After a long and heavy, three-part post, we thought it best
to keep things light for this next post. In case you’ve been wondering how
we’ve been doing lately, the answer is … great! Coming to grips with everything
that we mentioned in our most recent blog post really helped shape our
perspective and allowed us to get back to the heart of the reason why we came
to Africa in the first place. It has been humbling and challenging but we are
very grateful to have the support of our friends at Hands, as well as all of
you back home. Thank you for your prayers!
Our new roles are really beginning to take shape now. Diane
has been super busy ever since we returned from South Africa. For the first 2
weeks back in Zambia, Marc essentially gave her a crash course on all things
finance – what Hands financial procedures currently are and the processes they
are moving towards. Diane has now been tasked with the responsibility of helping
to implement a new finance system for the Zambia Regional Support Team (RST)
and Service Centres, which is critical, given that Zambia receives the largest
amount of donor support amongst the 8 African countries and the current finance
system in Zambia is, for lack of a better word, a disaster. Her new role
requires her to travel from Kitwe to Luanshya (a 50 minute car ride, a 1.5 hour
bus ride) 2 or 3 times a week to support the bookkeepers at the RST and the
Luanshya Service Centre. The days that she isn’t traveling, she’s with me
supporting the Kitwe Service Centre.
As for my role, I’ve been tasked with the responsibility of
shoring up our legal registrations in each of the 8 African countries that
Hands operates in and ensuring that each is in compliance with local laws
governing non-profit organizations. With no knowledge of African law, a serious
language barrier (French for the DRC, Portuguese for Mozambique, broken English
for all other countries) and local Hands volunteers not really understanding
the law, it has proved to be quite the endeavor. Nevertheless, it has been
quite interesting and undoubtedly will provide me with great experience going
forward. While neither of us were expecting to be doing things so closely
related to our previous jobs, we are happy that we are able to utilize our
skills and experience to serve needs within the organization.
My legal responsibilities are quite sporadic and, as such,
do not demand the regular time commitment that Diane’s finance responsibilities
do. This works out well because it allows me to spend most of my time investing
and building into the Kitwe Service Centre. As previously mentioned, now that
we have been with and built great relationships with our team in Kitwe over the
past few months, and have a greater understanding of the operations and duties
of the Kitwe Service Centre, we feel we are in a much better position to build
capacity in our team. The past couple weeks, I have seen a HUGE need for
support in the Kitwe Service Centre, particularly as it pertains to planning,
being organized and working efficiently. Even simple things such as clear
processes and effective communication are currently lacking which lead to
various issues down the road. With all
of the things we have planned for 2013 (teams visiting, conducting training
sessions at our various Community Based Organizations (CBOs), budgets and
project proposals, etc.), there shouldn’t be any more concern about us sitting
around, feeling useless and doing nothing anymore. It’s going to be a busy
year!
Despite all our previous complaining, I couldn’t be more
thrilled with my new split-role. In one role, I am able to use my legal skills
in a practical way to fill a need in the organization and, in my other role, I
have the opportunity to go into community and visit our CBOs and care workers.
Most importantly, I get to see and interact with the children. I count that as
a huge blessing because many of the roles that long-term international
volunteers take on make it difficult for them to go into community on a regular
basis. I love being in community and I feel it is where I thrive. Seeing the
children on a regular basis keeps me grounded and will serve as a constant
reminder of the whole reason that we are here.
Where our roles will take us past April, we have yet to find
out. But for now, we are thoroughly enjoying the ride and everything that God
is showing and teaching us along the way.
Some pictures and videos from some recent trips to our
various CBOs … Enjoy!
Cutest little dance moves we've ever seen
Ipepeta! The kids love this game!
Mulenga - Children praying before their meal
Mulenga - Lining up for their food, from shortest to tallest!
Mulenga - Nafiwama! (Bemba for delicious!)
The CBO school in Mulenga
Papa Nkosi, a blind care worker in Mulenga. Such an inspiration!
James (a volunteer from BC that is a dairy farmer) giving Ruben (a care worker) some ideas for the CBO garden (the income generating activity for Mulenga CBO)
Chibote - Kids chowing down
One of the classrooms in Chibote. Notice the lack of anything, much less proper chairs! (That didn't prevent some of the little ones in front from falling asleep!)
Another classroom in Chibote. 3 kids to a desk!
Amlew - One of the care workers' kids. He's one of my favourites!
Amlew - Byron attempting to teach the multiplication table
The children in front of the almost-completed school in Kamakonde
Racecourse - The welcoming committee!
Byron with Towanga (the daughter of local Hands volunteers). She's such a sweetheart!
