Tuesday Morning

Tempus fugit! And I'm up before the chickens this morning. So, no coffee for me while I write :-(

It rained last night. Thunderstorm that actually knocked out the power for half an hour. It was very quiet except for the rain. Rain on the roof is such a comforting sound when you're not out in it getting soaked. Now this morning it is just dripping pleasantly off the roof into a puddle outside my window.

Bemba lesson one yesterday morning. Gotta practise!! Being able to at least greet people is one way not to be just rude, ugly American. I do see the occasional white face, a few Indians and I'm not aware of a single Asian face so far. But everyone is friendly!

The children at the school are no different than school children anywhere else. The infrastructure is harsh by our standards, but learning is happening. A difference is being made and that's the important thing not to be overlooked. Yes, they need $$$, and a lot of them! The challenge is to figure out sustainable revenue stream(s) to support the work that's being done. Self-sufficiency is the ultimate goal. How to get there is the challenge.

Took a break for breakfast then off toward the Hope Offices in Ndola, stopped for a coffee on the way (expensive by Zambian standards -- 20 KWA, probably equivalent to $10, makes Starbucks not seem quite as outrageous. Stopped at the grocery to get stuff for lunch, now on the way to the Hope Village.

We pass the Levy Soccer Stadium, capacity 45,000, on the way to the village.. Built by the Chinese who are investing huge amounts in infrastructure in the third world. Long rail line to the Port of Dar es Salam, for example.