Friday 1 June 2012


This is the borehole or well -- it is being pumped every hour of  the day
and is the only source of water for the village.


Bob Beaudoin planting a tree -- which was one of the toughest jobs.


The cookhouse and ablution station.


Peter Murray planting a tree.


Claudia Beaudoin carrying building blocks in wheelbarrow.


Yesterday was our last day in Mazabuka and I asked each of the team two people to say few words.  Internet and power challenges prevented us from posting this last night.....from Zambia

 Two weeks have flown by - every day I look forward to seeing the children at the school worksite. The highlight was a young girl bringing her library book to the well for one of us to read the story book to her.

-Claudia

This is a life dream come true. This week, I stood with an extraordinarily skilled Zambian foreman named Hardwell on scaffolding and placed bricks and worked mortar per his instructions -- and made some small contribution to the construction of a school in rural Munenga which will teach, for generations to come, children who would not otherwise have an opportunity to read and write. I have been part of a team comprised of extraordinary people, working and sweating alongside my "mortar mates": Siggy, whose tireless strength and good nature is an inspiration; Peter, who is closer to a real-life super hero than any other person I have ever met -- a natural leader who does everything well and always has the interests and the benefits of others at heart; Steve, who is keenly analytical, enthusaistic, intuituve, and good natured in everything he does; Ben, who is a phenomonen of a man -- a soldier and a preacher and a fiance and a friend -- who is enormously charismatic and kind and fun; and Bob, who is an amazingly sophisticated interpreter and decision-maker in the world of the law, and yet a humble and gentle man who is working to do incredible good where it is needed most out of the inspiration in his heart. The women we have worked alongside have been even more impressive (but I will leave their praises to another among the crew, as I am out of time and out of space). This has been a brilliant week and I am grateful to a degree that I cannot express in words. Twalumba capiti, everyone. Twalumba capiti, Holy Father.

- Dan

I sit here at a table in a courtyard under unfamiliar stars, and my task has been set for me. Dan has assigned me the task of talking about the women with whom I`ve been hauling water, filling cisterns, and planting trees all week. So, I`ll tell you that everyone I`ve been working with (Laurie, Anastasia, Jane, and Claudia) have lugged capelas of menda with more enthusiasm than I ever could have expected. But, as much admiration as I have for these women (and I have plenty), we are not the real stars of this show. For every bucket of water that I lugged to a cistern, the women of the village of Munenga will have to haul a thousand. This school that we have helped to set in motion will be theirs to maintain and cherish, and I know that they will. This evening, after a long day in the sun (a day that did not end for the locals when we left exhausted on our mini-bus), we were treated to a few speeches by the wonderful women at PAF. One of them told us that we were an inspiration. I was baffled. I couldn`t imagine anyone more inspiring than these women who allowed us to make a dream a reality, and the people of Munenga who will sustain and build on this dream for years to come.

-Tara

As we see this part of our African journey come to an end, I am considering what to take from this week. It’s difficult, or maybe impossible, to put into words what this experience has meant to me. I have heard and read that Africa can be life changing and I can see why. While I will reserve judgment on the question of whether and how Africa has changed my life until I have completed my trip, I can say that there have been some very remarkable things that have happened this week. The women have impressed and amazed me. They have a strength, beauty and grace that must be experienced to fully understand. I had no idea the women we would meet here and so it has been a wonderful, unexpected surprise. And the children have also been outstanding. They often look at you with a bit of wonder and uncertainty as you pass by on the road, but as soon as you smile or wave, they break into big, beautiful smile and wave back with absolute enthusiasm. It has been fun to sing and laugh with them and to take their photos and experience their delight as you show them their photo. I will miss the daily interaction with them. It has been a wonderful week and I feel privileged to have played a small part in the building of a school where children will receive a good, solid education close to home. I am always a little sad to leave a place and I will be particularly so when I leave Zambia and ultimately Africa.   LAURIE

I feel incredibly welcome by the people of Munenga. They are genuine in everything they do.  When a person shakes my hand and smiles at me, I feel embraced by them as I never have by other people that I have just met.  They are incredibly hospitable. What has most surprised me is that, while we are here to work on a project that will help the people here, they want to know about us. They genuinely want to know my name, where I come from, what my profession is and who my family is. The Zambians I have met are a strong people, in their physicality, their faith, their conviction, their love and their goals. I am so happy to have had the opportunity to meet these incredible people. -Madryn

