First, since we now had seven confirmed members on our team, it was time to look at our tourist week options. Eleanor had suggested to us, having led several teams, that it was a good idea to have some time together following the work to "debrief", as some of the things we would experience might be difficult for us, such as the poverty. Lifesong School for Orphans is targeted at orphaned children, including children who are "single orphans" (i.e. those who have had both parents die), and "double orphans", i.e. those who have not only lost both parents, but who've also experienced the loss of subsequent caregivers. Since HIV and AIDS are so rife throughout Africa, and Zambia has one of the highest rates of infection, this is not an uncommon situation.
Jeanette was tasked with planning the tourist week. Since Zambia shares the spectacular and famous Victoria Falls with Zimbabwe, she decided to include some time there, as well as some time in South Luangwa National Park, which has some of the best game viewing in the country. So, after some discussion and e-mails back and forth with the group members, it was decided that the group would fly down to Livingstone for three days, staying in a bed and breakfast on the Zambezi River, and decide there what activities they would like to do, such as visiting the Falls, a day trip to Chobe in Botswana for game viewing, boat trips on the Zambezi, etc. Then, the group would fly to Mfuwe, via Lusaka, to stay at a safari camp in South Luangwa National Park for three days. There, we would have the opportunity to do both driving and walking safaris from the camp. Most of the group will be staying in luxury safari tents (with en-suite bathrooms, electricity and real beds!) on the banks of the river, and are very excited to experience being "up close and personal" with game, albeit hopefully not too close and personal! Finally, it was decided that, after the safari camp, the group would spend a night at a local village that has opened its doors to tourists, and we will have the opportunity to participate in village life, such as food preparation, fishing, church services and visits to the local clinic.
December was also a busy month firming up fundraising plans and getting them under way. We were fortunate to be able to secure a Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra balcony fundraiser for Thursday, January 13. The idea is, the group sells tickets in the balcony seats for a TBSO concert for $15 each, and for every ticket, the group makes $5. Although we cannot advertise too widely as to compete with regular ticket sales, word-of-mouth is our primary method of promotion, and so far the group has sold a fair number of tickets, and Daphne and Moira have become our "power sellers"! At this concert, we will also have a booth set up in the lobby with information about the Zambia Workteam 2011, with pictures from last year's mission trip, and information about the 2011 project and our future fundraising events, specifically our Dinner & Fundraiser on Thursday, January 27 at the Travelodge Airlane Hotel.
This event was planned at the suggestion of Eleanor, who said that a dinner with a special guest speaker had proven very successful with past teams. We were fortunate to learn, through Daphne and Moira, that Dr. Janice Stein, a well-known television political commentator who is the Director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and a University of Toronto professor, would be in Thunder Bay for a conference in late January, and she graciously agreed to give an address at a dinner and fundraiser for us. So, on Thursday, January 27 we will be having this major fundraiser.
Adding to our group promotion is Doug's hard work at designing a team logo and having t-shirts printed up. We are happy to say that they are now ready, and that we will be able to wear them at the TBSO balcony fundraiser on Thu. Jan. 13 and the Dinner & Fundraiser on Thu. Jan. 27. It will be a good, visible way to show our team unity and promote our project.
Our team leader, The Rev. Nancy Ringham,has begun to make connections with the Anglican Church in Zambia through the Anglican Church of Canada Global Partners office. Having been in Rwanda a few years ago and meeting the Primate of Rwanda Archbishop Emmanuel Kolini at the very end of her trip there, she was asked by him, "What took you so long to get here? You could have been visiting Rwandan Anglicans." The Cathedral of the Northern Diocese of Zambia is in Kitwe, so making links now will ensure we have some personal contact while we are in Zambia.
It has been a busy couple of months, therefore, securing our flights and tourist week activities, planning fundraising events and preparing promotional materials. E-mails have been flying fast and furious between the members of the group as well plan all of these things; we are grateful we live in this age of technology which enables us to be so instantly connected to one another.
After the TBSO balcony fundraiser, we will be having our next planning meeting on Wednesday, January 19th at the Nu-Vision Office at 1171 Oliver Road, primarily to go over final details of our Dinner & Fundraiser the following week. If anyone would like more information on anything, please call our team leader, The Rev. Nancy Ringham, at 939-1103.
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