Sunday in Lusaka

Newlyweds

We had dinner at the home of Edward, Chama and baby. They describe themselves as living in a typically middle class Zambian home. Their electricity went out when we were there and the water to their house is turned on in two hour increments in order to increase water pressure.

yummy home cooking

Fiber optic lines going in

With web access as slow as it is in Zambia, global access to news, music and movies is not possible here. Local television shows include soap operas from Brazil and Mexico dubbed over in American style English. Edward and Chama had never heard of U2 and youth enter dance contests that mimic Michael Jackson (so old school). Maybe this will all change with the installation of the fiber optic cables.

I’m traveling with two co-trainers; Betsy and Linda. We’ve been conducting workshops and visiting schools. Tomorrow we’re taking a bus full of kids with disabilities to have them assessed and fitted for assistive devices.

CHIN member, Betsy & Linda

gathered to travel to assessments at the hospital

       





In one workshop the teachers were discussing how every November the children miss three weeks of class to collect caterpillars.  “What?” Caterpillars are a high protein delicacy which can be sold at market.

These twins loved the camera

speech therapist working with twins who are hearing &speech impaired

The two in the blue shirts are twins with hearing and speech impairments. We took them to an assessment with a speech therapist.

Zambian inclusive education trainer, new to MIUSA team

Our newest technical assistance team member, Paul Mumba, is an inclusive education expert with “fire in his belly” for inclusive education. He is a passionate presenter who engages with his warm humor and a twinkle in his eye 

I can eat independently

bus ride back from assessments. All tired

kids getting fitted for wheelchairs. Linda takes a ride

Sunday market, artist with his work

Lou's Technical Assistance trip to Zambia for MIUSA

Yvonne Zimba -MIUSA Alumni and Local Coordinator with Rosemary Mwewa from Cerebral Palsy Association of Zambia

Jetisha School Principal Mutena Richard with Mr. Mwale from the Zambian Institute for Special Education and  MIUSA trainer and special educator Paul Mumba

During International Education Week  MIUSA’s  Africa Project technical assistance team is working in Lusaka, Zambia to increase the capacity of the Children In Need Network (CHIN) to include children with disabilities

CHIN and the MIUSA technical assistance team in Zambia (Lou, Linda, Betsy and Paul) are providing tools to decrease the stigma of children with disabilities and emphasize that all children, including children with disabilities, are equal members of the community and stressing the value of education for all the children.