We came to the village of  Munenga expecting to share our skills with the people of the community not expecting anything in return.  After the past few days we have come to realize that the people of Munenga may not have many material things but they are more than willing to share what they have and show their appreciation for the efforts we have done.  Throughout the construction they have been incredibly patient with us and taught us many skills that we have never practiced.  Their ability to share with outsiders is uncanny and they gladly receive us with warm smiles.  The people have displayed a huge passion for education and this build has given the people hope for a more enlightened future for their children.  The fact that after every day of building we end the days sweaty, worn, and tired but somehow still manage to smile has shown that this is good work indeed.

-Ben

 I cannot convey into words the glowing embers of love in my heart that I have felt from the people here.  It has been an unbelievable experience from our enthusiastic welcome to our heartfelt goodbye.  I learned so much about my fellow lawyers and friends, and learned an incredible amount from the amazing people here.  You occasionally get sore, but then you see a 72-year-old woman walk by with a cinder block on her head, and you just have to shake your head in disbelief and carry on.  The children you pass by on the bus are so interested in us that they run at the bus enthusiastically wave as we pass by.   The gratefulness that has been expressed to us all in assisting to build a schoolhouse for the community and learning the stories of the people who have lived here for their entire lives has been an unparalleled experience that I am so fortunate to have shared in.

-Sig
It’s 23:00 as I sit here for my last evening on the tiled patio at the Royal Laricio in Mazabuka. Six of us remain standing (or sitting, as the case may be, and I leave it to the reader to determine who those six are). This evening is a typical one and indicative of the past three nights here. What is remarkable to me is that hanging out with the people I have met for the first time on this trip feels as though I have been doing it for years. I can only guess that this feeling is based on the experiences we have shared over the past three days.

For me, driving to the work site on Tuesday was a hint of things to come – after a 30 minute, bumpy and dusty drive down a dirt road ended with an arrival at a construction site where we were greeted with a team of smiling, dancing and singing people whose joy at our arrival was so palpable that I couldn’t keep my eyes dry. After a brief introduction, hugs from complete strangers, and a blessing in Tonga from a local, we donned our leather work gloves and set to work.
Our construction efforts over our three days in Munenga were full of stories and anecdotes, but the most impressive aspect of the entire experience was how humbled I felt at being surrounded by people who, despite having practically nothing of their own (by Western standards) and no exposure to the way of life to which I have become so accustomed, were able to lift bricks on their heads, mix mortar by hand, create a personal estate with clay bricks and straw, and absolutely floor the most athletic of us (which was not me, by the way) with their sheer physical strength and endurance. But even more impressive is that, despite all of that, they have the best joie-de-vivre of any culture I’ve ever seen. These people are truly happy, welcoming, and curious about the world around them. Everyone from our Zambian project organizers to the local children in the village were inspiringly appreciative, and I can only hope that, one day, those of us in North America can live as well as these people do.

So here we are at the end of our building experience, each of us taking a little piece of the Zambian spirit with us. Even with the very few years I knew Iain Beaudoin, I am sure he would have appreciated that his family, closest friends, and others of us from the legal community are all gathered in this part of the world in his memory in an effort to make an impact on this part of the world..

-Steve

Tuesday 29 May 2012


 We had great day at the building site today.  The highlight was having Mrs Jennifer Chiwela climbing onto the scaffolding to help with the bricklaying.  We also planted three more trees and carried at least one million buckets of water to fill the cistern, make the mortar and keep the bricks wet so that they do not dry too quickly and crack in the sun.  The second week group (aka the young people) distinguished themselves by getting into the work quickly and with great energy and enthusiasm.  We expect to have the last wall finished tomorrow and then work will begin on the gables.  We are all tired, but pleased with our efforts today.

Jane Murray

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Monday 28 May 2012





as promised - pictures!   the first one is the welcome from the villagers when we arrived in Munenge.  The second is the school as we found it when we arrived and the third is Norman at work on the scaffolding .  More to come tomorrow!
This will be our last stop at Arcades before heading of to Mazabuka.

