Another day of packing Van#1 and Van#2 for another Milk & Medicine run. This time there was a group waiting for us. They greeted us with a song of welcome and blessed us for coming all the way from the US to see them. Milk and medicine gives families the support they need to keep their children in the home. Each child was weighed and measured. A full report is made on the children who are sponsored by people in the US. It is amazing that the women are carrying home enough food to allow their families to eat three meals a day with a snack.
The program empowers women by supporting their efforts to become independent. The women are put into groups according to neighborhood and are asked what they thought they could afford to contribute to the group. They put their 2 kwacha apiece together and buy something in bulk, like charcoal, and sell them in their neighborhood. So they have made an investment and share the returns. This gives them ownership and starts them on their way to begin to support their families. As with all programs, some take off with it and do become independent, some just cannot do it. When it works, it keep families together and children where they belong, in a loving home.
While the parents received their food supplies, Team Zambia pulled out the backpack 'o fun! We are getting smarter, though and brought yarn to tie on to the balloons. Even though they were not helium, the wind took them fast and far - over walls and out of the church yard. You could spot the bright color of the balloons in and around the compound as we drove away.
Breaking News!
We just learned that one of the littlest babies here at the House of Moses is heading to a home full of love. Sarah has given a lot of special attention to this baby, just 27 days old. We have quietly watched the process over the last few days, as the mother has visited with our little Alice. The woman adopted Alice's sister in 2011 from BBB. With children in and out of the hospital while we have been here, it has been a true joy to see a child leave in the arms of a loving mom.
We sent the mom off with one of the blankets that Janet's mom made. What a great way to illustrate that it takes a village to raise a child-from the administrators, caretakers, staff and missionaries of the House of Moses to program directors, school teachers and staff in the schools and communities, to the volunteers and churches of the US and the people who supported them with their katumbas, knitting skills, cash and clothing donations, the combined effect is to make a difference in the life of a child.
(This post by my sister Linda was cross posted on the team blog at http://branchville-zambia2014.blogspot.com/)
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