Just wanted to let you know that I was finally able to post the pictures we took throughout our journey.
We arrived safely home. Now begins the real work of determining how we can make the most of the opportunities presented. Will and I will be presenting our thoughts at a city council meeting in June. In the meantime, we hope to gather a group of community volunteers who will help make our dreams a reality.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Friday, May 23, 2008
Ubunandi
We met many new friends (ubunandi) during our time in Chililabombwe. Today we said our farewells to the council and city leadership. Before we left, we had an opportunity to meet with the member of parliament for Chililabombwe. She discussed the problems they have with the outlying areas of the township, where many people are unable to have access to basic healthcare and education.
She said the number one concern for her office is seeing the hospital (Kokosko) finished with its construction. This will allow those in outlying areas to have a place to stay and eat while they are treated. Otherwise, they have to stay with relatives nearby, if they have any. Either way, it's a burden for the community, and many people who could survive with basic care end up dying.
Schools are available through 7th grade, but after that, students must either move in with relatives in Chililabombwe, or not go to school. Those who don't go often marry at age 14, and oftentimes the girls are forced to marry against their will.
She shared with us how many of these areas also lack water resources, and are forced to travel to the Kafue River and haul their water. This water is not safe for drinking. However, if more community wells are built, there is hope for the community to be able to survive. A new well costs about $4,000 and can serve up to 2,500 people. All told, they need almost 100 wells to adequately supply water to these areas.
Additionally, they would like to create dams along the river, which can then be used for irrigation of new farms and orchards. By creating new resources for employment and capital, the residents of these areas could find themselves having better resources from the government (education, healthcare, environmental safety).
We finished the day with a ceremony officially declaring ourselves as Sister Cities. We presented the mayor and council with gifts from our community, and they presented us with gifts as well. My favorite gift was a ceremonial scarf with the Zambian flag colors. We also received copper wall clocks, which we will keep on Zambian time.
Tomorrow, we will visit Kitwe, who has a robust market on the weekends. There are opportunities for Chililabombweans to bring their goods to this market in the future.
She said the number one concern for her office is seeing the hospital (Kokosko) finished with its construction. This will allow those in outlying areas to have a place to stay and eat while they are treated. Otherwise, they have to stay with relatives nearby, if they have any. Either way, it's a burden for the community, and many people who could survive with basic care end up dying.
Schools are available through 7th grade, but after that, students must either move in with relatives in Chililabombwe, or not go to school. Those who don't go often marry at age 14, and oftentimes the girls are forced to marry against their will.
She shared with us how many of these areas also lack water resources, and are forced to travel to the Kafue River and haul their water. This water is not safe for drinking. However, if more community wells are built, there is hope for the community to be able to survive. A new well costs about $4,000 and can serve up to 2,500 people. All told, they need almost 100 wells to adequately supply water to these areas.
Additionally, they would like to create dams along the river, which can then be used for irrigation of new farms and orchards. By creating new resources for employment and capital, the residents of these areas could find themselves having better resources from the government (education, healthcare, environmental safety).
We finished the day with a ceremony officially declaring ourselves as Sister Cities. We presented the mayor and council with gifts from our community, and they presented us with gifts as well. My favorite gift was a ceremonial scarf with the Zambian flag colors. We also received copper wall clocks, which we will keep on Zambian time.
Tomorrow, we will visit Kitwe, who has a robust market on the weekends. There are opportunities for Chililabombweans to bring their goods to this market in the future.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Kokosko Medical Center and Chimfunsi Orphanage
Today we visited Kokosko Medical Center, another healthcare provider in Chililabombwe. Unlike the previous hospital we visited, this one is made available to the general public. It is funded by the central government, as are all centers like this in Zambia. Unfortunately, there are not enough resources to adequately meet the demands in Chililabombwe.
Because it is not an official hospital, Kokosko doesn't receive provision for providing food to patients, even those that are required to stay overnight for treatment. Local churches have volunteers that come in to cook. We saw ten women in a small kitchen cooking for over 50 people. The space and equipment is inadequate to meet these needs.
Most patients receive one meal, usually porridge made from ground peanuts and corn meal. Today they were getting chicken and vegetables (pumpkin leaves and something similar to broccoli), thanks to the ladies from the church.
