We visited a school today. One of the teachers, Dafne, gave us a tour. The school was in good shape with vegetable gardens, a kitchen an outdoor cafeteria, a medical center, a mini library. Books lined the shelves along with computers for teachers. We could see they had been funded well. As we entered the classroom, the children sat very still when we entered. They sang a sweet song, and then closed their eyes, folded their hands and began their morning prayers. So sweet to hear their little voices sing their prayer. Very touching. Melanie commented on how quiet they were to the teacher and she replied, "they know they have visitors." We had not witnessed this before in a classroom.
Our next stop was a meeting at a coffee shop. Yep, good coffee in Zimbabwe. As we sat and reflected on yesterday's training, we also planned the rest of our day with the DIrector, Charlotte Haggie and her assistant Marta. Due to exams in schools and schools not in session in the afternoons, we had some free time. Little did we know where our guides would take us...
Little by little through conversation we learned that our wonderful hosts had planned for us to see the caves in Zimbabwe, located in a national park. Off we went with Marta and her nephew's friend through Zimbawe's city and country side. Zimbabwe has a very weathly community, but as you drive out of the town into the rural areas, you begin seeing mud huts and how poverty takes ownership of the land. As we listened to American music, we witnessed vendors on street corners, people sitting on the streets, and cows walking along the roads. We eventually arrived to a rural area which was the national park with caves and ancient art work as their canvas. So, we began our hike up the terrain lined with rocks, beautiful trees and a blue sky. We learned that there were native "bushmen" as they called it who were native to the area. They lived in the caves and would tell their stories by drawing on rocks around them. As we kept climbing we noticed something moving in the trees -- Baboons. Yep, about five feet away. We were nervous and a little scared. But our guides said they were harmless. All Melanie could think was they were bigger than her and there were more of them than us. They were all hanging out in a tree right next to the art work we were trying to admire. We snapped pictures of the artwork and kept our eyes on the baboons. It was apparent we were more interested in them than they were of us. The scenery was gorgeous and we were thrilled to finally see a part of Afica that was rich in history. Plus the exercise felt great after sitting on so many planes! We were grateful. As we piled into the car we met some childen who sat and stared, trying to sell lemons. So many types of people, huts and animals lined the roads as we made our way back to the hotel.
As we prepared for our final dinner meeting with Charlotte Haggie, Giulietta felt something on her foot.
As she looked down, she saw serveral ants crawling on her. Giulietta then found more ants in her bed! We both went on an ant hunt. We were successful. We found the little rascles all over our carpets and bathroom and in Melanie's bed. Yuck. The hotel was kind enough to switch our room. The room we were given was nicer. We even had heat! Giulietta was thrilled. Melanie was grateful that Giulietta found the ants before the they went out for their dinner meeting and especially before they went to sleep that night.
We then went to dinner to a lovely place with Charlotte and had a great dinner. We had a fun time getting to know her and we were so happy to be out having some fun enjoying Zimbabwe. We felt inspired by the conversation. Charlotte shared stories about how she was given what she needed when she was down to her last dime. Melanie also shared stories about how she was also given what she needed. We all agreed that when you do good in the world, somehow you are always given what you need to continue making a difference. We were reminded that we are always given everything we need.
When we arrived to the hotel from dinner, we reflected on all the good things that happened to us along the way. Little things. Important things that kept us going. We decided to make a list of all the things we were given, circumstances that we thought were not what we expected or wanted, yet they became exactly what we needed.
As we finally departed Nairobi, we got to see the top of Mt. Kiliminjaro. We also wanted to see Victoria Falls, especially Giulietta. We gave up the on the idea. Until...after traveling 40 hours, our flight stoppedd in stopping in Livingston, which we were not happy about. But, the pilot circled around Victoria Falls just so his passengers could see it. Giulietta snapped perfect photos for both.
Glass of wine for three dollars after traveling for 48 hours.
Great fish and chips dinner.
The venue we used to train teachers was beautiful.
The number of teachers that attended the training were only 13, yet these teachers wanted to begin training other teachers right away. The intimacy of the small group was what they needed and actually what we needed.
After 48 hours of traveling, siting, we were able to hike and get some much needed exercise.
We were hoping to see more of Zimbabwe and we did just that when we traveled to the national park where the cave and cave drawings were.
Ants gave us a new deluxe room.
We made new friends inZimbabwe.
We were able to get extra malaria pills after realizing we did not bring enough for our safari!
Sometimes the circumstances didn't appear to be what we needed or even wanted, but we are learning to trust the process of life, each step of the way....knowing something good will come from it.
"Why worry? What is meant for you is always meant to find you." - An Indian poet, Saint Lalleshwari
We are now off to Kenya, our final destination!
Giulietta and Melanie
We made it to the cave drawings!
Ahhhh! Baboons!
Cave drawings
Mud huts
Streets of Outside of Harare
Little girl selling lemons
The children with their teacher in the preschool we visited
Dinner with our lovely host Charlotte!
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