Dear Readers
At the end of a long and busy day at the build site in Munenga, we are relaxing in the internet cafe in Mazabuka. Some of the team have gone off to buy more shovels and water buckets so we can work more easily tomorrow. Our team of 12 left Lusaka on Monday at noon after several adventures with the bus company who decided we did not need the large comfortable bus but rather were better off with a tiny mini bus with  no room for 14 people and tons of luggage. We are carrying 4 extra suitcases full of donations for the school in Munenga and for PAF. Also a large amount of film equipment which is being carried by our video crew - Kate Rudd of the United Church video division and cameraman Steve. They are travelling with us to make a series of videos for the UCC about this project. Tonight Steve has promised to hlep Jane Murray and I to up load some of our photos onto this Blog.

This week we are staying at the Royal Laricio Lodge in Mazabuka. It is adequate to our needs and is well stocked with beer. This morning we, together with three leaders form PAF -the NGO that is managing this project, travelled  a half hour out of Mazabuka to the district of Munenga. The school is built up to the level of the top of the windows. It has two classrooms and one teacher's office in the centre. Our team will try to put on 3 more courses of cement blocks to be ready for the roof to be put on.

We were welcomed by a group of the headmen and local people and loads of children. Later in the morning we were visited by the Chief of the district, who gave the land for the school to PAF. Tomorrow we will pay a formal courtesy visit to the Chief in his palace.  It is evident that PAF has  a very impressive network of connections, including the District Commissioner, the District Education Board Secretary and the local Chief, in whose kingdom we are. With the comittment of all these parties, it is evident that the school project will go forward in a sustainable manner as there is considerable buy in and ownership from all the parties. The District EDucation Board Secretary advised that he had arranged for all the desks and furniture needed by the school to be provided once the construction is finished. Since we now have enough funds form the fundraising by the Ottawa Legal Community, it is likely that construction on the first teachers house may be able to start  in the fall before the rains come.

We had loads of fun today carrying bricks, mixing cement, laying blocks on the top courses, digging holes and planting a grove of mango and other trees, carrying many buckets of water from the standpipe well that is on the site. This well was build by PAF with funds from a United Methodist church group in the USA that supports clean water projects. We had a lot of fun with the kids. Bob Beaudoin is teaching them to sing Skinnamarink a Rinky Do.

I hope we will have time to sign in again tomorrow and tell you more of our news. I have not yet told you anything about our amazing weekend in the  community to Chipembi where we stayed with Omega Bula and her family. The welcome we recieved on our arrival on Saturday and again in the church service on Sunday was hard to describe. But  we will try when next we log on.
Blessings to all.
Phyllis MacRae for the Zambia Build Team

Emmanuel has arrived in Zambia.  KLM to Amsterdam and Lusaka was wonderful - great service, good food, smooootth!

Peoples' Action Forum gave us a thorough and moving orientation to the social, economic, political and cultural realities in Zambia.  So much potential - now, how to take action. 

Fun venture to the Kabwata Cultural Centre to learn how to start bartering.  Good crafts and clothes and very persistent sellers.

We are rested, gathering and heading off to Chipembi to meet with the Chipembi Congregation and the heads of institutions.  Phyllis will be presenting a gift to honour our partnership with the Chipembi Congregation.  We are so looking forward to the wonders of Makumba Farm.

Pam Barron sends her love to family and Orleans United.

Phyllis MacRae says "We are having a blast!"

And I say, let the good times roll in Zambia.

Love you Emmanuelites !!!

Norman

Getting ready for departure

On Tuesday May 8 members of the Zambia Lawyers Build Team met at Emmanuel United Church to discuss final arrangments. 14 people will be travelling to Lusaka on May 16-16, and a second group of 6-8 people will follow on May 25-26.  Our team leaders Bob and Claudia Beaudoin and  Peter and Jane Murray will be with the teams for the full two weeks. Intrepid leader Norman Williams will be with the team for week one and then will travel to the Emmanuel United Church partnership community of Chipembe north of Lusaka in week 2. Bags of soccer balls and other items are being packed to take with us for the Munenga community.

In the community of Munenga, construction on the school build project is well underway. The toilets (good!) and storage shed have been completed. The foundation has been laid and walls are now up to the level of the windows. Most of the labour and some of the materials are being contributed by members of the villages that will send children to the school. Members of our Ottawa lawyers build team will contribute to the building. More importantly, Canadian members will be able to establish relationships with members of the communities, hear their stories, dreams and challenges, so that we can share these with our frineds and family upon our return to Canada.

Stay tuned for more reports from the Build Team!

Phyllis

Follow Us In Our Travels Here