Zambian Art, stunning sunsets and amazing host families :)

The team have been so busy since arriving onto African soil – which is why this is my first blog! Our general day consists of meeting, greeting, eating, seeing, speaking, sleeping and mosi! We have been overwhelmed by the welcome we have received from Rotary clubs and people in general whilst travelling around.. Heres just a few of my highlights so far..

I met 2 artists (Monty and Charles) in Lusaka that kindly showed me around their studios and the Henry Tayali Art Gallery. I was very impressed with the gallery artwork on display, which the Director Mulenga Chafilwa showed me around. I love the vibrancy and boldness in the work.

My lovely host in Lusaka called Tito (who is originally from Swaziland) told me about her uncle Velaphi Mzinba who is an artist and lives in Soweto. This is one of his works above, it is on a wooden frame, with a painted canvas and with an actual spade attached. I like his use of mixed media and his ability to create soft brush marks to depict the shadows on the face.

All the way along from Livingstone – Lusaka – Ndola – Mufulira – Kitwe we have had stunning sunsets to finish out hectic days on. The colours are so striking, I know where the artists get their inspirations from… (Photo taken at my lovely host families house Judy and Kephas in Ndola)

The photo above is of the GSE team with Mufulira host families and Mufulira rotary club members. We were all saying bye and a big thank you to them for all their hospitality.

Top from left: Bob Nation, Modestine Kaoma (Alice host), Charles Chiponda (PP of Mufulira club), Fredrick Kaoma(Alice host), Eborny Peteli, John Sakala

Bottom from left: Kate Turner, Adele Sutton, Kaoma Kaoma (Alice host son), Alice Jones, Sebobobo Cope.

We have been looked after so well by our families, always sad to leave but making great contacts for life!

Zambia so far....

Livingstone:

Livingstone was absolutely amazing. My highlights included visiting the Victoria Falls and getting absolutely SOAKED and then going on a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River; we saw a group of hippos (was is the collective noun for a group of hippos?) a large crocodile and a stunning sunset.
We stayed at a hotel the first night, which was nice and then Alice and I stayed with a ladt called Margarete the next night. On Monday morning we visited an orphanage (which we have already blogged about, so I won't go into too much detail), it was lovely to hang out with the kids - they all wanted to play with my hair!


Lusaka:
On Monday afternoon, we flew to Lusaka on a tiny 30-seater plane. It was an incredible experience (we felt everything!!). I was in charge of the emergency exit door, which was a great responsibility, but unfortunately (or fortunately) I didn't get chance to use it :(

The itinerary here has been really good (a little bit Africa time!!). I have been to visit several schools and we have given lots of presentations. Today, we visited a cultural visit, which was nice (but we were hassled a lot t buy things!). Tomorrow, we will catch a coach at 7am to Kitwe in the Copperbelt where we will stay until Tuesday. On Tuesday we will get a coach back to Lusaka to stay for one night (and celebrate the Jubilee) and then on Wednesday morning we will fly to Malawi.

Having an AMAZING time here, a lifetime experience. Ok, signing out now, will try and blog again soon.

Adele :) x

Hindu Prayer Meeting

Last night, I had my first taste of a traditional Hindu prayer meeting with my hosts. It was interesting to hear the worship and see all the traditions and everyone made me feel very welcome. Afterwards, we had traditional Indian food, which was awesome!!!

 Kate Turner and Sebastian Cope meeting with the Corporate Affairs Director for Lafarge Zambia, one of the largest employers and companies in Zambia. Discussions about the sustainability and environmental aspects of the cement producing company were debated as well as different methods and practices of energy sources and requirements with future developments. Lafarge have a huge involvement with enriching local communities, aiming to create a better life for those around the manufacturing plant.

 Alice Jones and Adele Sutton visiting the Libala High School Interact Club yesterday enjoying education into the land management and self sustainability within the school.

So, here it is Bob Nation - One Zambia, One Nation and now the daily Nation by the one and only Bob Nation!

Our last morning in Livingstone and we visited Lubasi orphanage with the President of Livingstone Rotary club, Kaela Patrick Mulenga. Lubasi Home resulted from the vision of a Livingstone rotarian, Mr Antony Ranjan, a Sri Lankan, who felt the need to do something for the orphans who are not being cared for, many living on the streets.

 The picture shows the girls with some of the orpans and a sunoven (not a spaceship) in the background. It is a clever device maximizing the suns heat and energy to heat food and water, it was presented to the orphanage by the rotary clubs of Livingstone, Zambia and many others. Thank you to the Rotary club of Livingstone and the members that hosted us.

 After a short flight, we were greeted at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport by presidents and co-ordinator from the Rotary clubs of Lusaka, Zambia. Above Bob Nation, our team leader offers a Mendip banner to the acting president of one of the Lusaka clubs - the Rotary club of Nkwazi. A full presentation from the GSE team to the club enjoyed by all I think!!

 Bob Nation receives a banner from the Rotary club of Lusaka, Zambia at a lunchtime meeting today. We performed a brief presentation for the club and enjoyed a fantastic lunch at the Southern Sun hotel.

The GSE team at the top of a little known waterfall in Zambia, Victoria Falls or as they say locally "Mosi-oa-Tunya" - The Cloud that Thunders. It was an incredible sight, so we enjoyed seeing, hearing and experiencing the power of the waterfall. We even enjoyed a team shower, now don't get any ideas!
Thanks to John and Arfann from Livingstone Rotary club for our visit to the falls.

First night in Livingstone, Zambia after 14 hours of travelling! Trains, buses, M25 traffic, 2 plane journeys, had Richard E Grant push in front of me at Johannesburg twice and a short car journey to arrive at the Fairmount Hotel in Livingstone. We received a fantastic welcome from members of the Rotary club of Livingstone with special thanks to Suzen and John for arranging it all. A few hours of relaxation and then we performed a presentation to members of the Rotary club of Livingstone.
Here we are pictured above exchanging club banners.