23 Aug Ndola Zambia from Chris FIVE

To the LEFT: Bumping and riding the gulleys of Ndola, going out to another site-visit of an HIV/AIDS resource location.
The roads to most of these locations are nothing but deep-rutted dirt roads that are so bumpy, you cannot drink from your water bottle without getting a refreshing shower!!







Below: Here I'm standing with a community leader, a HIV / AIDS home-based care volunteer (proudly showing her completion certificate in HBC from the Catholic Dioceses)... their community of 400 people, is a bit remote, has 10 HIV clients under the volunteer's care, and is filled with youth that know little about HIV... "please come, please come and work here!" they asked.

23 Aug FIVE... out doing the community HIV AIDS resource survey..

Well, having spent 4 solid days being jostled and jumbled in vehicles, taxis, public busses... and quite a few Kms of walking... the survey, mapping, meetings and assessment is 85% done.

There were 12 locations visited, and the people we met with were very generous and kind with their time and information. Most of the time, a Zambian member of the healthcare team came with me and participated in the meeting/assessments.

The best part is that the LORD led us to meet so many of the key ministries and players in Ndola related to HIV AIDS services, and we now have a numer of working relationships to get the SHIP HIV AIDS Ed and Prevent (HAEP) program off the ground.

The few remaining meetings for the coming week are with a couple of Health Ministry-level people. Pray for those.

The health care team and I have also begun to look at the materials and curriculum for the HAEP. There are a number of programs and curriculum out there. We don't want to re-invent the wheel, but do need to enhance some aspects... (yeah, I'm good a cherry-picking and creating hybrids). Fortunately, most of these programs are not copy-righted and freedom is given to adapt...

I have also begun the (tough!) business of writing a 3-year program plan, and a Grant proposal to get funding for the HAEP program here... (yes, that was where I was a couple of nights, rather than blogging...)

OK, last chapter for this week coming up.

Chris