Monday, January 29, 2007

Local Active Youth

In the small village of Dete, we ran across a very inspirational group of young people. These local African youth are very concerned about the increasing spread of the HIV/AIDS virus. They are also interested in providing young people in the surrounding area with a place to congregate and participate in positive activities. In order to combat the lack of information on HIV/AIDS, these active youths have created a drama,music,dance troupe that is entirely focused on educating the local public on such topics as abstinence, safe sex, domestic violence, the increasing ophan population, and AIDS/HIV awareness. They do this through traditional music and dance, and through short theatre productions. At this time, they don't have a building to meet in , and are practicing outside. They hope to someday have a community youth/sports center and the funds to travel to surrounding communities with their presentation, so that their message can be spread. They are also dreaming big, and would also love to travel internationally with their traditional music and dance, and share their culture, traditions, and arts with the world, as well as educate the world on the challenges facing Zimbabwe. Jessica and I were so impressed with their enthusiasm and eager initiative that we held a seminar on grant writing and finding international funding. They were so eager to practice what we taught them, that they wrote a short project proposal the next day and asked us to come look at it and help them improve on it the following day!! Talk about self-motivated!! We hope to send them more information so that they can locate some international funding to get them started on their commendable quest to make a positive difference, not only in their community , but the world! They even tried to teach us some of their dances. Poor guys. They just wouldn't take our word for it, that white people really have no rhythm. They had to learn the hard way. But we sure had a lot of fun making complete fools of ourselves!  Posted by Picasa

Visiting Abandoned Children

In the city of Bulawayo, there is a beautiful house for abandoned children. Unfortunately, many people have children and cannot afford to care for them, or are too sick to care for them, or simply don't want them. These children are often left abandoned at hospitals after their mothers give birth, and once placed in an abandoned childrens ward at the hospital, unless somebody adopts the child, which doesn't often happen, they are destined to an institutional life until they are kicked out to live on their own at the age of 18. The house that we visited, was bought and set up to be a positive alternative to an institutional life for these abandoned children. Unfortunately, although there are nine abandoned children at the local Bulawayo hospital who have been waiting for several years to recieve government approval to move into this house, the legal process is extremely time consuming, and to date, only three abandoned children are living at this house. They hope to complete the paperwork, and receive government approval to house the remaining nine children soon, but who knows? Ros, Becky, Jessica, a friend of Ros' and I enjoyed playing with the three adorable children currently living at the house. Kanile and Moses are both beautiful , well-adjusted little boys, and have a great, caring staff that treat them like family. There is also an adorable four month old little girl, whose name I can't remember and even if I did, I wouldn't be able to pronounce, who is living there. Her mother died of AIDS. She was the surviving twin. Her sister died a month or two after birth, and it is still unknown whether she has HIV. Children cannot be tested for the virus before the age of 1 1/2. But she sure is cute!  Posted by Picasa

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

A final, memorable day!

Our last day in Zimbabwe (for Jess, and myself), was spent with Ros, Becky, and the wonderful Cunninghams, along with several of their visiting friends, at an ostrich farm/campgrounds that the Cunninghams own, out in the bush. It is a beautiful area, so spacious, and open! This was the first time I saw hills in Zimbabwe, and they created such a breathtaking view of the surrounding area. We did as much as could pack into one day: visited the ostriches, slid down a huge water slide, got a tour of the campgrounds where the Cunninghams hold a variety of church camps, and youth camps, went horseback riding, canoeing, did a rope course, jumped off a dam wall, hiked around, ate a delicious BBQ, and slept out underneath the stars!!!! Who could ask for a better way to spend our last night in Zimbabwe?!?!  Posted by Picasa

Horseback Riding!

Granted the horse was getting along in years, and feeling a bit under the weather, and we all took turns on him, but I still enjoyed my horseback ride, and the other horses were beautiful as well.  Posted by Picasa
The Cunninghams also have canoes and a small river on their property. So, we canoed along their river, and enjoyed the amazing day, and beautiful scenery.  Posted by Picasa

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

The Cunninghams are building a dam on their property that will create a scenic lake on their property. We decided we'd better test the water by jumping from the dam wall. The water was nice by the way. :) Oh the joys of driving!!!! OK. We didn't actually drive this particular jeep, but Jess had to take a picture with it, as it was so cute. In the evening, we hiked up Chapel Hill where the Cunninghams have built a beautiful chapel. The hill overlooks the entire area, and from it you get a great view of Zimbabwe's gorgeous sunsets! Posted by Picasa
We watched the sunset from the top of the Cunningham's Chapel Hill. It was incredibly picturesque! Waiting for the sunset, and relaxing on the chapel steps. The inside of the chapel was beautifully simple. Sometimes weddings are held in here or prayer meetings, and church services. Us posing at the chapel bell. Posted by Picasa
It was hard to say goodbye to Becky, but I am so glad that she was able to come. She, Jess and I had so much fun together! Istanbul at night. We had a chance to see a bit of Istanbul before heading back to Moldova. On the plane back to Moldova. I was expecting extreme temperatures and lots of snow on the ground. What a pleasant surprise to discover that it hasn't even snowed here yet, and the temperatures have been very moderate. I know that won't last for the whole winter, but it gives me a bit of time to readjust to the temperature differences between an African summer and a Moldovan winter. Posted by Picasa