Blogs from Copperbelt , Zambia, Africa

We arrived back at the Franciscan Center in Ndola from which we had departed on Thursday morning for Ibenga (see previous entry). We woke Friday morning and after Anna and Sarah had nicely milked Father Angelo's cows (we think they are cow girls at heart) we toured the Ibenga hospital and left some of the medical supplies we brought. We also had the great pleasure of seeing Violet, an adorable, lovable orphan girl of about 4 years age who we all fell in love with at the Leprosorium the previous day. After that we were on the bus again heading for Kitwe to an overwhelming and incredible welcome at Chamboli Parish. We were not prepared for the 500 plus who greeted us in a big procession around the church followed by tours of the parish grounds, ... read more

Monday -- Left Bonaventure College in Lusaka with the van and Sandy's Red Beast loaded with people/boxes/books/meds/supplies, heading 320km north toward Ndola. Driving north out of Lusaka into the African bush, as it appeared before deforestation removed the grasses and mukwa and mopani trees, through termite mounds, women carrying baskets of guava, charcoal, colorful vegetable stand stops (Stephen will add the story of Anna's first encounter with a Turkish toilet later -- let's just say that it began with a shriek and ended in a change of clothes . . . ). Arrived at Kapiri in time for a wonderful lunch of nshima, chicken, vegetables, fruit salad, and Coke (a treat for the kids). Sang the "Chawama" song to the friars as we presented a box of books and t-shirts for Fr. Phillip, Brother Ryan, Matthews, ... read more

Just have about a minute to update. Things have been going really well with the group. We are now stationed in the Copperbelt for the next few days with plenty of work ahead. I'll try and update when I can. Love and miss you all!!... read more

Today's my last day in Ndola for about a week or so, which means the last day with pretty decent internet. This afternoon Sandy and I are headed to Garneton for a little visit. The past few days have been kind of a whirlwind. Our second day here (possibly the last day I wrote) I went with the guys, as well as Ishmael (sp?) who's from Austria and Lydia, from Zambia to the Ndola market. The place was huge and had everything from small trinkets, to vegetables, to tons and tons of fish. I've heard some remarks about the bad smell the fish have, but honestly, it was welcome to some of the other scents I was picking up - including mold from stagnant water, raw sewage, and urine. Par for the course, I guess. Oh, ... read more

An older man sits next to me on the bus. He is eating a large oblong cream filled donut and repeatedly insists I try. "I can't handle the cream." Somewhat true. After an hour or so driving we stop. He gets out for the five minute break and comes back with half a fried chicken and the greasiest french fries I've ever seen. "You don't eat chicken?!" He is astonished when I refuse to share the fried chicken. I finally accept a french fry. Thus we bond over the first five hours of my bus ride north. Eventually he gets around to asking me where I am going and why. "Meheba? There's not any refugees there anymore, you know that? They all left." He tells me matter of factly...why on earth am I going to an ... read more