I arrived in Lusaka today and met the rest of our Americans who have been here for a few days.
John, Megan, Bwalya, and I wasted no time heading to the coffee shop and organizing all our calendars together for the next few weeks. It was complete chaos as we tried to coordinate so much we need to do. It was rather entertaining as I only had about two hours of sleep.
We all then split and headed to our respected places and started working on our lists! John and Bwalya and I headed to buy a basketball rim for a hoop that we are having welded for one of our community schools. (they don't make basketball hoops you can buy in Zambia, so you have to get one made) After John and I somehow managed to buy an $80 basketball only to have to return it, we headed to Destiny school where our other Americans, Caroline and Michael were already there and meeting with folks and working on their chicken farming project.
We hung out at destiny for a long time today and we got to see all our sponsored kids and other friends we have there. We left with Caroline and Michael feeling like they have a good plan for the next day.
We had a great steak dinner at an awesome restaurant and then headed to bed.
Big day tomorrow folks!
- The crew!
Monday, July 18, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Buseco Market Fire
Yesterday we learned that the local market in the area of one of our community schools had caught on fire. We had many kids that lived in the market, in their "homes" made of sticks and plastic tarps. This market is also where a lot of wood is cut and straw is sold. It was very concerning for us and our Zambian team spent alot of time finding our kids and trying to help. They immediately went to the market when they found out and started checking on and gathering our kids.
This afternoon we learned that only two of our children were effected and they are physically OK. Goodson and Frank, are two of our sponsored kids and were inside their home when the homes caught on fire. Considering their house is made of plastic and timber, it quickly caught on fire and spread. The boys were able to escape but were concerned that their younger sister did not. she was found and unharmed by one of our staff. Their mother left for the northern provence about 4 or 5 months ago and has never returned. They were living by themselves.
Both boys had received clothes and new shoes from us in May in a effort to prepare them for winter (which is happening right now). The items were lost in the fire and they were very upset by this. Our staff did a great job of taking them to school and resupplying them with clothes, school supplies, and other items.
Photo from May
As of now, the boys are sleeping at the school and we are unsure of the future and where they will live. Please pray for these sweet kids and Arise Africa as well as we try to help them.
This afternoon we learned that only two of our children were effected and they are physically OK. Goodson and Frank, are two of our sponsored kids and were inside their home when the homes caught on fire. Considering their house is made of plastic and timber, it quickly caught on fire and spread. The boys were able to escape but were concerned that their younger sister did not. she was found and unharmed by one of our staff. Their mother left for the northern provence about 4 or 5 months ago and has never returned. They were living by themselves.
Both boys had received clothes and new shoes from us in May in a effort to prepare them for winter (which is happening right now). The items were lost in the fire and they were very upset by this. Our staff did a great job of taking them to school and resupplying them with clothes, school supplies, and other items.
Photo from May
As of now, the boys are sleeping at the school and we are unsure of the future and where they will live. Please pray for these sweet kids and Arise Africa as well as we try to help them.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Marriage Proposals
Today was a great day. I woke up this morning and headed out quickly to meet our Zambian team member Isaac. Isaac was with me the entire day and we accomplished ALOT! Our first stop was at Greenhill School, where we built them classrooms back in January. We had forgotten to tell them I was coming so it was a major surprise! It was awesome to see everyone and kids were learning in the classrooms. They have so much more space and classes aren't having to share rooms. Their high school kids are using the new classrooms, and they were very grateful. We had given them quite a few classroom decorations and school supplies and I was happy to see them being used. I think we might need to give a few pointers on how to decorate classrooms but they are definetely enthuiastic!
This particular classroom really enjoyed the construction paper we gave them:
We stayed at Greenhill for a while, and did some video and hung out with the kids.
Then Isaac and I started our errand running and we were on the move. We went into town which is always an adventure in itself. People are everywhere trying to sell you pirated DVDs to belts and even cell phone chargers on the street corners. Parking is a nightmare so people will fight for parking spots for you and in return you must pay them. This is always entertaining to me and luckily Isaac did a great job making sure we weren't ripped off. We found a pretty good parking spot and started our shopping.
We first went and bought school books for our sponsored children. After that we had a list of things that our Zambian team had asked us for which we of course forgot. so we had to keep calling Brenda and Susan which I am sure they were thrilled at! We bought them some more cooking pots and plates for our feeding program for our sposored kids. This meant going to the plastics store. They have a whole store that only sells every type of plastic available. From plastic chairs to forks, you buy it here.
