Lusaka, Zambia

January 14, 2008 - Lusaka, Zambia

Just a few moments of internet time to post, but as Drew had noted earlier, our albeit too brief meeting with Joe, and his wife Joyce, in Nairobi, was remarkable and inspiring. Joe, our Project Director for our project in Kisumu, Kenya (KIACOB), is hard-working, diligent, and courageous beyond description. KIACOB is now helping more than 200 children in the slums of Kaloleni, and Joe has developed the project into 5 different and distinct programs which provides psychosocial support and counselling to HIV/AIDS orphans, vulnerable children, and guardians within Kaloleni, and runs a children's club for HIV+ children, a food feeding program, several football teams for young boys and girls, among a number of other programs, services and supports that seeks to help the children of the slums of Kaloleni. Joe's intense and committed hard work, and unprecedented progress with such limited resources provides comfort, support and hope for so many. PCF's confidence in and support for Joe's work remains stronger and more determined and committed than ever. I shall once again briefly meet with Joe on my way back home through Nairobi.

Drew (and I) continue to be overwhelmed with joy and respect and affection for Angela, and her work in Lusaka through Kondwa and the community of N'gombe. We attended Sunday morning mass yesterday, and today we spentthe entire day at Kondwa with the children. The scope and development and progress of Kondwa just in the past 18 month since my last visit here in July, 2006, has left Drew and I speechless and in awe. Now, Drew truly and fully understands and appreciates my commitment, confidence and affection for Joe and Angela, and their respective projects.

Things here continue to be full of life and crisis and suffering - the political turmoil and violence in Kenya, the floods in Mozambique, the slums everywhere ...

Drew is very much amused by the torrential rain and flooding here in Zambia, and he has fallen in love with the Zambian flora and air ... and the children of Kondwa has filled his heart with love and affection, and his mind with hope and committment ...

Must run for now ... taking lots of photos ... life is tough, and sometimes awful over here, but we are happy and feel privileged to be here to work and help and give our much-needed support - G.