Our Final Day in Africa

It has taken me three weeks to document our incredible journey to Africa. Our final 24 hours in Africa, for me, were the most inspiring. I spent nearly 18 months preparing, planning, saving for, and anticipating our trip to Africa.

Like most of our fellow travelers, James and I enjoy ‘going local’. We tend to wander off the beaten track –travelling by bus or rail to areas that aren’t considered ‘tourist’ attractions.

We came upon our last lodge, The Islands of Siankaba, when our travel advisor, Julian suggested this area would meet my request to visit a village and contribute in a small way to the local community.

The directors of the lodge are truly committed to ‘giving back’ to their community. The staff at the lodge is all local villagers. They not only work at the lodge but they literally carried the logs that the lodge was built from. The Directors met with the local chief and an agreement was struck. Everyone involved would benefit from the opening of the lodge.

Profits from the lodge support a medical clinic and pre-school on the Island. I had requested in advance to take a walking tour of both these facilities. Given we arrived on the island on Friday, May 22, we missed seeing the school in session. Our host, Jean Claude, arranged for us to dine on Saturday evening with the headmaster of the pre-school - Malindi Lubinda.

Malindi was a barman at the lodge when the Directors took note of his intellect and ambition. They paid for Malindi to attend college. Upon completion of his studies, Malindi returned to the Island and established the pre-school. I was so inspired by Malindi’s passion for educating the children and setting an example of excellence for them. We shared a wonderful evening together: Ed and Marty, me and James, Malindi and Steven – our host for the evening meal. We laughed, shared stories and experiences and truly became friends over the course of the evening.

Malindi teaches 55 children (ages 3-7) in this classroom:



Here is the foundation for the new pre-school:



This is the village store:


This is the village church:




Here are some more images from our visit to the village:










Here is a photo of Malindi and I after a lovely evening of great conversation and fine dining:



Here, James and Victor - our village guide and host- pose outside the walls of the village:



James and I remain committed to the village and the pre-school. Malindi and I are in contact via email about twice a week - checking in on each other and sharing news about events in Zambia and Virginia. If you are interested in helping Malindi with the preschool - be it through book donations, children's clothing, etc. Please leave me a comment and I will give you the address for them.

Muffins With Mom

Just take a close look at the photo above... have you ever seen such a hilarious character study? Each of the children have such incredibly unique and lovable personality!

Today was Muffins with Mom Day at Josie's preschool. It was a fantastic event! All the Moms had name cards at their seats. I happily sat between 'Michael's Mom' and 'Megan's Mom'. The 3 & 4 year olds performed a number of songs about Moms and Love. Here is my Josie belting out a tune:



After the performance, the Moms had a chance to dance to two songs with the children. The students then served their Moms a delicious plate of strawberry shortcake. Josie even took my fork out of it's beautiful handmade daisy napkin ring and placed the napkin on my lap! And since no good deed goes unrewarded, the kids then stood in line again for their own serving of ice cream with chocolate syrup! Yummy!

Josie and her classmates made beautiful flower pots with cards attached - each signed in their own hand. Josie did such a great job writing her name - I'm sure I was the proudest Mom in the room! We finished off our lovely luncheon with each Mom being presented a beautiful red petunia plant and having a photo taken. I wish all my days were this fun-filled! I never tire of hugs, kisses, songs and dances....

Happy St.Patrick's Day!!

Here's a few photos of the Posse this morning - celebrating St. Patricks Day!!

Josie's tiara says "Irish Princess", and that she is! The other lovelies are Roma, Megan, Riley and Nicholas. I was actually a bit early for drop-off this morning, so I didn't get to see all the kids in their 'green'. I should have a few more to share once Sharon gets me her photos... Sharon was the 'Good Mom' today - she made it to the Leprechaun Hunt to take photos. Other slacker Moms (like me!) got to the school at regular pick-up time.

Halloween 08

We had a wonderful Halloween! We started out on Thursday,with a trip to the Pumpkin Patch with Josie's preschool class. We learned about bees and how honey is made; we learned about how pumpkins grow and we learned about all different kind of farm animals. Goats, Sheep, Pigs, Roosters and Cows.

I also learned to double check my camera before packing it - as I neglected to put the battery back in my camera after I charged it . Thus, no photos of the pumpkin patch. I don't think the kids would have stood still long enough for a photo, though. It was VERY COLD for our morning outing - when we arrived at 9:20 it was 48 degrees with a 15-20 MPH wind!! We dressed properly, but that wind cut through us.

Here's Josie just after carving her pumpkin:



And here is Josie's 'scary face':



On Friday Morning we celebrated the Fall Festival at Josie's Preschool. And it was a hoot! The kids were just adorable and there was so much to do! They had game booths, a parade and then a party. James and I had a ball with Josie. It was great to see how much the other parents used their creativity in the kids costumes and how much they really got into the whole Halloween spirit:

Here's Josie with part of her Preschool posse: Megan, Roma, Josie and Riley:



Here's Josie in her costume:



And here are a few of the other costumes we just loved:











Here are Josie and her friends enjoying the festivities:











We thought that the best costume by far was worn by Josie's teacher, Mrs. J. She looked just awesome as Madeline! And in a nod to the wonderful books, Sr. Mary Vincent posed as Mrs. Clavell for my photos. Just loved the spirit of these two wonderful ladies!!:






I will post a few more photos of our actual Halloween night. Very subdued this year, which was a surprise because it was a Friday night and it wasn't really too cold. Anyway, next post will have some of Maddie and Josie in costume...

Red (letter) Day

This week, Josie's preschool class is learning about the color red, the letter A and designing a 'family tree'. All the kids are supposed to wear something red today - and I found this most appropriate outfit at Gymboree over the weekend. (On Sale, too!)

Today is also my birthday, so James scheduled his meetings close to home. He's taking Josie to school today while I head off to the gym for a cycling class. Then, for dinner tonight, we will have two treats I have been denying myself for months... a Five Guys burger and some chocolate cake!!

Here's a few shots of my stylin' princess before she left for school this morning:









And here's another snazzy outfit she wore last week:




Many thanks to my dear friend, Sue, for the lovely personalized birthday card I received yesterday. (I love it!) and to my family who always remember - much better than I do!!

She's Off !!!

Today was Josie's first day of school. I'm proud to say we both handled it quite well. Neither of us cried and Josie settled right in. She looked just as sweet as can be, outfitted in a lovely dress and the backpack that Grandmom gave her.



She went right to work - or should I say, play - with a few of the girls from her class. Here, the ladies get acquainted over Playdoh:



In case you are wondering, I haven't gotten any photos of Maddie leaving for school because it's just too early in the morning! Maddie wakes up at 5AM and is out the door at 6:10AM. Her bus leaves the church parking lot at 6:30 sharp! She gets home at 3:40PM and goes right to work on homework and catching up on her emails. I barely see her !!! I do, however, still get my kiss goodbye and an "I love you" before she heads out.

I'm so proud of both my girls!