Day 6
We kept the Sisters up way past their bedtime last night. It was a late
night pulling together the 400 gifts, but the lack of sleep was well
worth the smiles of the day. Hauling 3 heaping clothesbaskets of little wrapped parcels, we met some of the children out on the Tionge playground. With hesitation, each child reached in to take one. There was true disbelief on their faces that we were actually giving them something. One little boy upon seeing the crayons and candy, exclaimed, ”Really, this is for me?! Thank you very much.” Amazing how the simplest things bring such joy to these children. We walked around showing the children how to blow bubbles, play with playdoh, introduce them to glow sticks,
“Oh, this is beautiful!”, and help them unwrap their lollypops.
After we hand out gifts to all in the yard, we make our way to the classrooms. The children, like most, are just fine with us interrupting their studies J Technology has been a wonder in this country.
The kids are amazed to see their images on the cameras, listen to music on the Ipod, and see video of themselves performing on the N95. The way their faces burst into wonder and laughter can never get stale.
We’ve all decided to foster a child here at Tionge. The cost to keep a child at school for a year is a mere $200US per year – $0.56 a day feeds a child a meal, pays for the grounds, books and teacher’s salaries. Susan has decided to sponsor one for each of her children. There is Alec and Anna – twins, Elvis and
Robert; Tracey’s little guy is Albert – a little heart-throb with a smile that is going to break some hearts; and Charity and Alexander have won over my heart. There are many others. Most of these children are ‘double-orphans’ – a term we weren’t familiar with before this journey – meaning that they have lost both parents. There is comfort in knowing that the money we give will go directly to help these children through the Sisters we have befriended on this trip.
After we had met with each child in Tionge, we popped into Chiwiledi to give the house mother – Aunti Christine, a little gift. Aunti Christine is, well, well endowed – 46E endowed! Bras are a bit of a luxury to some, so we knew she would appreciate it. She was moved beyond words and gladly replaced her tattered bra with the cups cut out for a new one that fit properly.
After pizza, chicken & chips and ice cream with Sisters Given , Maria-Teresa, Sitali and Kitty we went to the convent of the Mother Superior – Sister Nicoletta. She is a thin, soft woman of 42 who heads the Sisters of Charity order. She proudly shows us around and makes us tea. Here we meet Sister Maria who runs the parish in the adjacent compound. Compounds are areas situated around Lusaka that house 50 - 70,000 people. Sister Maria has planned to take us through, so we can experience this side of Zambia.
As we approach, the size of the compound is deceiving as it sits in a valley.
We can only see a few rooftops at first, but are soon amidst many concrete shacks, dirt lanes and areas where sewage flows across footpaths. There are children everywhere. Everywhere. Everywhere. From every corner, peeks another little cherub face. They come out to greet us, shake our hands, smile, smile, smile…even the littlest want to be near us.
We had felt pretty invisible up to this point on the trip, but here, we stood out like sore thumbs. Soon we had a parade of children following us. The women in the compound were so warm and wonderful – hearty and gracious. We saw a few men caring for children – but most were just hanging around, walking to the tavern, or already two sheets to the wind. Sister Maria seems like a saint in this setting – stopping to speak to the people, touching the children and sitting by the elderly. We spent nearly three hours walking through the compound interacting with its inhabitants - a good experience, and one not soon forgotten. Sister Maria Teresa met us at the compound Parish to take us back. We were ready to leave and eager to shower. The grime was thick. Amazing that this is simply the way of life for so very many.
Tonight was girls’ night at the convent. We made the nuns remove their habits (funny to see their tan lines) and sit around the table for an evening of dips. We make a variety of our favourites – hummus, guacamole, baked brie with jam, quesidillas, and salsa. I think they are finally getting the hang of having someone else serve them. These are truly special people. We’ve come to love being with them.
Notables:
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Being poor doesn’t necessarily mean being sad.
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Kids are kids no matter where they are and where they live – they all love bubbles
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Seeing selflessness at a whole new level through the Sisters
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Unnoticed in the city; main attraction in the compound
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Seeing joy from the simplest of things… pencils, bubbles, lollypops
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A nun does have tan lines – they are just around their heads from where their habits sit ;)
P.S. We are off early tomorrow morning. The Sisters have arranged to take us on a Safari! Not sure if I’ll be able to log in while we’re there, but promise to catch up with you on our return Sunday night.
