Well, since I’m a school helper (as opposed to the many hospital staff members around here) I’m blessed to have weekends free and can decide what I want to do.
This morning began with a scenic walk into Kasempa with Hilary, an English anaesthetist working here for a month. I enjoy being followed by a trail of African children shouting over and over ‘hello, how are you?’ My mission was to get apples, or at least some kind of fruit, but none was to be had. Tomatoes, cabbages, rape (chinese cabbage), onions and dried fish are plentiful, but it’s hard to find much fruit here. It’s funny, there is not a consistent supply of anything and sometimes you find the strangest things like ‘almond essence’ but then you can’t even find a loaf of bread to buy. You can never be sure that what was there last week will be around this week.
A large market is buzzing with flies and the overpowering smell of 20 tables of sellers competing to sell their fish, and as a mzungu I can feel myself being watched by those 20 pairs of pleading eyes. I wish I could buy from all of them; I know they probably all have large families to care for and need the money!
Less than a minute after I walk in my door I hear a knock and welcome in a local boy who is one of the gr2 academy students, and his lovely mother. It was great to meet more of the family. I have met so so many children here but not many adults or parents; It’s a sad fact that Aids has wiped out a good part of the ‘parent’ generation so it is really common for children to be looked after by grandparents or aunts or uncles etc. It’s not uncommon for two adults to be caring for 12 children or more. This is why I meet so many kids and they’re doesn’t seem to be many adults around.
This afternoon I took one of my little African friends with me and enjoyed cooling off in the recently opened pool (thanks to Noel, a missionary who has been doing lots of maintenance around the place). I then went to praise team practice and had a lot of fun struggling through the polysyllabic Bemba words!
This evening Anja and Missy (my housemates) and Fynn (medical student) and I enjoyed a social evening having dessert with a couple other missionaries; weekend meals are often spent this way. Now I’m struggling with the internet and wondering how on earth I will manage to complete my online university application from the other side of the world, by the scarily close deadline…
Well, tusaka monan’ana (See you later!)
Great to read of your experiences, and your heart for the people.
ReplyDeletePraying for you to be able to meet more of the parents and guardians of your children.
Shalaipo Mwane (I think this means "remain well").
Love from Dad
thanks for telling 'bout life!! well yea that is so cool you are getting to know some of teh kids better. thats real sad bout the big families & such - so glad you are there. and yes, it must break your heart all those pleading eyes wishing you to buy their stuff. did you buy fresh fish??!!
ReplyDeleteswimming yay! yes its hot here & ive been a couple times :)
love ya & praying for u as always gorgeous!!
yes good work with your kikaonde Dad, that is correct! Nasante Mwane for your effort!
ReplyDeletei haven't bought fish yet... i will try sometime. To be honest it doesn't look or smell too appetising, and they dry it. So it looks dark, almost black.