Mamma Africa

Ashlee was excited to talk about the tour she had recently been on with the US Embassy. They went to a refugee camp and say lots of refugees from all over Africa including the Congo and Zimbabwe have taken up residency there. She said the conditions we good relative to how Zambians live. They had mud huts similar to their village, but there were many different languages being spoken. All of the village services are provided by the foreign aid and the UN so it is actually pretty nice. There are many more bikes around than is typical for a Zambian village. There are now 15,000 refugees down from 63,000 10 years ago. Many children have now been born and raised in these camps. I asked why they can't just stay and establish their lives there as so many of their homes have been destroyed, but Ashlee explained that they cannot get Zambian citizenship as it is difficult to attain so they cannot move out of the camps which makes employment if difficult.
The primary role of the UN representatives is to travel around and visit the various villages, take photos and write reports. They also do things like showing the movie they did in Kasempa. Ashlee said that event went over fairly well. The movie they presented was about the national park and wildlife because they didn't think the people would speak English. Ashlee said there was a good response, but the people kept asking when they were going to show the Akon video, an American R&B artist who has become a favorite. My guess is because if his song Mamma Africa. Here is a link to the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2z8bH_pGm9Q
They are now in Chalimbana, a village 40K outside of Lusaka, awaiting the new arrivals for training. They are staying at a Farmers' Training College that they are using for their training sessions. I am not sure the duration of the training, but they are planning to return home before traveling back to Lusaka to meet up with the rest of us in a few weeks.
So far Andy has not able to get his tooth repaired but hoped to be able to on the return trip. Keep him in your prayers that he can get it fixed soon. Things happen on African time which can be frustrating, I am sure.

Only a second to talk

I could hear Ashlee's labored breath in the receiver. "Andy, don't forget your head light, we will have to walk back in the dark.....do you have your bag......" Mother hen clucking away at Andy.
"Didn't you get my text message? I can't talk today. The Embassy is here to show the movie and everything is a cluster right now."
They did run into a guy that had recently been with several NFL players visiting Zambia on their way to see some of the troops. Boomer Grigsby, Jared Allen, and one of the Cardinals that has dreads she wasn't sure who. Ashlee was excited to tell that much at least. Every reminder of home is exciting.
They found out that Andy can get a ride to Solwezi on Monday so he will take off then and Ashlee will be able to get a ride in 'a very nice' vehicle which they can take all the way to Lusaka so that was big to them. Transportation is on of the biggest obstacles for them so a decent ride is always a blessing. I am glad we are renting a car for our visit. Just a few short weeks now and the excitement builds...