Health Group crossing the Chinyingi Bridge
As I began contemplating what I should write about for my blog, I realized that many of you who are reading our blog might want to know what our day to day lives are like. I am part of the Health Group here in Zambezi, so I would like to share with you all what a Tuesday is like in our group.
People usually begin rolling out of bed around 6:30 am, when the roosters are crowing and the sun has almost fully risen. Most people head out for a run, followed by freezing cold showers. We’ve all learned (particularly the girls) that the only way to survive them is to turn the water off between latherings. Breakfast, which is prepared by two people in the group each morning, is served by 8. These are generally followed by a reading of the blog and comments. I would just like to mention here that we all truly appreciate all the comments we receive. They bring laughter, tears of both joy and sadness, and a true sense of deep love. Then we all head off to our individual destinations.
Today our group was joined by Aubrey, who’s usually working with computers but wanted to mix things up a bit. After some last minute editing of our HIV/AIDs lesson plan (our topic for the week), we were driven to a town called Chinyingi by Erik, recently dubbed “Uncle E”. This ride, which takes about 45 minutes, is always a bumpy ride and an adventure. Before reaching the town of Chinyingi, we must cross a very sketchy looking suspension bridge (see the picture) that looms over the Zambezi River, which, I might add, is full of crocodiles. We all hold on for dear life as the bridge bounces and swings back and forth while we cross.
After successfully crossing the river, we trudge through the sand to first the Chinyingi Basic School and then the Secondary School to give our lesson on HIV/AIDs to two 9th grade classes, a 10th grade class, and an 11th grade class. We enter the classrooms, small rooms with chipping paint, old chalkboards and desks, and concrete floors, to standing students of all ages, something we don’t see in American schools. The students do not sit until we awkwardly tell them that they can be seated. They listen intently as we give our talk on the ways you can and cannot get HIV/AIDs, ways to prevent it, myths about it, and reasons as to why it’s so incredibly important to get tested. Here in Zambia, 1 in 5 people are infected with HIV/AIDs, a daunting statistic. While here, we are trying to instill in the youth that knowledge is power, and that they hold the future of Zambia in their hands. Part of that is knowing your status, something many people are too afraid to do, even though it’s free to get tested at the hospitals here in Zambia. We stress that they and only they are in control of their bodies, and that knowing their status is imperative to keeping themselves, and potentially others, healthy. As the health group, we have seen the effects of HIV/AIDs first hand through our work with the Home Based Care in the area. Home Based Care is a volunteer-based organization that is comparable to Meals on Wheels back home; volunteers travel to people’s homes to bring them food, medication, and most importantly, comfort. Last week, we went on two home visits, both HIV positive patients. We were also privileged enough to be able to sit in on a few HIV/AIDs support groups here in the local area. So now that I have seen the heartbreaking effects of HIV/AIDs, I feel particularly invested in trying to empower these young adults to change that statistic of the amount of people living positively. We left the schools feeling accomplished, hopeful, and inspired.
After leaving the schools, we ate lunch on the steps of the Catholic church, a simple concrete building with beautiful stained glass windows and built, as with all the Catholic churches here, in the shape of a cross. We then walked over to the Chinyingi Home Based Care building, where we gave another lesson to the caregivers, some who had walked three hours just to hear us talk. This is something that has been particularly inspiring to me. People are so eager to learn and know more about health that they will travel hours to talk to us for just one hour. It is both humbling and inspiring.
Upon our arrival back at the convent, which in two short weeks has become just as much home as the dorms were, we dive into a feast prepared by the beautiful and amazing Mama Kawatu who, today, was assisted by Brittany. These dinners have truly become family dinners, with Lisa, Uncle E, and all the Armstrongs included in that family. After dinner and all the dishes are done, we settle in the living room area for reflection. Tonight we were honored by a special guest, Francis, who is a social worker, and actually helped the Armstrongs find their new pride and joy, Peggy Grace. He told us his story and encouraged us to live with integrity and passion. Once finishing reflection and assigning new chores for the next day (it really is a family, we all have to pitch in) we have the rest of the night to ourselves. We have down time to bond, work on our projects, or in Blake’s case, frantically finish The Hunger Games so he can read the second book before Eli Armstrong, who, I might add, is only ten. Another full Zambian day has come to a close, and we all climb into our mosquito net forts, waiting for the roosters to wake us up again, ready for a new day and new adventures.