Overall, there is inadequate space, meaning that a lot of the medication sits unopened in the hallways. There is one treatment area where wounds are dressed, patients are evaluated, and minor procedures performed. The laboratory facilities (hematology, microbiology, pathology, etc.) are fit in one room, and staffed by two committed doctors. They must do all of the testing and investigation for the hospital. This creates a backlog often, which only prolongs treatment opportunities.
Patients who are too seriously injured or ill are transfered to a hospital in Chingola. Because of this, approximately $8,000 per month earmarked for Chililabombwe goes to the hospital in Chingola to cover these costs. This money goes there regardless of how many patients are referred. Additionally, Chililabombwe has no ambulance, which makes travel difficult. The hospital receives about $1,200 per month to provide all cleaning, tests, and basic services.
(Chililabombwe is the size of a typical county in Texas, with the majority of people in the township, but many small villages scattered about. Again, without an ambulance service, many of these people are forced to walk or ride a bicycle to receive care.)
They also perform testing for tuberculosis and HIV. However, they are limited in how many tests they can perform per week, creating more backlog and delays in treatment. There is only one doctor in this office, who does all of the testing and counseling with the patients.
They have three wards (men, women, and children) where patients stay for observation. Each ward has been adopted by a church, who helps to clean and provide linens for the ward. Beds are limited as well.
The good news is that the town raised money to build a new laboratory, radiology department, and operating room. However, they still lack about $120,000 to finish. For now, the rooms are used for additional storage, and educational classes. We saw a class where nurses were teaching new mothers how to make porridge, because their children were malnourished.
Healthcare still costs about $2 per day, a stretch for many of those living in Chililabombwe. However, the town council is committed to providing as many people with healthcare as they can, using their own funds to help provide new facilities and equipment. If they can finish this building project, they will be recognized as a hospital, and the money that is being routed to Chingola will be kept in the community.
I have tried to stay as objective as possible in my reporting of conditions in Chililabombwe, but today was tough. I saw children my daughter's age who were ill and hungry, and the only comfort they have is a tiny bed surrounded by other sick children. I saw poor mothers trying to learn how to cook cheaply in order to provide basic nutrition for their children. The only ray of hope was the commitment of the community to do whatever it takes to provide for those who are unable to provide for themselves.
After our visit, we took the afternoon to visit the Chimfunsi Chimpanzee Orphanage. There are over 120 chimpanzees that have been rescued from mistreatment or poachers. We got to feed them bananas and learn some of their backgrounds. One chimp was taught to drink beer and smoke cigarettes before they arrived at the orphanage. They have a detox program (cold turkey) for these. They are training the chimps to reintegrate into their natural society, and are doing a great job.
There were some native monkeys roaming in the open, and one that has been tamed that took a liking to Will. He soon became a good friend, climbing on all of us, inspecting our shirt sleeves, and swinging on our arms.
Our tour finished with our visit to Billy the Hippo, raised at the orphanage since she was five weeks old. She's now over 16 years old. We caught her sleeping, and weren't able to get too close to her, but she was a marvel to behold.
I look forward to sharing thoughts with the community regarding our opportunities in Chililabombwe. I think there are ways where both of our towns can find mutual benefits through our relationship. I hope that you are proud of the vision of the city to see opportunities beyond our front yard (so to speak). I know I am.
Because it is not an official hospital, Kokosko doesn't receive provision for providing food to patients, even those that are required to stay overnight for treatment. Local churches have volunteers that come in to cook. We saw ten women in a small kitchen cooking for over 50 people. The space and equipment is inadequate to meet these needs.
Most patients receive one meal, usually porridge made from ground peanuts and corn meal. Today they were getting chicken and vegetables (pumpkin leaves and something similar to broccoli), thanks to the ladies from the church.
Overall, there is inadequate space, meaning that a lot of the medication sits unopened in the hallways. There is one treatment area where wounds are dressed, patients are evaluated, and minor procedures performed. The laboratory facilities (hematology, microbiology, pathology, etc.) are fit in one room, and staffed by two committed doctors. They must do all of the testing and investigation for the hospital. This creates a backlog often, which only prolongs treatment opportunities.