As Isaac was paying for the plastics I walked outside to find a man selling giant wooden spoons that you use for stirring Enshima here. The girls had asked us to buy some so I began to ask him how much and then start the bartering process. I thought I was doing pretty good on the spoons and was about to pay when Isaac came out and asked how much he was charging me. He then proceeded to tell the man just because I was white I would not be getting ripped off and we paid about one fourth of what I had him at. That is when I was politely told to not buy a single thing anymore because my skin color was a disadvantage. I took that advice and kept my mouth shut the rest of the day when it came to price negogiating!
Our next stop was to buy some large pots for cooking and knives. We got some great knives but the pots were very expensive and I think I can get better prices in the USA and they can be brought over so we will wait on that. Isaac and I then made our last stop to buy washing soap for clothes. As we were walking to the car I was stopped by a stumbling drunk and dirty man who asked if I would marry him. I am sure my father is devestated but I declined.
We fought the traffic and left town and headed to one of our community schools where we met Brenda and Susan and unloaded our gear. We did some video at this school and followed up on a loan we had given them a few months ago. They purchased some industrial sewing machines and now make clothes which they sell and use the funds for their school. It is going remarkably well and seeing 6 women who now have jobs was really inspiring.
The last part of our day we went back to the local market where many of our sponsored kids live in tarp homes. We visited a few of their homes and gave out more clothes for winter and visited with parents and grandparents. We shot some video and hung out.
As weird as it sounds, it was really cool to be in the market at the end of the day. The sun was going down and I looked around and realized how lucky we are to be loved so much. As we went from house to house and were able to distribute food and clothes to grateful parents and children, I was overwhelmed at how blessed we are. I was honored to be there with our great Zambian team and was proud of them. They knew all the parents and kids and their siblings. They were loved in this community and it was evident. And I stood out like a sore thumb and was loved just as much. Well maybe not by the small babies who were scared of me because they had never seen a white person.
While in the city market I was asked by another stumbling, drunk and dirty man if I would marry him. Once again I declined.
It was a perfect way to end the day! (not the proposal, but visiting folks in the city market)
This particular classroom really enjoyed the construction paper we gave them:
We stayed at Greenhill for a while, and did some video and hung out with the kids.
Then Isaac and I started our errand running and we were on the move. We went into town which is always an adventure in itself. People are everywhere trying to sell you pirated DVDs to belts and even cell phone chargers on the street corners. Parking is a nightmare so people will fight for parking spots for you and in return you must pay them. This is always entertaining to me and luckily Isaac did a great job making sure we weren't ripped off. We found a pretty good parking spot and started our shopping.
We first went and bought school books for our sponsored children. After that we had a list of things that our Zambian team had asked us for which we of course forgot. so we had to keep calling Brenda and Susan which I am sure they were thrilled at! We bought them some more cooking pots and plates for our feeding program for our sposored kids. This meant going to the plastics store. They have a whole store that only sells every type of plastic available. From plastic chairs to forks, you buy it here.
As Isaac was paying for the plastics I walked outside to find a man selling giant wooden spoons that you use for stirring Enshima here. The girls had asked us to buy some so I began to ask him how much and then start the bartering process. I thought I was doing pretty good on the spoons and was about to pay when Isaac came out and asked how much he was charging me. He then proceeded to tell the man just because I was white I would not be getting ripped off and we paid about one fourth of what I had him at. That is when I was politely told to not buy a single thing anymore because my skin color was a disadvantage. I took that advice and kept my mouth shut the rest of the day when it came to price negogiating!
Our next stop was to buy some large pots for cooking and knives. We got some great knives but the pots were very expensive and I think I can get better prices in the USA and they can be brought over so we will wait on that. Isaac and I then made our last stop to buy washing soap for clothes. As we were walking to the car I was stopped by a stumbling drunk and dirty man who asked if I would marry him. I am sure my father is devestated but I declined.
We fought the traffic and left town and headed to one of our community schools where we met Brenda and Susan and unloaded our gear. We did some video at this school and followed up on a loan we had given them a few months ago. They purchased some industrial sewing machines and now make clothes which they sell and use the funds for their school. It is going remarkably well and seeing 6 women who now have jobs was really inspiring.
The last part of our day we went back to the local market where many of our sponsored kids live in tarp homes. We visited a few of their homes and gave out more clothes for winter and visited with parents and grandparents. We shot some video and hung out.