Hope this helped you all get an idea in your head about what we do here!
All my love,
Kellie Healy
Class of ‘14
PS. Mom, Dad, and fam…. Miss you guys and love you so much! I’m thinking of you all constantly.
PPS. I’m sure they’ve already left, but I want to send good thoughts and wishes to the second group as they embark on their amazing journey to Zambia today. We can’t wait to see you guys as we trade planes!
PPPS. “Don’t you wanna stay here a little while, don’t you wanna hold each other tight, don’t you want to fall asleep with me tonight” Haha 🙂
Kellie,
I can’t believe I just saw your blog come across the srcreem as I finished my comment on the last blog! thank you for sharing “a day in the life” in Zambia. It filled in some blanks for me. Being a nurse, I appreciated your description of teaching health care to those who truely want to take better care of themselves with the help of a little truthful knowledge.
Tell Blake, the second book of the Hunger Games was great! Hope he’s enjoying it. WE’ll have to see the movie when he gets home:)
Kellianne,
Thanks for the half of a heart attack – makes my heart race to think of you crossing the river full of crocodiles on that spindly swaying bridge!!! All kidding aside, I loved your post. I had been wondering what you have been doing and this really helped me to picture your day. Have you attended a birth yet? Gone to the market to buy a chicken?
We have been following the blogs daily (as Matt Hayes said, waiting for yours and Katie’s). It sounds like you are all having a life altering experience – which is what you have been talking about for the last 1 1/2 years since you brought up the subject of Zambia. We are so proud of you and your friends for following thru on this mission. We can’t wait to see you and hear about your experiences in person. We look forward to seeing pictures with the blogs – it helps complete the story!
Enjoy the next two weeks and I will pick you up on the 12th!!!
Love, Mom
P.S. Jackie’s new ice cream maker makes wonderful pb ice cream – I will save you some. (maybe!!!) Dad and Michael leave for DC tomorrow!
I loved reading this blog!
As I go about my work day as a public health nurse in San Diego, I daydream about what your day looks like in Zambezi. Jonathan knows that I am living vicariously through you all. Thank you for such a beautiful entry!! Jonathan, good to see you in the photo!
Michele Droessler
Dear Kellie,
Great post. I loved hearing about your day, when you get up, what you do during the day and what you all do in the evening. Thanks for that great picture of the bridge. Looks scary. I’d be praying the whole time while crossing. Sounds like the work your group has done has been greatly needed by the young people of Zambia. God bless you all and the Zambians. I pray that their new found knowledge will make a difference.
Kellie I loved that picture of you with Katie sleeping. I had a feeling that your post would be next. Thanks so much. Good idea for filling us in on your day. I would love to hear about Katie’s technology group too. I am anxious to see your pictures and hear your stories too. Enjoy your time.
Marlene (Katie’s mom)
Kellie,
I forgot to say that I miss you so much! My phone is so quiet – no texts from you!! I love you very much and am so glad you are following your dream. Cute skirt! I love the colors!
Love you,
Mom
I enjoyed hearing about the typical day for the Health Group so thank you for this post. It has been very good to hear from each of you and be able to get even a little glimpse of what you are experiencing. I hold all of you in my daily prayers especially now for your safe travel on sketchy looking suspension bridges 😉
P.S. Erin know that you are loved and missed!
Kellianne,
It warms my heart knowing that you are doing great things on the other side of the world. You should know that I spent a hefty chunk of my morning sitting in my kitchen in the exotic city of Woodinville wondering what you were doing at that very moment in Zambia. Over my bowl of oatmeal, I pictured you atop a giraffe, spear in hand, hunting lions across the desert. But educating African children about HIV/AIDS is even cooler and probably going to save more lives than hunting lions. Also, I liked your description of that bridge. The adjective “sketchy” made me think of our many treacherous adventures in the Logan Neighborhood which I’m sure prepared you well for this obstacle in Zambia.