Patients who are too seriously injured or ill are transfered to a hospital in Chingola. Because of this, approximately $8,000 per month earmarked for Chililabombwe goes to the hospital in Chingola to cover these costs. This money goes there regardless of how many patients are referred. Additionally, Chililabombwe has no ambulance, which makes travel difficult. The hospital receives about $1,200 per month to provide all cleaning, tests, and basic services.
(Chililabombwe is the size of a typical county in Texas, with the majority of people in the township, but many small villages scattered about. Again, without an ambulance service, many of these people are forced to walk or ride a bicycle to receive care.)
They also perform testing for tuberculosis and HIV. However, they are limited in how many tests they can perform per week, creating more backlog and delays in treatment. There is only one doctor in this office, who does all of the testing and counseling with the patients.
They have three wards (men, women, and children) where patients stay for observation. Each ward has been adopted by a church, who helps to clean and provide linens for the ward. Beds are limited as well.
The good news is that the town raised money to build a new laboratory, radiology department, and operating room. However, they still lack about $120,000 to finish. For now, the rooms are used for additional storage, and educational classes. We saw a class where nurses were teaching new mothers how to make porridge, because their children were malnourished.
Healthcare still costs about $2 per day, a stretch for many of those living in Chililabombwe. However, the town council is committed to providing as many people with healthcare as they can, using their own funds to help provide new facilities and equipment. If they can finish this building project, they will be recognized as a hospital, and the money that is being routed to Chingola will be kept in the community.
I have tried to stay as objective as possible in my reporting of conditions in Chililabombwe, but today was tough. I saw children my daughter's age who were ill and hungry, and the only comfort they have is a tiny bed surrounded by other sick children. I saw poor mothers trying to learn how to cook cheaply in order to provide basic nutrition for their children. The only ray of hope was the commitment of the community to do whatever it takes to provide for those who are unable to provide for themselves.
After our visit, we took the afternoon to visit the Chimfunsi Chimpanzee Orphanage. There are over 120 chimpanzees that have been rescued from mistreatment or poachers. We got to feed them bananas and learn some of their backgrounds. One chimp was taught to drink beer and smoke cigarettes before they arrived at the orphanage. They have a detox program (cold turkey) for these. They are training the chimps to reintegrate into their natural society, and are doing a great job.
There were some native monkeys roaming in the open, and one that has been tamed that took a liking to Will. He soon became a good friend, climbing on all of us, inspecting our shirt sleeves, and swinging on our arms.
Our tour finished with our visit to Billy the Hippo, raised at the orphanage since she was five weeks old. She's now over 16 years old. We caught her sleeping, and weren't able to get too close to her, but she was a marvel to behold.
I look forward to sharing thoughts with the community regarding our opportunities in Chililabombwe. I think there are ways where both of our towns can find mutual benefits through our relationship. I hope that you are proud of the vision of the city to see opportunities beyond our front yard (so to speak). I know I am.
The Hutto News Article
From The Hutto News, our local paper:
The City of Hutto sent a three-person delegation to the Southern African nation of Zambia Saturday as part of a campaign to create a sister-city relationship with the Zambian city of Chililabombwe.
Hutto City Manager Ed Broussard, City Planner Will Guerin and Kyle Sears, pastor of Resonate Community Church in Hutto, left for a nine-day trip and will return on Memorial Day. Sears said nearly three full days will be spent traveling, allowing the group to spend about six days in Chililabombwe.
The City of Hutto has allocated $10,000 to cover expenses for the trip.
The group will meet with representatives of the federal government of Zambia, including the Minister of the Interior, Sears said. They will also meet with local representatives of the city government, schools and the business community in Chililabombwe.
The idea to form a sister-city relationship with a city in Africa came from Sears.
The City of Hutto sent a three-person delegation to the Southern African nation of Zambia Saturday as part of a campaign to create a sister-city relationship with the Zambian city of Chililabombwe.
Hutto City Manager Ed Broussard, City Planner Will Guerin and Kyle Sears, pastor of Resonate Community Church in Hutto, left for a nine-day trip and will return on Memorial Day. Sears said nearly three full days will be spent traveling, allowing the group to spend about six days in Chililabombwe.
The City of Hutto has allocated $10,000 to cover expenses for the trip.
The group will meet with representatives of the federal government of Zambia, including the Minister of the Interior, Sears said. They will also meet with local representatives of the city government, schools and the business community in Chililabombwe.
