Jan 6, 2009

Life on the farm...



I also learned from observing and through the families teaching how they care for their homestead, which includes an extended family of parents, children and grandchildren. Harvesting, processing and storing their products such as harvested corn (which they ground in a hand mill) and hand-made charcoal, as well as caring for the goats, cows, pigs, dogs, chickens a cat and one very cranky and sleepless rooster who I appropriately named ‘Red Eye’.


The family re-thatching a roof



Farming under extreme weather conditions and with a very limited budget is a feat under any circumstance, but there is no social safety net to lean back on in Zambia and people have to find a way to sustain themselves on their own. The family we stayed with are by no means wealthy, but certainly showed us they were ingenious in their home-made designs for everyday uses: practical in their engineering, persistent in labor even within the constraints of ‘African time’ (as they taught us to accept and be patient with) and the inconveniences of rural life, frugal with their finances and wise with their resources all while possessing a healthy perspective on priorities towards work, family and the community. This balance is seldom found in our North American society.



Having a HFH home has obviously lifted the economic level of Mr. Wilson’s family, not to mention given them the pride of ownership. The benefits the Habitat for Humanity program brings are innumerable and this family was a prime example.

Observing this authentic farm lifestyle was also a great way to pass time on our breaks and before dinner, particularly in the ‘animal-watching’ department. There was an entire community-within-a-community amongst them and we were privy to some of their antics. We sharpened our biology and enjoyed quite a few laughs being entertained by the goats, pigs, chickens and other critters who never seemed to mind our oogling or 'oohs' and 'ahhs'.

Everyone knows how to conserve and utilize resources wisely...even this chicken who snuck a drink from the water used for mixing cement. I loved how all the animals were free to roam
and seemed so at home!


I never tire of photographing wildlife (domestic or wild) and after a few days they seemed more at ease with my lens trailing behind them...falling in love with them was eventually inevitable!


I think the Momba family in turn got a kick out of us being so mesmerized by simple antics of these creatures!








I learned that although time seems scarce in our culture and we never seem to have enough of it, it is actually our priorities that are upside down. Time was just as invaluable to our hosts, but they have learned to make the most of it, focusing on what was important.
















One of the ways we had the luxury of spending some of our time was watching the unbelievably gorgeous sunsets over the land behind the Momba's home. A perfect ending to each day.












Of course I also treasured the moments spent with the kids, learning from them as well, watching and taking part in grinding corn into various products or photographing the boys in their frequent football games and wild energy.















They loved being photographed while playing, and enjoyed viewing the playback of over 50 action shots! They were quite the little football players, even if they would get carried away with roughing each other up or laughing their heads off - boys are boys no matter where you go!


It was also a privilege getting to know our two main HFH Zambia Affiliate office volunteers,
Simon (pictured further below) and Christopher (pictured here), and staff from the
Affiliate office, Charity (pictured here with Christopher). The three of them provided invaluable support to us, acting as a link between the build, the team and the community, and helping us in various areas during the build as well.


















The unforgettable Mr. Simon 'No Problem' was somewhat of a foreman and knew all the ins and outs of the build process. He was aptly given this title as 'no problem' was his common response to any situation, and he did always seem to know how to work things out for the good.


I loved listening to him, and he was such a great teacher. In addition to being an informative and sometimes entertaining speaker, his familiarity with the people, customs and cultures of the village as well as his patience for teaching us and obvious enjoyment at showing us around gave us a deeper understanding and we grew to love this big-hearted man, rich in knowledge, experiences and kindness.
He will always hold a special place in our hearts.



Another work day over, Christopher or Simon would set out a candle for us either in the house or in the sand outside where we would sit around in a circle at night. I loved these moments admiring the starry sky and listening to the family's quiet voices speaking in their beautiful language. This picture symbolizes for me how these images will forever burn in my memory as though it were only yesterday.

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