Isubilo Trip to GOMES - January 4th

One of my favourite things over the Christmas holiday was visiting Gomes Park with the Isubilo kids. The last time that I visited was in November, 2003 and I must say that day I captured some of my best photos of zambian children posted on my walls at home in Toronto.

2 large buses landed at the park at about 10:00a.m. and many of the children went directly to the water to swim in the mucky river waters. It is amazing to watch these children stand up, bend over and just put their head face down in the water to show you that they can hold their breath. The water isn't very deep so no diving or dumping off the river bank. Most Zambians don't swim as there are not many rivers/lakes/ponds around, but also due to crocodile habitat.

The park provides little rowing boats, bouncy castles, slippery slides and a place to setup picnic. They even had donkeys this time, roaming around which amused the children especially when they let out their 'call', ohhhh I wish you could be here to see their intrigued faces!

You can see from these photos what a great day was had by all!!!

This was a year-end gift to celebrate Christmas and the coming year. Hope gift packs were handed out at the end of the day and although I wasn't on the busride home, I don't doubt much singing and maybe even some sleeping occurred on the trip back to Chifubu...