As weird as it sounds, it was really cool to be in the market at the end of the day. The sun was going down and I looked around and realized how lucky we are to be loved so much. As we went from house to house and were able to distribute food and clothes to grateful parents and children, I was overwhelmed at how blessed we are. I was honored to be there with our great Zambian team and was proud of them. They knew all the parents and kids and their siblings. They were loved in this community and it was evident. And I stood out like a sore thumb and was loved just as much. Well maybe not by the small babies who were scared of me because they had never seen a white person.
While in the city market I was asked by another stumbling, drunk and dirty man if I would marry him. Once again I declined.
It was a perfect way to end the day! (not the proposal, but visiting folks in the city market)
Back in Zambia
Well it's been a long time since we have blogged, and life has been crazy!
I arrived in Zambia a few days ago and have been checking in on our programs and kids and Zambian team. It has been great.
Yesterday I visited one of our partnering community schools where we have our child sponsorship program. Our American team had come in January and held a kids camp at the school and when I arrived I was attacked by kids hugging and asking me where everyone else was. They were definitely disappointed when I told them I was the only American to come!
Our child sponsorship program has grown since I was last here which has been a major blessing. Two of our staff members are at this school daily and help watch the kids, do Bible classes, help tutor, and feed them. They have done an amazing job at feeding them and watching the kids receive a great meal was really special. I can honestly say you see God's love for these kids. If you are a child sponsor we can't thank you enough.
We unloaded suitcases of childrens clothing I brought over because winter will be here in a few weeks in Zambia. A few of our bigger kids had not received any new clothing in a while because we didn't have their sizes or they were new to the sponsorship program. One child, Isaac, is new to our program and is one of our worse off. We got Isaac some clothes and visited his home after school.
Isaac lives with his father and his mother passed away about a year ago. They live in the local market where homes are made of tarps, cardboard, and a few wood posts. The homes are stacked on top of one another and you walk through a maze of people to get to where he lives. When we arrived Isaac's father was sitting outside his home of tarps making straw brooms, which he sells for about 20 cents each. There was a small fire going outside the home and we all sat on the dirt and began to chat. Isaac has a good father, who loves him and cares for his kids, the best he can. Our Zambian team had visited their home a few times and the father was beyond grateful for our help when we told him we would be covering Isaac's school fees for the term. Isaac's dad spoke English well and you could tell he was a strong man. He had a torn shirt on and thanked me for our help. Isaac had been to school with a dirty uniform the past few weeks so we had bought some soap for them. We also had bought a big bag of Mealie Meal, which is what they use to make their staple food Enshima. I joked with he father about how I have never met a Zambian who turned down Enshima. Isaac's brothers and sisters ran around as we all chatted and we drew a bit of a crowd with the white girl being in the middle of the slum. It is a rare occasion to see a white person in that area. As I sat and got to hang out I was so grateful that our team have cultivated these relationships with parents and kids that I get to come and be a tiny part of that too.
We also gave their family some clothes for the winter. I was lucky to bring over some great fleeces and coats that had been donated and Isaac also received a new pair of shoes, soccer cleats none the less but he LOVES them.
We were careful to bring clothes for his siblings.
As we handed over the clothes I couldn't help but notice the stark white t-shirts and the contrast of the dirty home and area they lived in. Although everyone has their homes as clean as possible, it is difficult when you have a dirt floor and barley any shelter. I was encouraged to know that Isaac will have a great fleece this winter that will keep him warm, because the "walls" of his home will offer little protection.
It is easy to get discouraged when you are in a place like the market visiting kids and people you love that live in plastic homes. But it also is extremely motivating and rewarding to offer aid and help and see the difference it makes in kids lives.
If you look at how Issac and his family were helped, it took a group of us. It took his American sponsor who monthly gives to support him, other Americans who donated kids clothes and shoes, and our Zambian team who commits themselves to knowing these children and families and loving on them daily.
We thank you for all your partnerships because that is the reason Isaac is helped!
- Alissa Hollimon
I arrived in Zambia a few days ago and have been checking in on our programs and kids and Zambian team. It has been great.
Yesterday I visited one of our partnering community schools where we have our child sponsorship program. Our American team had come in January and held a kids camp at the school and when I arrived I was attacked by kids hugging and asking me where everyone else was. They were definitely disappointed when I told them I was the only American to come!
Our child sponsorship program has grown since I was last here which has been a major blessing. Two of our staff members are at this school daily and help watch the kids, do Bible classes, help tutor, and feed them. They have done an amazing job at feeding them and watching the kids receive a great meal was really special. I can honestly say you see God's love for these kids. If you are a child sponsor we can't thank you enough.