The idea to form a sister-city relationship with a city in Africa came from Sears.
“I’d had the idea that we as a community could somehow partner with a community in Africa to have a means of investing in them and helping out with the global concerns of malaria and AIDS, stuff like that,” he said.
Sears said he began developing his idea last year.
“I’d heard about communities doing something similar,” he said. “It sparked my interest.”
The city’s name means “place of the croaking frog,” but it was another native animal that got the attention of Sears and Hutto City officials.
“I thought it would be fun for Hutto to find a place in Africa with a hippo population,” Sears said. “Chililabombwe is known for its hippo pools.”
Though the hippos of Chililabombwe are what first got Sears’ attention, he said there is more to the trip than promoting Hutto’s mascot.
“The hippos caught my eye,” he said. “There are lots of opportunities for business development on Hutto’s behalf.”
The African city was formerly named Bancroft. Its population is approximately 93,000. The main economic activity there is copper mining.
Sears said he hopes the trip will initiate an official relationship with Sister Cities International, a nonprofit organization that seeks to “build global cooperation at the municipal level, promote cultural understanding and stimulate economic development” by connecting U.S. and international communities, according to the organization’s Web site.
Sears said the city is paying for a third of the cost of his ticket, while his church will cover most of his other costs, though he said spreading religion is not the aim of his trip.
The partnership is “just a means of helping people,” he said. “I can do that without proselytizing.”
Both Broussard and Guerin are using money in the city budget to cover their expenses, but not everyone in Hutto is convinced the trip is worth the money.
“I think the whole idea is foolish right now,” said Marion Wallace, retiree and resident of Hutto. “I fail to comprehend how this is going to benefit Hutto monetarily.
“The focus with Hutto needs to be with the citizens, the homeowners, and the people of Hutto, not in Africa,” she said. “To me it’s charity. It’s just not benefiting Hutto.”
Broussard said the trip is worth the expense because it will give the Hutto name wider recognition outside the Austin area.
Sears said it might have another positive effect on the community as well.
“By building a sense of community around this project, people will get more involved,” he said.
The community can follow the delegation’s trip at www.huttozambia.com, a running Web log of the trip.
The Times of Zambia Article
From The Times of Zambia, a national newspaper:
An American delegation from Hutto in Texas is in Zambia to establish an alliance with the Chililabombwe District Council as well as explore possible investment opportunities.
The delegation led by Hutto-Texas Town Clerk, Edward Broussard was scheduled to conduct a four-day tour of various places in the district, among them Kasumbalesa border post and Konkola Copper Mines plant area.
Other areas on the itinerary include Konkola Stadium, the council library and Kakoso Clinic as well as meetings with Government heads of department and various business groups.
Speaking during the delegation’s meeting with the Chililabombwe council management staff on Monday, Mr Broussard said the chamber of commerce and other business entities in Texas were awaiting their report after the visit with the view of investing in Chililabombwe and offering assistance where necessary.
He also hailed the prevailing peace in Zambia and expressed optimism that the visit would result in a partnership that would benefit the communities in both Chililabombwe and Hutto-Texas.
And acting Chililabombwe Town Clerk, Goldwin Chinoya said in his presentation that the formation of an alliance between the two towns would ensure the exchange of information and was cardinal for social and economic development.
He assured the delegation that the district had enough land for infrastructure development and other investments and that the local authority was working at upgrading Kasumbalesa border post, which had recorded increased trade in the recent past.
An American delegation from Hutto in Texas is in Zambia to establish an alliance with the Chililabombwe District Council as well as explore possible investment opportunities.
The delegation led by Hutto-Texas Town Clerk, Edward Broussard was scheduled to conduct a four-day tour of various places in the district, among them Kasumbalesa border post and Konkola Copper Mines plant area.
Other areas on the itinerary include Konkola Stadium, the council library and Kakoso Clinic as well as meetings with Government heads of department and various business groups.
Speaking during the delegation’s meeting with the Chililabombwe council management staff on Monday, Mr Broussard said the chamber of commerce and other business entities in Texas were awaiting their report after the visit with the view of investing in Chililabombwe and offering assistance where necessary.
