Secondary School. Wendy and Rick Fink and their 2 children from Regina sponsor him. They've been sponsoring kids for a number of years and Wendy loves to gift her "kids". Isaac was delighted at the notebook, markers, pens, pencils and calculator! The other kids looked closely at the package he received.

Sponsorship is helping this family much. The dad of this large family (I believe 8 in all) is a shepherd for a neighbour. Isaac is a serious student and a good choice for ZMF-C for sponsorship.

Thanks Wendy and family - you are making a difference for Isaac!

And thanks to all sponsors ~ education is making a difference in this country with many changes in the past few years! Let's share what God has given to us in abundance!

Mundia's double blessings - Precious and Joy

Nelson and Mrs. Mundia added 2 more to their family this past week. They were born at 2300 hrs. on Wednesday and I brought them back to our farm the next morning at around 11 hrs. It was me who was late, they'd called around 08 hrs.

One baby girl was almost 2 kg and the other just over 2 kgs.

We gathered up some vegetables from the farm as a wee gift and helped them settle into their home. Yesterday, I sent over little outfits for the pair of them! It will be fun watching them grow!

Nelson is an excellent tractor driver - and reliable in so many ways.
They have many children - and Nelson says these are the last!

"reading time" at Kasensa

All kids love books and Rozina and Mapenzi are excited to hear Nelia read to them! Fanwell and Emmah are in the background with their ears open as well!

New addition to Milk Program

Baby Bridget was added to the milk feeding program last week. Both mom (in the red) are not well and baby is fighting hard to adjust to the start of new meds that will hopefully bring her to a healthier state.

Osco, our SW graduate was helping to counsel as we discussed much about family life and their challenges.

Emily, holding the baby is the grandmother and has been the main caregiver for Violet since her mother died many years ago. Violet is 19 years old. Violet would like to return to school one day. I'm not sure she completed grade 9, but she does have some future dreams for herself.

Emily has excellent English and attended Namwianga when the Baileys were there many years ago. She has fond memories of Leonard and Mable!

Rozina's first day of school!

We regularly go to Siabalumi, a small village near Kasensa. This day Rozina found Willie and popped up beside him in his classroom.

Doug Funk visits

This week Doug visited from Victoria, BC. He works for the Solon Foundation which has funded several projects at Siabalumbi and Nalabumba including teacher housing, literacy programs and solar lighting.

Look up Solon Foundation for more info about what they are involved in.

Doug travels through several Southern African countries "giving away" money to organizations who can prove that the projects are making a difference.

And these ones are making a huge difference for close to 900 children, as well as the teachers!

Thanks Doug for your hard work, your enthusiasm and your insights! We appreciated that you spent the night with and look forward to visiting with you again as you pass through near the start of 2014.

Doug hails originally from Manitoba, our neighbour!