TROOP 6002 IN ZAMBIA

6/8/10

CHIKUMBUSO

Last time Nolwenn told you that we went to Chikumbuso to drop the plastic bags you collected.

Few weeks ago when we dropped the plastic bags

Today we went back to pick up the bottle holders the women made for you. You'll receive them soon.

Nolwenn with the water bottle holders

The plastic bags you collected are already transformed into nice bags. I wish you could come and visit this nice project.

You can have an idea of it by visiting the facebook page

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chikumbuso-Women-and-Orphans-Project/259440355084

or the web site http://www.chikumbuso.com/

In September some girls are going to join us, we'll start a troop here (but Nolwenn will stay in troop 6002, she just can't quit !).

The summer is coming in the US, here it's Winter. The temperature is cold for us (in the 50's the morning) since we are not used anymore. We have to wear Jacket in the morning and in the evening.

We are going to France at the end of the month, we can't wait to be on vacation. We do not have any internet access in our house in Belle Ile (it's an island in Brittany) so we won't write a lot during the summer, but we'll try to keep in touch.

5/24/10

Back on line !

Author : Nolwenn

It has been a long time since we haven't written to you ! First, in March Mom has been away, then we have been very busy and then we got sick, and then busy again, sick again and so on, so on ...

Do you want to know what we did since March ???? We went camping, we went horse ridding, we went to Kariba lake and Livingstone.

Kariba Lake is the biggest ariticial lake in Africa. It's nice and quiet. We went to the dam. It's impressive. Three doors were open and the water was rushing out of the dam in the valley !

The Ba Tonga, the people of the people of the Zambezi Valley have always felt protected by an ancestral spririt, NYAMINYAMI the river god. He has the head of a fish and the body of a snake. He safeguards all those who dwell ad visit is ancient valley and in time of famine he's said to have profided food.

On our way back to Lusaka we had an accident. More exactly our friends (from Virginia) just in front our car had the accident. And Malo was in the car with them. We saw them losing control of the car. It went into the ditch and rolled twice. It was very scary because we watched them and we couldn't do anything. Everybody was crying (in both cars) the windows broke, the roof got smooched but nobody got to much hurt. Their belt saved their life. I alreday told you Always buckle up !!!! Malo got bruises (because of the seat belt holding him back) but he is fine. One of our friend (11 years old) got stitches on the head (150) and his brother got some on his legs. My mom's friend got glass in her T-shirt and hair. We all went to the hospital in our car (we were 12 !) The one who got stitches on his face had to be evacuated to South Africa because after 2 days he got an infection. Guess what ? The doctors forgot some pieces of glasse in the wound !

After that accident we were afraid to drive outside Lusaka. But we decided to go to Livingstone to see the Victoria's Fall. It is amazing ! The water rushes down so fast that it bounces off the surface of the water wich makes it comes up (very up) as mist. Actually, it's more like a heavy rain that a mist. We were wet from head to toes.

We forgot to thank you for the plastic bags you collected. We went to "Chikumbuso", the place were the widows make the nice tote bags. We ordered some water bottle holders for you. You'll receive them this summer. Hope you like them.

See you soon. We'll tellyou about our camping badge and horse riding badge next time !

2/16/10

Carnival

Today was Mardi Gras.

We had party at school with dance and crèpes. Since it was a crèpre-party we decided to dress up like people in Britany (the speciality of Britany is the crèpe) and we danced. We had a Fest Noz, the first one in Zambia.

A Fest Noz is a party at night where people dance. They form very long lines or circle, listen to celtic music and dance together.

Look at the boys :

Malo had a good idea to look like a real pirate !

2/14/10

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY !

The weather is so hot here that we were surprised that it's already Valentine's day. In Zambia, people also celebrate this special day. Nolwen wrote some cards for all the girls in the troop. We hope they will arrive one day or another ...

As part of the "Art in 3D", Nolwenn did a farm full of animals (with salted dough). Unfortunately I do not have anymore battery in my camera. You'll see the picture next time !

Have a good week.
Helene

2/2/10

BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS !

Author Nolwenn

Hello everybody, can you imagine we had no internet at all for one week. Nobody in Zambia had internet !!! But here we are, back on line.

We started a new project, few weeks ago, we called it "Kids reading for kids". Every tuesday (or wednesday) we go to a small school and we read books to the kids. (thank you Mrs Cannon for the books).

At first I was afraid to read in front of the kids, but now I'm fine. I read different easy stories and sometimes the teacher translate in "Nyanja", the langage spoken here.

Next week, I'm going to complete the " Art in 3D" badge, I'll show you my work !

1/11/10

Community Service

Hello and HAPPY NEW YEAR !

Before the winter break we went to a home for disabled and old people to bring them lunch.

We were a little impressed because of the number or people there (around 60).

Malo was really happy to help.

He was not afraid at all and sang some songs, ALONE in front of EVERYBODY. He sang Rudolph the Rednose Reindeer and Frosty.

Wednesday we are going to the orphanage to read stories to the Children and to bring them books (Thank You Mrs Cannon !). We'll take pictures and post them on the blog soon.

See you, have a good week.