Sun-Sept 2

Good Morning!!!

It was an early start to the day, I was up at 6am to make sure I had a hot shower and to start my day off right.  I am not a happy person to be around if I don't have a hot shower in the am HA HA.  Breakfast was a quick one, and then we were off for church.  We went into Luanshya and went to one of the schools, and Elizabeths husband was the preacher there.  It was amzing to see all the people that came in to worship and the singing was amazing, they all had amazing voices!  I am not religious at all, but it was nice to see that they really have nothing like we do but what they do believe they have is god and the belief in him.

After church we all left the school room and we were greeted one by one by all the people that attended, it was overwhelming to see their graciousness.  Right from the beginning we were welcomed, I truly loved that part.

After church we rushed back to the Sisters, and had a quick lunch and then met one of the Zambian Nurses-Phildaelious(not sure of the spelling).  He was there to help us sort out the proper medications to give to all the diseases that we were most likely to see in the village.  He was telling us about Malaria, HIV, Worms, TB, and so on.  It was pretty overwhleming hearing about all the symptoms and what they have to do, and also some medications were not allowed to be used anymore because they have a huge resistance rate now.  He informed us of all the dosages and then how to bag up all the meds that were bought prior to our arrival.  So much information, but he was nice and listened to our questions, cause there were many of them!!!

We then had a small meeting about what to expect for our home visits the next day.  We were going to be walking around the village with the care workers, they are members of the community that have become a part of the team that walks around every day to check on others less fortunate.  There are about a 20 or so men and women that help within the community, they partnered with Hands at Work and they soon realized that the community can only be helped if they are willing to start helping themselves first and then having us come in to assist occasionally.  They range in ages and are just absolutely a crucial part of the team. 

I just can't wait to get out to the village and finally see it!

Well into the night we packed pills, filled cough syrup into smaller bottoms-smelled like Dettol-quite gross, and then preared the baby bags.  Man oh man it was like a never ending night, most of us exhausted still from the travels, but there was no time for sleep!!

We headed to bed around midnight...all of us ready to see the village!!!!