He also hailed the prevailing peace in Zambia and expressed optimism that the visit would result in a partnership that would benefit the communities in both Chililabombwe and Hutto-Texas.
And acting Chililabombwe Town Clerk, Goldwin Chinoya said in his presentation that the formation of an alliance between the two towns would ensure the exchange of information and was cardinal for social and economic development.
He assured the delegation that the district had enough land for infrastructure development and other investments and that the local authority was working at upgrading Kasumbalesa border post, which had recorded increased trade in the recent past.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Munishani
Our first visit today was to the Kongola Copper Mine (KCM). The mine is the major employer in Chililabombwe, with over 7,000 permanent employees. Tomorrow we will visit the mine shaft, over 1000 feet deep. This mine also operates the world's largest open pit copper mine, just outside of Chililabombwe. KCM helps the township by providing roads and streetlights (most of the road in Chililabombwe are paved, unlike other Zambian towns) and residential assistance through home building. They used to sponsor local sports programs, but have recently ceased. They do sponsor the National Football program, which has a stadium in Chililabombwe.
From there, we traveled to their waste water area, a series of ponds that collect the sewage, which is skimmed every so often. There's crocodiles in these ponds, which we got to see. Unfortunately, no one brought a live chicken, so we didn't get to see them up close. We also traveled to the main pump that brings water in from the Kafue River. In addition to this water source, Chililabombwe also has a lot of underground water that comes up from the mines.
We paid an unexpected visit to a local farm. The owners, the only Anglo people we have seen so far, are life-long residents of Chililabombwe. They raise cattle for milk and meat, pigs, chickens, ducks, and turkeys, as well as grow corn, tomatoes, peppers, onions, and the like. They are completely self-sustained, and able to employ several locals in their work. They raise so much food that they are able to sell it in market and across the northern part of Zambia. Additionally, they are growing a native pea pod that can't be eaten, but can be used to create a biofuel similar to ethanol (only not grown from a food source). The farm also is a host to a couple of deer, brown fruit bats, and three parrots. As they border the Kafue, they also can see wildlife such as crocodiles and hippos from their porch! (We didn't see any...)
Following our visit, we went to the local bowling club (not like our bowling, but similar to bocce ball). Here we sampled traditional Zambian food: chicanga (African bologna, made from ground peanuts and spices), kapenta (dried sardines in spices), chibwabwa (a relish like mixture of ground peanuts and pumpkin leaves), and ifishimu (fried caterpillars). We tasted all of them. The chicanga tasted OK, but had a weird texture, like meat jello. I'm not a fan of sardines, so drying them doesn't help. The chibwabwa was similar to spinach in flavor, with a little peanut in the background. And, yes, the caterpillars weren't that bad. Not something I would eat by the spoonful like the locals, but I was able to eat them without gagging, or even coming close.
Over lunch, we learned more Bemba, including "munishani" meaning "how are you?" and "bwino" meaning "fine." We hope to impress the town clerk tomorrow!
Next, we visited the hospital owned and operated by KCM. The hospital is available for free to miners and their families, and for a subsidized fee for those that can afford it. In addition to general practice, they also have seven specialist and an outpatient clinic. The mine has also started a program where they spray every home, every year, for mosquitoes. This has resulted in an 80% decline in malaria cases, and no deaths in the past four years. It costs $5 per home, and KCM has spent $2 million for this cause. Due to their persistence, they now save over $1 millions per year. The mine won't be around forever, though, so they are encouraging the city council to begin to make plans to take over the project. It has become so successful, it is now being used as a model throughout the country. We haven't seen one mosquito while we have been here.
We also met their dentist, who would like to see more preventative education done. They were able to do a free week of care, but with a small staff they were only able to take care of the most acute infections and decay. She is trying to partner with the Zambian Education Agency and Colgate to provide more education through the schools.
The hospital is staffed by highly educated personnel, including many females. KCM prides itself on an egalitarian workforce. Additionally, they have lots of quality equipment, from radiology to hematology and biochemistry. Their radiology department hosts the only fluoroscope in the country.
Tomorrow we will visit the government clinic, provided free to everyone, but substantially less equipment and quality. The town council hopes to develop it into a full-functioning hospital so all of the citizens of Chililabombwe will have adequate healthcare.
