Special Guest

Carolyn Lamb's medical school friend, Jim McAuley from the CDC (Center for Disease Control) came to dinner with his son last week. Jim spoke about health problems facing Zambia and the many programs the CDC has initiated.  With certain simple changes they have cut infant and maternal mortality substantially. The largest goal is create an AIDS free generation. We were also able to tour the Pediatric Centre of Excellence. Many thanks for a wonderful experience!

Pleasant Surprise!

I was beyond excited today to see Selina waiting for our van to arrive in Garden to say our final goodbyes. She has been a special child that I have connected with for many years. She has grown so much and told another traveler, that I was "her best friend." While I believe that's a stretch, I know that Selina also finds our friendship special. She has a bright future and has the skills to succeed despite her circumstances. I gave her a book and a pen to keep. She quickly asked me to read the story and then she quietly wrote "I love this book" with perfect handwriting, spacing, and letter formation. Very gratifying for me to see as a first grade teacher! It's children like Selina that make these trips so memorable for me.

Today the group said their final farewells to everyone here in Zambia. There are three of us staying an extra couple days to conduct the business aspects of CWB, but the group separated late this afternoon. As I mentioned before, some of us went to the community where we have been teaching. Others went to the Fountain of Hope to deliver soap, supplies, and give some medicine to individuals that tested positive for bilharzia. We also had a wonderful celebration this afternoon. We had an African barbeque at the guest house and we also processed the entire trip. We were able to celebrate each other and discuss some of our favorite memories. It has been a great experience for all! I've been very fortunate to be part of a group that is so passionate about supporting children.

Play

“For a child, it is in the simplicity of play that the complexity of life is sorted like puzzle pieces joined together to make sense of the world” –L.R. Knost

Communities Without Borders has been so lucky to have such great support back in the United States for the donation of supplies. Each year, a number of partnered communities collect supplies for us to bring over to the children we support. Other times, schools and other individuals step up and donate supplies that are so appreciated. I want to recognize the amazing efforts of many Parker Families. I received backpacks, t-shirts, clothes, books and so many more supplies! One individual even started a collection at the Youth Center, School Age Program, Child Development Center, Lincoln Preschool, which are all located at the Hanscom Airforce Base. Supplies were also collected by Rosary Manor. I was so touched by the amount of support our organization has received and was so excited to share the supplies with the children of Zambia. Please know that beautiful, smiling children received your supplies with excitement and appreciation. I loved watching them play with the toys and look through quality literature. The opportunity does not often present itself to allow these children the idea to dream. While dreams are not often associated with materialistic things, the children we support know that they are cared about and not forgotten. In a world that often seems desolate, they have a safe haven where they can explore, manipulate, learn, and thrive. I am so proud to have been able to share your donations with them and am truly honored by the support.

Health Screenings

Beautiful little girl watching the medical team distribute medicine.

Catriona Kinane and Katie Dodd hard at work
during the health screening. They were working with the pharmacy team
putting together medicine prescribed by the doctor.



Students at Fountain of Hope waiting to
see the doctor.

*Photos provided by Catriona Kinane

Luse Lwamfumu

We had a wonderful visit in Linda Compound. Danny Flanagan and Lucy Boyle spent a night/day there and learned about the great things that are happening in the community. They stayed in one of the head ladies home and when the rest of the group arrived the next day, we could see Danny hard at work learning to cook nshima, Zambian's staple food. He was washing dishes and was completely immersed in the community. The women's group sang for us at the beginning of the certificate ceremony and we were able to celebrate the hard work completed by those who passed their exams. We are so proud of the student's accomplishments!
 

The Group

A group shot of us after the game drive. We ended our adventure by listening for hippos along the Zambezi River. We all feel so proud to be part of such an amazing organization and have the opportunity to travel with so many special individuals.

Saint Eleanor

Eleanor Matongo is the nurse midwife at Simukanka. She works at the health clinic built by Communities Without Borders. Lise Johnson says that Eleanor “is an amazing, talented and dedicated clinician.” Dick Bail, CWB’s founder, refers to her as “Saint Eleanor because she’s been so much, to so many people.” Her work has been a blessing to the community, where she has lost no mothers or infants during pregnancy and has elevated the level of care that is available to the surrounding communities. Her accomplishments in the past year include attending 152 births. Eleanor has also initiated and implemented a program to provide medication to 84 HIV+ patients on a regular basis. The community is so lucky to have her!