Northern Zambia

Today was a day spent getting oriented to our new surroundings. The location we will be spending the next days is a mission community in northern Zambia that is focused on investing in the people of their area by providing training in education, farming, and community development. This morning we had a chance to tour their teacher training college where they provide a diploma program for primary educators. The classes at the college are very small with approximate sizes of 10 to 12 students per year. The college is now adding a third year to their program and looking at moving to a full degree program (4 years) within the next few years.

The second part of our day was spent touring the Carpentry workshop where a mission leader works with local village men to produce cabinets and furniture out of various forms of wood common in Zambia. The workmanship on the projects was very impressive and the joy and passion each of the men had for their jobs was extremely contagious.

This afternoon we were given a guided tour of the community farming operation. The operation is extremely organic and follows a few simple rules...do the work on time, do it to the correct standard, waste nothing, and do it with joy! The farming operation includes a fruit tree nursery, an orchard, a poultry program, a cattle operation, and a Corn (Maize) growing program. The soil in Africa is very rich and the wholistic (no chemicals, fertilizer, or equipment) nature of their farming practice is very productive. Throughout the tour we met various farm workers of which all had at least 10 years of experience with the mission organization.

Some interesting facts about this part of Zambia...

The rainy season begins in December and runs through March where they receive approximately 1.5 metres of rain. Once the rain stops in mid to late March this area will not receive another drop of rain until late November!
30% of people in this part of Africa contract Malaria each year!
The Malaria mosquito is only a threat in the evening and early mornings. During the heat of the day there are no mosquitoes in the area.

Tomorrow we will be attending the community school and spending the afternoon serving in a children's program in the community.