We have enjoyed our stay, and have been able to stay in touch with our loved ones throughout. Thanks for thinking of us!
From there, we traveled to their waste water area, a series of ponds that collect the sewage, which is skimmed every so often. There's crocodiles in these ponds, which we got to see. Unfortunately, no one brought a live chicken, so we didn't get to see them up close. We also traveled to the main pump that brings water in from the Kafue River. In addition to this water source, Chililabombwe also has a lot of underground water that comes up from the mines.
We paid an unexpected visit to a local farm. The owners, the only Anglo people we have seen so far, are life-long residents of Chililabombwe. They raise cattle for milk and meat, pigs, chickens, ducks, and turkeys, as well as grow corn, tomatoes, peppers, onions, and the like. They are completely self-sustained, and able to employ several locals in their work. They raise so much food that they are able to sell it in market and across the northern part of Zambia. Additionally, they are growing a native pea pod that can't be eaten, but can be used to create a biofuel similar to ethanol (only not grown from a food source). The farm also is a host to a couple of deer, brown fruit bats, and three parrots. As they border the Kafue, they also can see wildlife such as crocodiles and hippos from their porch! (We didn't see any...)
Following our visit, we went to the local bowling club (not like our bowling, but similar to bocce ball). Here we sampled traditional Zambian food: chicanga (African bologna, made from ground peanuts and spices), kapenta (dried sardines in spices), chibwabwa (a relish like mixture of ground peanuts and pumpkin leaves), and ifishimu (fried caterpillars). We tasted all of them. The chicanga tasted OK, but had a weird texture, like meat jello. I'm not a fan of sardines, so drying them doesn't help. The chibwabwa was similar to spinach in flavor, with a little peanut in the background. And, yes, the caterpillars weren't that bad. Not something I would eat by the spoonful like the locals, but I was able to eat them without gagging, or even coming close.
Over lunch, we learned more Bemba, including "munishani" meaning "how are you?" and "bwino" meaning "fine." We hope to impress the town clerk tomorrow!
Next, we visited the hospital owned and operated by KCM. The hospital is available for free to miners and their families, and for a subsidized fee for those that can afford it. In addition to general practice, they also have seven specialist and an outpatient clinic. The mine has also started a program where they spray every home, every year, for mosquitoes. This has resulted in an 80% decline in malaria cases, and no deaths in the past four years. It costs $5 per home, and KCM has spent $2 million for this cause. Due to their persistence, they now save over $1 millions per year. The mine won't be around forever, though, so they are encouraging the city council to begin to make plans to take over the project. It has become so successful, it is now being used as a model throughout the country. We haven't seen one mosquito while we have been here.
We also met their dentist, who would like to see more preventative education done. They were able to do a free week of care, but with a small staff they were only able to take care of the most acute infections and decay. She is trying to partner with the Zambian Education Agency and Colgate to provide more education through the schools.
The hospital is staffed by highly educated personnel, including many females. KCM prides itself on an egalitarian workforce. Additionally, they have lots of quality equipment, from radiology to hematology and biochemistry. Their radiology department hosts the only fluoroscope in the country.
Tomorrow we will visit the government clinic, provided free to everyone, but substantially less equipment and quality. The town council hopes to develop it into a full-functioning hospital so all of the citizens of Chililabombwe will have adequate healthcare.
We have enjoyed our stay, and have been able to stay in touch with our loved ones throughout. Thanks for thinking of us!
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
The Croaking Frog
Chililabombwe means "croaking frog", so the town is known as the City of the Croaking Frog. We made our first venture to town today. We arrived later than scheduled, but it was due to the kind folks of the town council providing us with transportation, so we didn't complain.
We meet the town clerk, the equivalent of our city manager, and the mayor. They then introduced us to most of the 22 members of their city council. Each council person has a paid position within the city, overseeing various departments and committees. They are elected by their district within the city. Chililabombwe was a town of 3,000 people in 2000, but exploded to over 90,000 today when the mines began to open. And we thought Hutto grew quickly!
Their civic center (equivalent to our city hall) had beautiful landscaping. The people were friendly and welcoming, and we soon began to relax and get to know one another. Zambians have two types of handshakes, the formal one we are used to, and another one that goes handshake-fist pump-handshake. It means they are enthusiastic about seeing you. We messed up the first couple (not knowing what was happening), but soon got used to it.