We unloaded suitcases of childrens clothing I brought over because winter will be here in a few weeks in Zambia. A few of our bigger kids had not received any new clothing in a while because we didn't have their sizes or they were new to the sponsorship program. One child, Isaac, is new to our program and is one of our worse off. We got Isaac some clothes and visited his home after school.
Isaac lives with his father and his mother passed away about a year ago. They live in the local market where homes are made of tarps, cardboard, and a few wood posts. The homes are stacked on top of one another and you walk through a maze of people to get to where he lives. When we arrived Isaac's father was sitting outside his home of tarps making straw brooms, which he sells for about 20 cents each. There was a small fire going outside the home and we all sat on the dirt and began to chat. Isaac has a good father, who loves him and cares for his kids, the best he can. Our Zambian team had visited their home a few times and the father was beyond grateful for our help when we told him we would be covering Isaac's school fees for the term. Isaac's dad spoke English well and you could tell he was a strong man. He had a torn shirt on and thanked me for our help. Isaac had been to school with a dirty uniform the past few weeks so we had bought some soap for them. We also had bought a big bag of Mealie Meal, which is what they use to make their staple food Enshima. I joked with he father about how I have never met a Zambian who turned down Enshima. Isaac's brothers and sisters ran around as we all chatted and we drew a bit of a crowd with the white girl being in the middle of the slum. It is a rare occasion to see a white person in that area. As I sat and got to hang out I was so grateful that our team have cultivated these relationships with parents and kids that I get to come and be a tiny part of that too.
We also gave their family some clothes for the winter. I was lucky to bring over some great fleeces and coats that had been donated and Isaac also received a new pair of shoes, soccer cleats none the less but he LOVES them.
We were careful to bring clothes for his siblings.
As we handed over the clothes I couldn't help but notice the stark white t-shirts and the contrast of the dirty home and area they lived in. Although everyone has their homes as clean as possible, it is difficult when you have a dirt floor and barley any shelter. I was encouraged to know that Isaac will have a great fleece this winter that will keep him warm, because the "walls" of his home will offer little protection.
It is easy to get discouraged when you are in a place like the market visiting kids and people you love that live in plastic homes. But it also is extremely motivating and rewarding to offer aid and help and see the difference it makes in kids lives.
If you look at how Issac and his family were helped, it took a group of us. It took his American sponsor who monthly gives to support him, other Americans who donated kids clothes and shoes, and our Zambian team who commits themselves to knowing these children and families and loving on them daily.
We thank you for all your partnerships because that is the reason Isaac is helped!
- Alissa Hollimon
Monday, April 4, 2011
Unique Giving
Our Kershaw's Challenge Campaign is doing great and Clayton pitched 9 strike outs on opening day for a Dodgers win! We currently have about $1,500 raised and are excited about the future possibilities.
We wanted to highlight the first "Unique Gift" donation we have received from Benji Tackett. Benji made a donation in his parent's name in honor of their wedding anniversary!
Then we learned that his parents, Gene and Wendy, have done overseas missions with the Peace Corps and other organizations. They have worked in Kenya and India.
And of course they have been long time Dodger fans!
Gene and Wendy, we congratulate you on your wedding anniversary and thank you for your support in Kershaw's Challenge!
We wanted to highlight the first "Unique Gift" donation we have received from Benji Tackett. Benji made a donation in his parent's name in honor of their wedding anniversary!
Then we learned that his parents, Gene and Wendy, have done overseas missions with the Peace Corps and other organizations. They have worked in Kenya and India.
And of course they have been long time Dodger fans!
Gene and Wendy, we congratulate you on your wedding anniversary and thank you for your support in Kershaw's Challenge!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Play Ball (and please throw alot of Strikes!)
Arise Africa is excited to announce our new campaign called Kershaw's Challenge.
We have been blessed to partner with Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw in an effort to raise funds to build an orphanage. For every strikeout Clayton throws this season, he and his wife Ellen are donating $100 to "Kershaw's Challenge." Help us start this campaign and cheer on the Dodgers this season!!
Please take a look at Kershaw's Challenge and cheer on the Dodgers whose season opens in an hour!
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Charity of the month!
Today we received a phone call from, Sa Services, based in Houston Texas that told us that we had been chosen as charity of the month for their company!
We received a $1,200 donation as well as some publicity on their website!
Words cannot express our gratitude and thankfulness for our business partners.
And if you are ever in the need of a marketer of bulk commodities or shipment of some sulfuric acid, these are the folks to use!
We just can't wait until they start doing shipping to Africa! Because we got some "goods" in our garage that need to get over there! (and don't worry it isn't acid)
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