Maternal and Newborn Care - Solwezi

On May 17th we drove 10 hours to Solwezi with our truck packed full of equipment for the Maternal and Newborn Care training for Midwives.  A group from Utah came to conduct the training and we just helped some.  It was a great trip and the training will result in saved mothers and babies here.  

A beautiful tree on our drive

We went through the Copperbelt where copper is mined and processed

On Sunday we were able to have Sacrament Meeting with some local members that live there in Solwezi (no branch).  They would like to form a Group there so they can meet each Sunday together and partake of the Sacrament. Two of the men were members but the rest were not yet members of the Church, excluding the folks from Utah.

On Monday, Grandma registering participants for the MNC training. 

Grandpa entering registration information into the computer.  

The Midwife organization started with this song about "There's no one like Jesus" 

then had an opening prayer.  It is so nice to see them freely sing, talk about, 

and pray openly about Christ and God.  

Sister Smith teaching a group about issues with the birthing process

Practicing with the Mama Natalie and Baby Natalie.  They had to perform many steps within the first 60 seconds after birth if the baby was not breathing.  Dr. Stanley watching. 

Four leaders from the Midwife Association and 3 of the US team did the training for everyone.   Grandpa even learned a lot about birthing and babies.  Now I can deliver a baby in a car if needed (Hope that never happens!)

They are teaching how to help babies breathe.  Too many babies die because they aren't breathing and some midwifes sometimes don't know what to do or how to use the breathing aid equipment correctly.  

For the closing ceremony, they made up a song that had 3 parts.  First "What a Joy to Be a Mother",  "What a Joy to Have a Baby", then "What a Joy to Save a Life".  

Dr. Groberg with the Doctor representing the District of Health and
 Ruth, head of the MAZ organization at the closing ceremony.
The banner is the Midwives Association's goal. 

Closing Ceremony receiving certificates of completion

The team from Utah and the Midwives.  These midwives are from all over the Province. They will each train at least 10 more Midwifes in their areas.  The Church gives them all the training supplies including the Mama and Baby Natalies.

Another song they started the day off with about keeping the Golden Rule

On the last two days, students from the local nursing college came and were trained by those who had been trained at the first of the week.  It really cements their knowledge and training skills. 

This sweet lady was preparing dinner just outside the training room.
It was held at a Lodge.

Just waiting their turn...  If they only knew!!!

We also were able to visit their hospital.  This boy was in a room with about 6 other little children (he looked the worst of all).  When I took his picture, then the mothers of all the other children wanted me to take their pictures too, even if their little one was sleeping.  The Hospitals in Zambia do not provide any food for the patient so a member of the family usually sleeps and cooks outside for them.   But the team from Utah said the hospital had a lot of the same equipment, just not as nice and modern perhaps.  

Handover Ceremonies

This has been a very eventful two weeks with handover ceremonies on two projects and Maternal and Newborn Care training in Solwezi. We will have to report on the Solwezi trip later.
Lots of great pictures and videos.  What a privilege it is to see the fruits of the Lord's love for these people here in Africa!  

The Handover ceremony of the Harper Clinic.
 Very low key because the dignitaries couldn't come so they will have a bigger celebration later with them. 
 The clinic was built by a U.S. based group "I Am Zambia" and the church donated the medical equipment and furnishings.  

Village women waiting for the program to start and trying to teach Grandpa some new words

We held the handover ceremony for the Lupani School.  What an awesome celebration!  This has been one of our favorite projects because the school teachers and students take great pride in their school.  It is always well kept and clean.  They have also been very grateful for the help.  The children now do not have sit in crowded classrooms on the floor.  

Waiting for the celebration to begin.
 The new 3 classroom block is shown in the background with the newly painted other buildings.

The Head Men of the Villages that attend the Lupani School

 They started with their national anthem then prayer.  The school choir sang several songs, most of them Christian based.  First was a welcoming song.     

The school choir always came in doing some entrance dance and song before they sang the main song.  Then they would leave the same way.  If you listen closely, you will notice they are singing a song about turning to Jesus as they turn around.  

A group also performed a few cultural dances.   They really get into some of these.  

Several dignitaries gave speeches

This girl carried the keys to us then we handed them over to the School officials. 

School officials and other dignitaries ready to handover the keys.  