Much of their government functions are centralized at the national level (police, education, health, etc.). They are moving toward a decentralization, which will cut through most of the bureaucracy that they struggle with now. They are literally forming new city government, and I feel we may be able to help them as they transition.
After our introductions, we were escorted to the border area between Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. There is only one road in the south that leads to the Congo, and it is through Chililabombwe. This offers a lot of potential for new industry and retail development, as most of the trade is done with South Africa and then trucked over 1,000 miles to the Congo.
The area itself is packed with trucks, probably going back at least a mile, plus parked in "no man's land", a safe, shared zone between the borders. Sometimes the trucks must wait two weeks before their papers are cleared to enter. Due to this time, there are many opportunities for selling goods and services. The mayor already added a goat farm nearby, as the people of the Congo prefer it over beef.
We shared lunch with them, at a restaurant with primarily American food. They promised more traditional fare, including friend caterpillars, for tomorrow. Don't worry, I'm bringing my camera.
After lunch, we toured the town. The town center (think downtown) was mostly banks and shops, and comparatively more upper class. The homes that executives live in are in disrepair and fairly small (compared to homes in Hutto). As we moved further from the town center, we saw open air markets, selling everything from vegetables, dried fish, clothes, hardware, and furnishings. These areas were primarily for miners (copper mining is their primary industry). Homes here are nothing more than shacks, some fitting three families in one room. The town grew so quickly that they had no place to house all of the new residents. As a result, little districts popped up where people built their own shelters. The city is stuck between trying to improve conditions without demolishing the area.
The mayor said that most people are happy with this lifestyle, as they are used to much worse. Their primary concerns are providing food and shelter for their family. Anything else is seen as a blessing. It gives good perspective concerning the common worries we have. Life could be a lot worse.
Tomorrow, we travel to tour the mines, football (soccer) stadium, and hospital.
If you have any questions or would like more detail, please leave a comment. It has been a very long day and my mind is still trying to remember everything, but having a hard time doing so. If I don't know the answer, I'll be sure to ask one of our guides.
We meet the town clerk, the equivalent of our city manager, and the mayor. They then introduced us to most of the 22 members of their city council. Each council person has a paid position within the city, overseeing various departments and committees. They are elected by their district within the city. Chililabombwe was a town of 3,000 people in 2000, but exploded to over 90,000 today when the mines began to open. And we thought Hutto grew quickly!
Their civic center (equivalent to our city hall) had beautiful landscaping. The people were friendly and welcoming, and we soon began to relax and get to know one another. Zambians have two types of handshakes, the formal one we are used to, and another one that goes handshake-fist pump-handshake. It means they are enthusiastic about seeing you. We messed up the first couple (not knowing what was happening), but soon got used to it.
Much of their government functions are centralized at the national level (police, education, health, etc.). They are moving toward a decentralization, which will cut through most of the bureaucracy that they struggle with now. They are literally forming new city government, and I feel we may be able to help them as they transition.After our introductions, we were escorted to the border area between Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. There is only one road in the south that leads to the Congo, and it is through Chililabombwe. This offers a lot of potential for new industry and retail development, as most of the trade is done with South Africa and then trucked over 1,000 miles to the Congo.
The area itself is packed with trucks, probably going back at least a mile, plus parked in "no man's land", a safe, shared zone between the borders. Sometimes the trucks must wait two weeks before their papers are cleared to enter. Due to this time, there are many opportunities for selling goods and services. The mayor already added a goat farm nearby, as the people of the Congo prefer it over beef.
We shared lunch with them, at a restaurant with primarily American food. They promised more traditional fare, including friend caterpillars, for tomorrow. Don't worry, I'm bringing my camera.
After lunch, we toured the town. The town center (think downtown) was mostly banks and shops, and comparatively more upper class. The homes that executives live in are in disrepair and fairly small (compared to homes in Hutto). As we moved further from the town center, we saw open air markets, selling everything from vegetables, dried fish, clothes, hardware, and furnishings. These areas were primarily for miners (copper mining is their primary industry). Homes here are nothing more than shacks, some fitting three families in one room. The town grew so quickly that they had no place to house all of the new residents. As a result, little districts popped up where people built their own shelters. The city is stuck between trying to improve conditions without demolishing the area.