On a serious note, I am both proud and envious that you are having this life-changing experience. As if you weren’t already a strong, well-rounded lady before you left, you will come back to the States with new perspectives and an understanding of people that I can only hope to absorb in your recount of Zambia. In the meantime, just know that I, along with Ishmar, miss you and cannot wait to have a lengthy Skype date once you return.
Sincerely with a sprinkle of love,
A. Dick
PS- ….kullie… (picture my face)
Kellie,
Thanks for your great post! I’m sure I speak for many of us when I say that it is great to hear about your day and the little things about your routine. I think it makes us all feel a little closer to you guys. I hope you all stay open to your experiences and take time to reflect on what they mean in your lives. Know that we continue to pray for you all and for the safe travels of Group 2! Hope you all have fun meeting on the Tarmac!
P.S. Erin – your sister is in the air! Love to you both!
Oh Kellie what a great post! I gobbled it up desperate for your details having just taken Kate to the airport tonight! 🙂 She is in the air headed to London as I write. 🙂 Eek! So exciting and so amazing…I have been praying for you all. You and Katie give each other a hug for me and blow a kiss to Kate when you see her on the tarmac! Blessings in your days remaining…and safe journey home! xoxo Kate’s mom, Mary
Last night we dropped off Paige at the airport and I must say, I was more than a little nervous. Even though she’s been to Africa before, this trip is, well, bigger. But after reading your blog, Kellie, as well as others before it, I can only be excited for Paige, and grateful that she has this opportunity to work in such a unique and wonderful place. Thank you all for the work that you do, and the wonderful legacy that you’re leaving the next group. They’ll be thrilled to walk in your steps.
Safe travels!
Kelllll!!!! It was awesome to read what a typical day is like for you in the health group! You really are making such a difference in people’s lives by empowering them with knowledge, which is inspiring. Keep up the amazing work! (Do not fall into the crocodile infested water please! Although when I think of crocodiles in the water I can’t help but picture Captain Hook’s notorious follower going tic tock-tic tock tic tock hahaha) Miss you chica!!
P.S.- The part about Blake and The Hunger Games cracked me up 🙂 Finish it man!
P.P.S- Could anyone else literally hear April speaking when you read her post?? So funny!
Hiks, “You’ve got that one thing” 😉 Love you!!!!!
All my love to the group! Always praying and thinking of you all!
Thanks for writing this, Kellie, I think everyone loves being able to picture your day with a few more details… and I can totally appreciate the difficulty of taking a really cold shower! But truly, you are all doing such amazing work and leaving the best you have with Zambia, and I hope every day leaves your heart full!
Kellie ~
Thank you for painting the picture for us! I will never complain about crossing the bridge to the other side town again 🙂 My vision today is that of all you be connected for life and continuing on the path to healing, nurturing and growth. Natalie, nice to see your smiling face!
Love,
Kim
Thanks for the update! It’s actually really helpful knowing what a normal day for you guys looks like; definitely helps me to paint a better picture in my head of what you are doing every day. That bridge looks…. soooo intense but I’m glad to hear that all of you are still safe and still learning lots and loving your time there. It’s great that the group as a whole is able to share this experience together- I’m sure you’ll walk out of with such a strong bond and connection with one another!
Hi Hikaru. 🙂 A quick update on tres amigos: I started my first day at my internship today and Ally left for Shanghai yesterday afternoon! We are all officially on completely different continents. How weird.. By the way.. when are you writing a blog?! I want to hear your words 🙁 Miss you and love you! Thinking of you daily from thousands of miles away!
Kellie! It is truly wonderful to hear about your daily experiences in Zambezi! Your description was so helpful because I truly felt like I could picture the thing you were describing. From all the posts the food sounds amazing and I am glad that it is like one huge family and you have such a solid support system while there. Keep staying healthy and safe! And enjoy the last week of your trip!
So much love,
Sarah
Pretty! This was a really wonderful article. Many thanks for
providing this information.