Communities Without Borders Summer Trip 2017

Vegetable stand in a squatter community We took a walk this morning through Garden settlement which is a squatter camp near the center of Lusaka. When Zambia, formerly known as Northern Rhodesia, gained its independence from Great Britain, many colonial landowners left the country. Thinking there would be jobs in the cities, many Zambians moved to Lusaka and began squatting on land owned by the former colonists. And t oday these squatter camps are home to millions of Zambians. With very few paved roads, no sanitation services, no trash collection, and no zoning laws, these areas are crowded and dirty but bustling with life. People eke out livings by opening small shops, reselling food items, offering services such as "tyre repairs," small grocery stores, clothing shops, etc. Right next to the local clinic/hospital, we saw the local funeral shop. We stopped in at a pharmacy that was no bigger than 20 ft by 20 ft where the pharmacist had various antibiotics and antimalaria

Day 5 in Zambia. Sunday. Zambia's population is about 10% Muslim and 90% a wide variety of Christian sects. To appreciate a bit of the local culture one of our hosts took us to church at a local branch of Dynamic Worship Church International in a squatter settlement called Garden. And dynamic was certainly the word for this Pentecostal service! Vocalists, a backup choir, a fiery preacher, a slide show with the various verses of scripture posted for the congregation to see , an equally fiery translator who repeated every sentence of the sermon into the local Bemba language, stirring music, and a sermon that stirred much discussion among the members of our group. We were asked, as visitors, to stand up and introduce ourselves and talk about our mission to Zambia. After the 2 hour service, we met with the bishop who gave the sermon and were asked if our organization could help support their local school and orphanage too. So much help is needed here. After lunch, we visited the loc

As we sit here in Zambia separated by an ocean and a continent from our home, separated by race, separated by customs, separated by the foods we eat, separated by comforts we are used to, separated by the climates we are used to, we see that we are all people who want happiness, who want the best for our children, who want to be treated fairly and with respect from others, and who all want good health. We see that children universally are curious, smile readily, are willing to accept those who look different, and who can find wonderful ways to amuse themselves. I hope we can celebrate our diversities and accept others for who they are. Posted by Richard Moriarty