Saturday, June 19, 2010

Zambian village visit........

Visiting a village, this one near our Zambian camp Toka Leya on the Zambezi River, was a wonderful experience.  We were allowed about an hour, accompanied by a village guide, to meet the smiling, happy people and look around the area.  Unfortunately we were unable to visit the village school.  We learned that it was in need of student materials and a library was hoped for soon.  The government only pays for students through grade 7, after that someone is required to pay $200 a year for a child to attend grade 8 - that also requires finding transportation to the city of Livingstone 12 kilometers away.


Cookware made by the village blacksmith.


Unpaved, the village stands on deep golden sand, most adults and children were barefoot.

Rachel, one of the first girls to ask my name - she is wearing her school uniform.

This tot was a wee bit scared from all the commotion.

More school girls - always ready to carry the toddlers on their backs.

The little guy in yellow latched on to Jen for a walkabout!


Braids were the style - looking lovely on these little girls.

Rachel again displaying her braids.

Paula (our Babs in background) was a magnet with all her great camera equipment - children would ask to look at their pics after being photographed.

These children were extremely kind to their younger siblings/friends, helping them keep up with us by carrying them.

Paula and Babs in a garden area with a more permanent looking building.

The boys and girls huts - their sleeping quarters after a certain age (I think 6 yrs.) when separated from the parents at night due to crowding in the small homes.
 
A smiling village lady with her cookware.


The fairly new clinic building - I like how they are training vines to climb, and pots of herbs used for cooking.


The happy, smiling children gathered together and sang for us before we left.
Tomorrow, more about village life, and a story about Marie.

8 comments:

  1. Good morning Mary, this post is so heartwarming and sad at the same time. I can hardly imagine a life such as this. Schooling is so limited for these wonderful children. However, it is obvious the people are happy. I love this post Mary. Can't wait to see more and learn a bout Marie.

    Have a wonderful day my friend.
    Love, Jeanne

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  2. How lovely! It is hard to think they don't get to go to school. It is something we feel we had to do at that age. I know we are very lucky here, even if the schools are not great they are there and everyone gets to go even driven there. Thank you for sharing, I know you loved every minute!
    Hugs, Lisa

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  3. Mary, what an education you are giving all of your readers. I don't know how you did all that you did? What an amazing experience. Can't wait to give you a big hug and thank you! I feel like I am learning new things everyday when reading your incredible stories and viewing those pictures. Thank you so much. Hugs, Mary Ann

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  4. I just cannot get enough of these amazing posts. Just when I'm bowled over by all the amazing animals, you knock me out with scores of the sweetest human faces. What a trip, Mary!

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  5. People are rather upset when they see the photos of Simonga but the people were happy, the children were happy - their village was much better than most because it was 'sponsored' by our camp. I wish I'd concentrated more on the people than the huts and gardens but what lovely children they are!

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  6. What beautiful photos, you captured just the element of their village! They are so pretty..just amazing snapshots! Once again...I thank you for sharing this with us..

    Blessings to you and yours....
    xoxo Gert

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  7. When you think of children such as these little ones having such limited education, and how hungry they are to learn more where others just take things for granted. However, they all have smiles on their faces, and being taught how to take care of each other especially the smaller ones. Makes you think that we could take lessons!
    Take Care,
    Ulrike

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  8. Mary, I'm totally spellbound by each new post. This one really touched my heart. What beautiful children! ~ Sarah

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