Action in Africa

Greatings and salutaions from the Zambezi Sun Hotel in Livingstone, Zambia.

We have left the Buseko Home in Ndola and are beginning the next leg of our trip.  Leaving Buseko was a very difficult time.  Not only was it hard saying goodbye to the great people I was privileged to work with and share this experience but also the kids and staff at the Buseko Home.  I would like to thank Ted, Brady, Sharla, Christine, Eric, Marlene, Shaun, Arnold, David, Denise, John and of course Andy for working so hard.  How do 12 people live in a house with 1 washroom and not kill each other???  I don’t know but somehow we did.  I don’t want to forget the 13th member of our team who looked after us and called our loved ones and let them know we were OK.  Thanks Mom #2 Alice Price.  Although you were not here physically you were with us every step of the way.  Without you non of this would have been possible. 

It was difficult to say goodbye to the kids but they took it in stride.  I thank them all for the comments and the letters.  Why are goodbyes always so hard?  I have to admit if I had to choose one of these kids to take home with me I would have to take them all.  They were amazing kids who I know will go on to be amazing adults.  Everyone had there own feelings about the good byes but I will never forget the little boy whos name I will not mention came up to me and pulled me asside before I boarded the bus and asked me “Uncle Duane are you going to come back?”  How do you answer a child this question?  It took me a few seconds but I did find the words to comfort him without making any promises.  Now that was one of the hardest things I had to do.

Now going back a day ….. Before we left we had a dedication for Wayne’s House.  It was a great ceremony which moved the crowd.  Both Ted and David uttered the words of a man who dedicated his life to helping others.  Thanks guys for a job well done.  The day would not have been complete without a BBQ and a game of soccer, where it was the Canadians vs the Zambian National Team.  We presented the workers at the jobn site with a soccerball and of course we had to play them as well.  Damn these guys were good.  I thought we were up for a Zambian a$$ whooping, but we managed to hang in there and lose by a final score of 5-4.  These guys could go all day.  I have to admit I as well as 5/6th of the team required oxygen and H2O after the first 2 minutes.  The player of the game was Brady who managed to (ready for this?);

i. take out and step on one of the Zambians (poor Zambian weighed about 120lbs soaking wet)

ii. Score a goal

iii. Whipe out on a spectacular kick

iv. Tear his shortsd right up the crotch

v. Take a very hard kick ball square in the family gewels

vi. All while wearing flip flops.

Now how do you spell trooper??? And yes yours truly scored a spectacular header goal.  Nothing like taking a rebound of the goal keepers face and heading it in to the open goal.  Perhaps my victory lap with my shirt over my head was a bit much considering the goal keeper was wincing in pain.  I sure hope his nose is ok. GOOOOOOOAAAALLLLLLLL!!!!!!

Peace

Action Out!