The mayor said that most people are happy with this lifestyle, as they are used to much worse. Their primary concerns are providing food and shelter for their family. Anything else is seen as a blessing. It gives good perspective concerning the common worries we have. Life could be a lot worse.
Tomorrow, we travel to tour the mines, football (soccer) stadium, and hospital.
If you have any questions or would like more detail, please leave a comment. It has been a very long day and my mind is still trying to remember everything, but having a hard time doing so. If I don't know the answer, I'll be sure to ask one of our guides.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Finally Here
After almost two full days of traveling, we've arrived at our home for the next week. The flight to Ndola was great, the people in Zambia a very friendly. After our arrival in Ndola, we took a two hour drive through the Copperbelt, finally arriving at Chingola this afternoon.
Along the side of the road were families selling fruits and vegetables, crafts, and lumber. I was surprised to see pine trees growing, almost as thick as driving through East Texas. They drive on the other side of the road here, and when you mix that plus low quality roads plus "adventurous" driving, it makes you thankful to make it to your destination.
Here's some pics of the hotel where we are staying:
That's smoke in the distance in the first picture, we weren't really sure why it started, but glad it ended. During dinner, we got a surprise visit from Kebby, our Sister City liaison, as well as a representative from the town council and her husband. The next week looks to be a full and meaningful time. Check back tomorrow for more updates.
Along the side of the road were families selling fruits and vegetables, crafts, and lumber. I was surprised to see pine trees growing, almost as thick as driving through East Texas. They drive on the other side of the road here, and when you mix that plus low quality roads plus "adventurous" driving, it makes you thankful to make it to your destination.
Here's some pics of the hotel where we are staying:
That's smoke in the distance in the first picture, we weren't really sure why it started, but glad it ended. During dinner, we got a surprise visit from Kebby, our Sister City liaison, as well as a representative from the town council and her husband. The next week looks to be a full and meaningful time. Check back tomorrow for more updates.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
In Johannesburg, South Africa
After a long trip, we are almost there! We have a layover in South Africa tonight, and will head for Zambia first thing in the morning.
The trip has gone well so far. Actually, there's not a lot to report. Everyone is a little exhausted from the flight (15 hours). I have never flown internationally before, but I would say that it was (overall) a pleasant experience. The food was pretty good, and I got to watch most of "There Will Be Blood" on the plane.
I guess I slept about four hours or so, occasionally waking up because my arm or leg had fallen asleep.
Tomorrow afternoon we should arrive in Chingola, and we will start our work on Tuesday. I can't wait!
The trip has gone well so far. Actually, there's not a lot to report. Everyone is a little exhausted from the flight (15 hours). I have never flown internationally before, but I would say that it was (overall) a pleasant experience. The food was pretty good, and I got to watch most of "There Will Be Blood" on the plane.
I guess I slept about four hours or so, occasionally waking up because my arm or leg had fallen asleep.
Tomorrow afternoon we should arrive in Chingola, and we will start our work on Tuesday. I can't wait!
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Imfubu at Dulles Internatilnal
Here's Imfubu, hanging out with Ed while he checks his email. Always working!
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
A Worthwhile Investment
We received our first major news coverage tonight, with CBS 42 highlighting the opportunities that await us on our trip. Personally, I'm proud of our city for their vision to commit to the value of community service. This initial investment will open the door to possibilities of not only entering into the global community, but opportunities that will benefit Hutto too.
I hope that as more and more citizens join our efforts, that their spirit of serving others impacts their daily activities as well. Imagine a community where we are knit together by what we do for others, rather than what we expect others to do for us!
I think that the money being spent in this initial visit is a worthwhile investment as we enter into our Sister City relationship. In the future, as we seek funding through grants and community fund-raisers, I hope to see tangible results spring up from the information we gain over the next two weeks.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Imfubu
Imfubu means hippo in Bemba, a local dialect of the Copperbelt region of Zambia. Chililabombwe is located in this region, and we will soon be leaving for our first trip to visit our Sister City! Check this space for pictures and thoughts as we travel, as well as how you can begin to help us.
Here's a picture of our little imfubu, courtesy of Everything Hippo.
Here's a picture of our little imfubu, courtesy of Everything Hippo.
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