Boxes from Canada have arrived

Greetings from Zambia,
First of all, a BIG thank you to all who have written notes of encouragement and love over the past 17 days since I've arrived in beautiful Africa. It is so wonderful to hear from home!

Good news is our 7th shipment of 220 boxes donated from Canada (sent in April) arrived at Isubilo last week so I was honored to be at this end assisting to unpack the generous amount of boxes and sort into the storage rooms (see photo). The clothing and school supplies are so greatly needed and I will be working with the volunteers to put together Christmas packages for each family over the next couple of months. It is very tough just to get together all the names, let alone the sizes of each client and volunteer in all programs.

My work with the Sobia team has been busy just basically learning the details about the Foundation and all it has to offer to the local children and families living in poverty so close to the farm. We spend Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays out at the 3 seperate centres in Kaloko, Makenzie and Musili. School was back from summer holiday last week so I hope to get in to assist teaching the kids at least 1 day per week.

I drive in to Isubilo on Saturdays to volunteer at Isubilo again as it's such fun to be with my friends/kids from my previous 2 visits. For those who know of my special kids, they are all getting so big and doing quite well on their ARV drugs to prolong their precious lives still living with HIV/AIDS (more photos to be posted soon).

As always the farm has lots of work to be done but we do make room for play -- the pool, Monday Movie nights, many laughs around the dinner table, and we can't forget Chenco's house parties. I even made it out dancing at a local nightclub last Friday with Matt and June. Being a farm girl is tough work so I'm off to bed much earlier than the past.

Look what flew into the dining room the other night (see photo)...

The dogs get a hold of many different types of animals around the farm such as rats, snakes, owls, and even a poor eagle. Needless to say, I feel very safe here as we took a walk up to the water towers to see the sunset tonight and coming back down were thought to be intruders -- I couldn't believe how scary these sweet l'l pets were when they were out as working guard dogs!! I always wanted a dog and now I have 10!

The weather is getting quite hot and it's not even October yet! I'm not complaining as working outdoors has made for a nice colour tan and tough african feet. Getting tougher for my Wed. & Friday volleyball nights. Dave has collected quite the number of banana workers (approx. 12) to join us for a game after work (when they knock off, as they say). Great workout since I've been away from v'ball since last April, horrayyy!

Hope all is well at home. Thinking of my teacher friends who are back to work and parents who are happy to see their kids back to school last week. Keep me posted on life at home please. Missing you all

Lots of love, Tracey xox