This young boy, Brighton, with cerebral palsy would always meet us at the school.  He became our friend and he wanted to sing at the ceremony.  It was pretty cool.  He is quite the character.   

Several more songs and speeches then the choir singing a "We shall never forget you" song. 

 Can they sing or what???

Chisakila and Kaminembe

Happy Mother's Day to all Mothers.  We love our Mothers who influence and love us so much.  

This week our highlights were borehole siting and drilling at a school and clinic.  

At Kaminebe School, our first drilled borehole was dry down to 100 meters. No Water!

While everyone was watching the borehole drilling, we brought bananas and watermelon to share with the community.
 They are always so kind to feed us. 

Watermelons were a hit.

This little guy was enjoying a banana. 

Again they insisted on feeding us Nshima. Excellent!  Grandma with the water engineer and the contractor.  

Second attempt was a success.  Water at 70 meters.  

Yahoo, Water!

The form for the apron and drainage.  

Finished Product after cementing.  

Checking on the Mazyopa Project, we spotted these kids flying a kite made out of a black plastic bag.  Below, some kids there playing a dodgeball type of game.  

On our drive to Chisakila Health Post, we spotted a dozen big monkeys hanging out on the road.
They ran for cover as we got near.  

At Chisakila, discussing the borehole project there.  They have a hand-pump borehole that is contaminated from nearby latrines.  The church will be putting in a new borehole, solar panels and pump, water tank, and distribution lines into the clinic and staff house.  

Kids in front of a Baobab tree at Chisakila.  Their school is in the background.  The school head teacher said some kids walk up to 8 kms to come to school and haven't eaten anything.  They want to give them a meal so they have devised a good plan.  They have found a buyer for Yams if they can grow them in a school garden and they can use the proceeds and the Yams to feed the children.  But they need water.  We decided if the borehole for the clinic is sufficient, we will put a tap at the school and a pipe to their garden.  Sounds like a very worthwhile sustainable project.  

Load of supplies headed for Kaminembe school to finish 3 classroom block.

Ended the week with a wonderful Baptism of Edwin and Elizabeth. 
Their mother (on right) was baptized several weeks ago.

Copperbelt

It has been a great two weeks.  Lots of activities and our trip to Copperbelt Province.  

At Kaminembe School doing the borehole siting.  

At Kaminembe School after class was out, the students carried water and bricks
 for the workers who are building the classrooms.  

The workers bricklaying for the 3 classroom building.
 Notice the scaffolding; pretty clever.  They are hard workers.  

While waiting for the borehole siting work to be done, Grandma is having a bite of roasted Maize.  

At Kaminembe school both times they have fed us.  Nshima with chicken and greens.  It is always very good.
 It is such a sacrifice for them we feel bad but they say it is their way of saying Thank You! 

 Last weekend we went to the Copperbelt Province with Pres. and Sister Kupu.  They were reorganizing the district and a branch there and we did some other business.

There are 2 Districts in the Copperbelt. 
We visited Ndola and Kitwe districts.  These are nice towns up North. 

Grandpa doing some training in Ndola on the Church's Boundary Proposals software.  

We went to two Branches in Kitwe on Sunday. 
These were some of the primary children at one Branch.

The new District President's family.  They live about 1.5 hours out of Kitwe and it takes them several buses to get to church each Sunday.  It is a great monetary and time sacrifice for them but they are so dedicated. They are a great example for us.  The younger boy in the sweater is quite a character.

While in Kitwe, we celebrated our 40th Wedding Anniversary.
 How many people get to take a trip to Africa for their anniversary?

We were able to spend 30 minutes at the Copperbelt Museum.
 Some good information about the geology and mining in that area.  

At the Museum this shows typical village life that we see a lot.  

Visited Nchute School where they were putting up a tower for their water tank.  It was a bit scary because the tank stand was very high and heavy.  We were worried it might tip over as they were erecting it.  But they raised it a little then dug, then repeated so it all worked out fine.  

And it's standing.  

Visited the Chainda Health Clinic.  The roof is on and they are plastering the inside.  Hooray!

While the children are out on break, at Sosco school they repaired the ceiling because the old one was collapsing.  

Sosco school finished ceiling in one of the rooms. 

Grandma liked this Coat of Arms poster.  The country motto is "One Zambia, One Nation".
 It keeps them unified because there are so many different tribes and languages.  

Progress at Mulenje Teachers house.  Plastering the outside.