Gonzaga University Psychology Program in Africa

Greetings — I believe our students are now on their way home — in fact, just about to touch down in London. They will overnight at Lord’s Hotel (see itinerary for contact information). As I remember from last summer, many students did not check in until quite late (around 10 pm). Tomorrow most students will return to the states (see itinerary for flight information). You can follow their progress on Flightstats, which allows you to receive emails and text messages about when flights have departed and arrived. I’m sure you can’t wait to welcome your student home and to hear about all of their adventures! My Best – Molly

Well we made it to Livingston-Victoria Falls. We were advised to break it into a two day trip because the last bit of road (50 miles!) was in horrible shape. The reports were correct. Our driver Mr. Mafunda (the GU driver last year to VF) is amazing, but I felt sorry how hard he had to work to get through some very tough sections. I know I am glad I didnâ•˙t have to drive.

Victoria Falls and Jolly Boys have once again been very fun. I think the students have done just about everything possible, except prohibited bunge jump and white water rafting. We all went on the sunset cruise followed by drumming; very fun. Everyone of course also went to the Falls park. I went running the first day with a few students, we almost made it all the way to the falls. We did run into some baboons along the way. The trek down into the boiling pot was more adventuresome because there was quite a bit of water. The students all enjoyed the hike and climbing over the rocks, many great photos.

 

I went on a Jet Boat with many students, I figured I had to see what it was like. A few others went canoeing. The jet boat required riding a gondola lift down into the river gorge, it was beautiful. Reminded me if Hells Canyon. I thought we would explore the canyon more, what we saw was great. The ride was interesting. I think the students enjoyed it a lot more than I did. I think the canoe is more my style.

 

Just about all the students went on the safari bush walk, I did also. Once again it was excellent. We had the same guide as last year Tawanda. I think this is the best activity at Victoria Falls. We saw antelope, giraffe (1 week old baby), wildebeest, zebra, warthogs, many interesting birds (I saw a small snake!), and a rhino. We actually were very close to the rhino, it was very exciting.

 

We have all had good meals while here. Funky Monkey Pizza has been a big hit. My favorite meal was last evening. A few of us cooked a traditional Zambian dinner. Our teacher was Leonard Costa, our teacher friend from Muchinshi. I invited Leonard to join us for our trip and it was an excellent decision. He has added a great deal to the trip and I am glad to have had the opportunity to share all this wonder with my (our) long time good friend.

 

On the way here we stayed at Lusaka. Baobab College cooked us a meal and breakfast. I also gave a morning presentation to grades 2-6 in the Assembly Hall, it was a great. I met the new Headmaster at Baobab and he is keen to have more of his students travel to Chimfunshi. I also spoke to him about our plans to expand to a semester program as well as interest in discovering more ways to get Gonzaga students involved in Zambia. I think this will be another great connection. He agreed that he would also like more of his students to have the opportunity for interactions with local school children from the Chimfunshi area. We discussed my idea to consider having a few Muchinshi kids at the Center with the Baobab kids, all exciting. This has great potential! I appreciated his interest and enthusiasm to explore new possibilities. While at Baobab we also got to meet a little with Clarie, Gerhard, Abbey, Reese and their new baby. Our visit was short, because it was getting late. Claire came to the Assembly and Abbey was in the crowd. The Baobab students sang some great songs at the end of the Assembly, very uplifting.

 

Well are about to head back to Lusaka in about 10 minutes. We stay at Eureka, hope we get there in light so we can explore a little.

Peace, 

Mark

Hi Molly,

“We just had our second International School, Baobab College form Lusaka. They arenâ•˙t really a College. The kids were grade 4, most were 9 years old. Our students certainly have had a bit of variety in terms of visiting children. A few students helped the Chimfunshi gift shop for most of the day by making buttons and magnets; their help was much appreciated. Saturday and Sunday it looks like we may help scrape and prep the orphanage for a new coat of paint. The students are all eager to help ╲give back╡ to Chimfunshi; this really is a great group of students.

Looks like we may head to Livingston a day early and spend a night at Baobab College in Lusaka on the way there to make it a two day trip as opposed to an incredibly long one day trip. We are still working out details.”

Comment from Molly: I do hope it works out to break the trip at Baobab College – what another great cultural experience for our students! If that has worked out they will have left Chimfunshi this morning! (And, actually, given the time change, may already be in Lusaka). I will post any updates I receive.