Thursday

Today began with a bird glug-glugging in the distance – I remember hearing it in Kenya, and still have no idea what it was.

After devotions in the shade of some trees in the compound, and then breakfast (porridge again to keep the builders going until lunch time – I had bran flakes to keep me going...) we all headed off in the minibus, first to Garden Hill School where the building team spent the morning for a Zambian version of rendering (more like splatting on the walls) and where we were all greeted by some very excited children (“Uncle Geoff!! Uncle Geoff!!! Uncle Geoff!!!”) and I was taken over by a swarm of them who all clamoured for me to take their photos so they could see themselves on the camera. 

The Rewired team then went on to Crown of Life School where we were met by the amazing Dorothy and her daughter Deborah – Dorothy set up the school 10 years ago for local orphaned and vulnerable children, with a vision of something much bigger. 

With a lot of help from Christchurch St Albans and some from Mission Direct Dorothy is beginning to see her vision come alive – she now has a block of 3 classrooms and some toilets, and another block of 3 classrooms and a PC room that is almost completed – apparently it wasn't there 3 months ago, so some serious building work has been going on! By the time we had been greeted and introduced to the children and staff we had around 45 minutes left to get the 6 laptops ready to hand over to the school – we just about did it by the time the bus came to collect us, although we did need a few extra minutes. 

 The Rewired team have really become very productive – we have each found our own niche and get on with the job. I've created a checklist to help with the work in the next schools, and to use on future trips – it can be updated as we go along and find more things to add to it. I've been trying to print it off on a printer that we've got for the Internet Cafe, but it doesn't work on any of the laptops that we've got here – hopefully it will work on a desktop because that's what they've got at the Internet Cafe.

 After lunch Cosmas (the director of Kiine School) came to talk to us about the child sponsorship scheme that is run through International Needs – for less than the cost of a pub meal each month a child can be supported through their schooling – books, uniform, and sometimes breakfast. I had a look through the details of the children seeking sponsorship but in the end asked Cosmas to find me someone particular – he is sure he can find me that girl. Actually, since then someone else looking through the details found Ruth who is exactly the child I was hoping to find so I'll ask Cosmas if I can support her.

We then wandered over to the church near the school to hear about the Home Care scheme that is run by this church, to support sick people in the nearby Kaunda Square community, mostly with HIV/AIDS. This introduction was to prepare us for our visit tomorrow with the Carers to some of the people they are caring for. The Home Care scheme provides these people with basics such as shima (a basic that every Zambian meal has to have – a bit like very fine couscous), medicine and emotional and spiritual support and encouragement.

Afterwards Barbara and Benson showed us the chickens that their son Emmanuel are rearing and selling to fund his way through college – this is a very popular way of generating income and Fountain of Hope are also hoping to do this. They buy in 250 day-old chicks and put them under UV lamps and give them care, food & water, and after a few weeks they are ready to sell on and new chicks can be brought in to continue the cycle.

Finally, after a bit of a hectic day we had some free time, although Rewired had a brief discussion on how we improve our process (not much change needed) and I went for a lovely swim in the cold swimming pool – so welcome at the end of a very hot day. There is a huge frangipani tree hanging over the pool and the air smells delicious at the end of a hot day. 

Before dinner the Bishop of Lusaka (Bishop Paul) came to tell us about Zambia, especially the potential implications of the recent elections and change of president. His very strong sense of social justice came through. Pastor Benson & his wife Barbara shared dinner with us, and I was glad to be on the same table as them so we could hear more about the work of their church – when talk came around to UK politics I decided it was time to make a skype call!

We've had a very brief lightening storm and a little bit of rain – enough to freshen the air and hopefully not too much to make life miserable for anyone on the streets or in the shanty towns tonight.