Last night we dined with our second Supreme Court Judge and the head of the Zambian Human Rights Commission.  We enjoyed a fabulous feast and an interesting and entertaining discussion about the similarities and differences between Zambian and Canadian treatment of human rights. 

This morning we had breakfast with Rev. Peggy - who is the head of the United Church of Zambia and again we were made to feel very welcome.

Any hope we might have had of losing weight while in Africa has long ago disappeared.  We have been spoiled beyond belief - but tomorrow we will be back on the build site - and will have a chance to work off some of the calories.  The first group completed three rows of bricks on three of the walls - which took them to the top.

This group will try to complete the three rows on the remaining wall and then build up the gables at each end in preparation for the roof trusses.  We will also have another dozen or so trees to plant.  Surprisingly, the tree planting has proven to be the most difficult job - because the ground is baked clay that resists all efforts with a pick axe or sharp hoe.  Oh my kingdom for a jackhammer!

I will try to check in again after our day on the site tomorrow.

Jane Murray

Sunday 27 May 2012

Hello again

The second week group arrived safe and sound last night - tired but in great spirits and full of energy.

This morning they are still a bit jet lagged but ready to go.

We have had our orientation this morning and are now at the Arcades to exchange money and get some lunch.  Those of us who were at the orientation last week noted that the presenters were much more relaxed and at ease this week.  I do not think we realized how nervous they were last week.  It was the first time that PAF had hosted group like ours - and they were concerned about how we would react and whether they were well enough prepared.  They did a superb job and it is clear that they are more confident going into this week.

There is a wonderful outdoor market in progress here - with all sorts of Zambian crafts and clothing available  - and lots of opportunities for hard bartering - so we are planning to spend a good part of the afternoon here.  As I am typing I am being serenaded by Zambian drumming and singing - not your average mall experience.

Ben has brought some sort of gizmo that he promises will allow for posting of pictures......we shall see.

Tonight we are dining with another judge of the Supreme Court of Zambia - so there may not be time to get to the pictures until tomorrow after we get to Mazabuka.

I don't know if Phyllis mentioned that there is currently a new constitution being proposed for Zambia and a referendum is being held to vote on the new constitution.  Sounds familiar doesn't it?  The country is made up of 10 provinces - and so there are some similarities to the Canadian government structure.  We had a very interesting time meeting with one of the Supreme Court judges last week - and I am expecting an equally interesting discussion tonight.

I have been struck in all of our various meetings and discussions by the fact that the issues and problems being faced here are the same problems and issues as we face in Canada - it is only the magnitude and scale that is different.  And having said that - I am not sure that the aboriginal community in Canada would agree that there is such a difference in magnitude or scale.

There are certainly things that we can learn from Zambia - as much as there are things that Zambia can learm from us.  For example, I am wondering if the community school model may be something that might work well in our aboriginal communities - definitely food for thought.

That's it for now - hugs and love to all those following our exploits.

Jane Murray

Saturday 26 May 2012

Well it looks like Phyllis' careful instructions on how to do this might have worked.  I am a rookie blogger and I will have to add it to the list of 'firsts' for me on this trip.

We are back in Lusaka after the first week of building.  We said good bye to Greg and Nathalie last night - and the rest of the first week group will be dispersing in all directions today.

Bob, Claudia, Peter and I are looking forward to meeting week two group tonight.

Yesterday we spent the day in Nega Nega - seeing a school that was built by PAF several years ago.  It was wonderful to see the school in action and imagine a similar scene in Munenge in years to come.  The school at Nega Nega started out as community school and has recently been taken over by the government.  They now have 350 students between grades one and seven.  We were entertained by singing, drumming and poetry recitals by children of all ages.

We delivered a soccer ball and two sets of team jerseys to the children at Nega Nega and they were delighted to receive them.  We ate our lunch to the sounds of a very energetic soccer game with teams of at least 20 a side. 

There are so many images in my mind it is difficult to know how to convey what we are experiencing here.

We are hoping that the younger group coming in tonight will be able to help us get some pictures up on this blog - which truly will be worth a thousand words.

In the meantime, we are all healthy and enjoying every moment we are here.

Jane Murray