"More, Please!"

Zumba was actually REALLY fun. I might not have done all the right dance moves, because there was a lot to learn. . . but on the parts I didn’t know I just made up my OWN super cool dance moves. Haha. Not. After Zumba we did a few minutes of Abs and I know I’m gonna be one sore old lady. Haha.

Anywho, today was a busy day. I am exhausted. Kayleee, Rach, Catherine, and I walked to the haven this morning. It is a good little 25 minute power walk to get you awake in the mornings and we always have fun and see something interesting on the way.. . . aka OX carts!

When we got to the Haven, Kaylee, Catherine, Marja, and I were assigned to Haven 2 for language enrichment. We started out our session outside on the merry-go-round and swings and incorporating language skills into their play.



Katie and Charlie on the swing

I paid special attention to Ethel today. She is the cutest thing ever and we have not gotten much talking out of her, mainly because she is still warming up to us and is kind of shy.
Ethel on the merry-go-round


In this pic we are working on signing/saying “more please"

After singing a bunch of songs and doing our lesson on jungle animals with the children at Haven 2, we quickly moved to Haven 1. We pulled them from their cribs, gave them bottles if needed, and did a language class with them as well. My heart goes out to these kids. They do not get much attention except when they are being changed or bathed. So, since they are in their cribs most of the day, they are not getting as many interactions as most babies would be getting, thus delaying their language skills. Also, another thing that is crazy to me is that they do not hold them while feeding them and are hardly EVER rocked to sleep. Because there are so many babies at the Havens and not enough aunties, the babies are used to laying on their backs with small pillows on their stomachs that are used to help prop their bottles up... to feed themselves. Also, because they are not getting out of their cribs and crawling around and moving as much, some of the babies muscles are not developed for even simple tasks like sitting up or pulling their head up during "tummy time". Without these gross motor skills, this also creates a problem with swallowing/feeding. That is why it is so important for us to be here! During the swallowing sessions, Caroline has stressed the importance of “tummy time”, which is having the babies lay on their tummies and allowing them to try to pull their heads up. Some of the babies just HATE this and cry and cry because it is such a HUGE task for them. But it is good for them and important to build their strength, which in turn helps with their swallowing/feeding. One other thing I have noticed is that they DO NOT burp babies here in Africa either. . . . this just blows my mind! I can only imagine the poor little tummy aches these precious babies have. But, they are used to it. However, I made the mistake of trying to burp one of the babies, out of habit, and let’s just say it didn’t go over too well. Hehe.

a few pics of the babies

Ross with his big smile. He is always wandering and getting into things! :)


Shawn aka "little usher"

Lee . . .excited about language therapy.


poor little Bennet has syphilis. During our language session with him, Marja and I decided to put socks on his hands so he cant scratch and spread it any more. He HATED this and cried and cried but we know it will be better for the little guy.

After lunch, we went back to the haven for a few more hours of work. (This time at Haven 3) We were so excited to see these babie’s eagerness to learn. They were REALLY responsive and clapped and sang along with us. They had more energy, produced more utterances, and paid way more attention than the toddlers at Haven 2, which was a shock to all of us because these are the more medically fragile babies. They were so thirsty for language enrichment and made us all feel so good about our session with them. We can’t wait to go back and work with them. Tomorrow we will have a longer session. We had to end it short because we were invited to tour the Mission’s radio station and it cut into our therapy time. We also missed working while we were in Livingstone so we are working all day tomorrow (Saturday)

When we arrived at the radio station, we were all greeted with a handshake and asked to come in. It is really simple compared to radio stations in America.



inside the radio station


They use old school tapes for their music and a regular ole computer. It was really neat and the building was actually made out of a container like you’d see on a semi-truck.

The radio station promotes Christian programs and they broadcast things from the mission throughout Zambia. Everyone on the mission has been so welcoming and glad to have us and made us feel like we are at home. I think we might get a debut on the station sometime soon!

After touring the radio station, Kaylee and I went running before dinner. This was quite a sight to see two girls running down these dirt roads I’m sure. Especially me! Hah. I plan on making this a normal thing and wanna exercise as much as possible while I am here and have a partner for it.

After dinner, we all decided it was Friday night, it should be declared “Movie Night”. so we all watched “Dirty Dancing” in the living room thanks to Dr. Tullos' projector. We all curled up on the couches and chairs and drank our sprite and cokes that Dr. Weaver went and bought us. So nice! (Just fyi, I have NEVER seen dirty dancing. I know. I know. It’s crazy! I’ve already heard it from everyone.) I really liked it. And it also gave us some ideas for new dance moves for Zumba, right girls? Hahaha. :)

The rest of the group has been eating lightly today... but have been back in action, which is good! We were worried yesterday when everyone was so sick. I think everyone is almost back to normal….but now Rachel isn’t feeling too hot so please pray she isn’t catching the after math of all of this! And that it doesn’t continue to spread!!