Trip to Ndola

On Wednesday, Ad and I traveled to Ndola, a town in the Northern part of Zambia, very close to the border of the DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo).
We were going to visit a project from the RCZ, Reformed Church of Zambia, which is one of CRWRC's partners. Reverend W. Zulu introduced us to the project.

We drove for about 3 hours on a very nice paved road, and then turned of on dirt roads to the first community.
RCZ works with 5 communities in that area, mainly Food Security Programs.
Each community consists of a Farmers group of 100 Farmers, about 2/3 of each group are women.
As we arrived at the first community, Mkulounge, the farmers present stood up and sang and danced a welcome song. Quite humbling.
The facilitator, Mr. Banda, introduced us to the group and then we were asked to introduce ourselves.

The president of this group, the lady in the picture above, read a report about all the things they have learned and are applying now.
It became apparent that this group of Farmers feels empowered by what they have learned. They have applied many of the techniques.
Some of the other representatives in the group shared what this all means to them and gave testimonies.
* We used to eat once a day, now we have three meals per day.
* We used to have just enough to eat, but now with the surplus that we can sell, we are able to send our
   children to school.
* There is no hunger in this area anymore.

This group of Farmers was also given a few goats. Whenever these goats get kids, more members of the group will receive a goat. 

The community of Kavu shared basically the same things, but some members in this group have chosen a pig instead of a goat.

Besides educating in farming skills, they also would like to get some training in primary health care, to better take care of their families and a literacy program for some members in the group.

In the Mkulounge community the members of the Farmers group have been able to save money and together they are now building a storage shed.

One man told us with enthusiasm that they are building it together, they even made the bricks for the building themselves.

This group has also been able with the saved money to have a small business, they buy and sell fish!

It is amazing to see and hear that with some training and guidance  and very hard work, these communities are able to improve their conditions. 

At the end of the afternoon we visited an urban community, Mackenzie.

The situation for this group is much more complicated, since the members of this group don't own land, but are trying to rent. The conditions are difficult.

Ad suggested that they focus on urban agriculture, and micro-credit for trading.

They shared though, that their hart is in farming.

                     This cute little child peaked over the wall as we met with the group in Mackenzie.

All in all it was a very encouraging day.

On our way home we stopped along the way and bought some fruits and veggies from sellers along the road :) The umbrella made us chuckle.

Mosi-oa-Tunya

The next morning.

We were greeted by some "baboons" as we got out of our room.

Then off to a yummy breakfast :)

Tasty.

Off to visit the: Mosi-oa-Tunya = The Smoke that Thunders.

David Livingstone, when he came upon the falls renamed it: ""Victoria Falls".

another picture for Eli. 

Mir knows why! :)

October is the end of the dry season. Unfortunately there was only a little water coming over the Falls. They told us that at the end of the rainy season in March you need a heavy raincoat or you'll be soaked. 

It was still amazing to be here.

Sights when we drove away from the Falls. Very unexpected! 

A herd of about 25 elephants. Beautiful

This elephant was on the side of the road, very close.

and some donkeys.

We went back to the hotel to pick up our stuff, checked out.

We had a wonderful time together in Livingstone.

Along the way back we saw lots of these termite hills. 

and more villages.

In Livingstone

Jisca and Brent were able to secure a nice hotel for the 4 of us to stay at. This hotel belongs to the same management group:" The Three Cities", as where Jisca and Brent are working in Cape Town.

David Livingstone Safari Lodge, set along the Zambezi River

Having a drink together and catching up. It had been a year since we were together.

Jisca and Brent had done research and knew of some things we could do while in Livingstone.

We decided to take a boat ride on the Zambezi river. A sunset cruise.

It was beautiful. Not just the sunset, but also the animals we saw! And most of all, being together!!

One crocodile

Lots of hippo's

One giraffe

One elephant

Beautiful sunset

The four of us :)

Band on the boat

Back at the lodge.

Jisca and Brent came to visit.

Jisca and Brent had planned to take a vacation at the end of October, even before we knew we were going to Zambia. Cape Town being only 3000 km away from Lusaka, Zambia, they decided to come and see us:)
They flew into Livingstone, South-West from Lusaka, about a 6 hr. drive.
As they flew in on Friday, we drove to Livingstone on Saturday and met them there.
Following some pictures from our trip to Livingstone.

This scenery we saw a lot. Low bushes, dry yellow grass since it is the end of the dry season.

Crafts for sale, along the road.

Women selling fruit.

I just love to watch women with their baby on the back, but this on a bike, was a first:)

A few times we had to slow down or stop because of animals crossing.

More crafts along the road. I really liked the pottery.

Small village.

Playing children.

Entering the City Livingstone.

Livingstone, named after the explorer David Livingstone, used to be the Capital City of Zambia.

Around 1935 they chose Lusaka as the Capital City for its more central location and for its position on a high plateau, resulting in a cool climate.

CRWRC office

Before I am posting pictures and updates on Jisca and Brent's visit let me first show you the CRWRC office here in Lusaka, where Ad works

This is the house that is rented by the CRWRC office. But it is big and they have rented out the right side of the office to another organization called: Action Zambia.

This is the part that CRWRC is using

Ad in his office. This picture was taken on a Saturday afternoon, that's why there is no computer on his desk. His laptop was at home. 

And you know you are back in the tropics when you see this in the sink

(sink in the office bathroom)

Following a few pictures on our way to the office!

degage :) 

All the Flamboyant Trees are now in full bloom. Just beautiful!