A suitcase update . . .

 

A good kind of tired . . .

Well, not that it is about me . . . however I am very tired and sore from yesterday's village visitations.  I will say however it is a good kind of tired.  It is just after 7:30pm in Mwandi and I am about to settle in for the night.  Yes, it is still very cold here . . . cold enough that I left my jacket on all day and I hide under multiple layers of blankets at night.  I am still very concerned for so many of the local peoples.  

I'm just returning from a wonderful meal of homemade pizza with the Waddell's as well as being able to sit by a small fire for a bit before crossing the driveway to the cottage.  Yes, they are looking after me well and I hope that I am useful to them also in some way. 

So what happened today?

The day began as usual with devotions at the brick yard (aka Sheltered Workshop), then we moved into employment conversations once again.  These young folks are paid a fair wage to produce building blocks, care for the chickens, pigs, garden and a few tasks around the grounds.   We began by talking about integrity  . . .  doing what is right even when no one is looking . . . and how that plays into not only the workers reputation but the team's and ultimately the company's reputation.  We discussed how one's reputation will go further than their feet will travel, and if they are known to be honest, have integrity as well as good workmanship they will ultimately be sought out for new, and often better paying positions.  They seemed interested and asked many questions once again.  We then discussed trade jobs and how that is where much of the money is to be made at this time.  It is an area where folks may become well skilled and known for an excellent job . . . even to the point of self employment, without  having completed secondary school.  Keith Waddle assisted and we even discussed what was needed for self-employment down the road.  Next week we will look at some assessments to assist these young folks in understanding where their strengths are and what jobs may correspond with them.  They were asked what they liked to do and/or what is your dream job.  Answers such as an electrician, a plumber, and an administration job were mentioned as well as the "i don't know" and "I am not sure".  The assessments should be helpful and interesting to them and their supervisor/instructor.  

Next it was off to the OVC to sit with the counselor to work out a schedule and logistics of us both working with the children for the next 2 weeks.  Then we headed over to the main building where they feed the children for staff devotions.  After staff devotions and while the children were waiting for lunch, the counselor and I read a book to the children.  I read in English and she translated into Losi.  It was about Cecil the lost lamb and how the Shephard left the 99 to find him.  We correlated it to the scripture relating the Shephard to Jesus and the sheep as us . . . he knows each by name and loves us each and every one!  They then sang some songs including if you're happy and you know it.  Finally it was time to eat and yes we assisted with passing out the trays of food.  Today they had Nsima (much like thick grits that are picked up with their fingers), a bit of broth, a bit of cabbage and a chicken leg.  As the children finished they took their trays outside and rinsed them and stacked them to be properly washed later.  I wanted some pictures however much like the schools back home, pictures are now not allowed to be posted for the children's protection.  Once everything was cleaned up that was all for today.  The OVC is now primarily a feeding center only now as the preschool portion of the program is not currently functioning.  The OVC currently serves 100 children from the ages of 1-10 years of age however, this number does include a handful of older disabled children also.  

Once home, there was a sweet bowl of homemade butternut squash soup and bread waiting for me.  Again, the Waddell's take such great care of me!  Then it was the daily round of how in the world do I get my suitcase . . . it has been a week now.   Much of the same . . . do this, do that . . . call them, no call them . . .still waiting on response and a resolution. . . this is getting so old.  Thankfully I have some clothes!

Then it was off to the hospital to see one of the young men whom participates in the sheltered workshop.  He had surgery for burns yesterday and is improving. No, it didn't happen at work.  I will also work with him individually regarding the same employment information I share with the others as well as to share the scripture from the morning devotions with him daily as he is up to it.  He seemed pleased to have visitors. Tori the Waddell's dog even snuck in to see him which really made him smile!

We spoke to several people along the path home and then I had time to journal as well as to discuss each of our events of the day as we waited on supper.  All is well ✌ 

Peace and blessings to all  . . .  good night!

Anonymous Comments/Responses

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I hope everyone has a great day!  

With love and gratitude, 

Tammy 

Moving Right Along . . .

It is currently 4:30pm (Mwandi is 6 hours ahead of EST) and 47 degrees.  It is cold!!!  So many vulnerable people in the village with no heat and with limited resources some do not even have blankets.  I am thankful to have a small heater in my lodging, however it doesn’t warm much it just takes the edge off.   I do find it a bit strange that early evening seems to be colder than early morning. There was even snow in Johannesburg, South Africa yesterday.  https://edition.cnn.com/2023/07/11/africa/johannesburg-rare-snow-fall-spc-intl/index.html  (The picture is last nights sunset on the Zambezi River, overlooking the Namibia side of the river.) 

Today has been a good yet tiring day.  It began with some Jungle Oats (aka “porridge”/oatmeal) and some juice.  Then on to the Sheltered Workshop for devotions.  After devotions the workers were provided with tea and “biscuits” (oreo cookies, yes I brought some 😊) while we discussed employment topics.  Today’s topic was about keeping a job, particularly as they are hard to come by in Mwandi as it is primarily a farming and fishing community along the Zambezi river.  General expectations that are Universal were shared such as being on time, no leaving early unless there is communication, choosing to do your best work, and of course put those cell phones away until break or lunch.  They asked some good questions and I was sure to state that these are general expectations!  Whether they travel out of Mwandi or internationally, these will be the general standards of expectations.  I feel that without knowing the expectation, there is no way to meet it. 

It was another round (2 hours) of how do I get my luggage from Denver, Colorado to here.  It has been all but a week and I’ve grown tired of the run around, jumping hoops and being told “policy states”.  If United Airlines would have delivered my luggage to Johannesburg as it was initially to be routed there would not be an issue. I have filed a complaint with Emirates as I did file for missing baggage last Thursday evening in Johannesburg but it never was properly executed.  Once I receive a response from the complaint, I will then have the “PIR #” to file for the baggage.  I was even told to call United Airlines and get a World Tracking number which I did.  The next person at Emirates didn’t want that number and directed me to online correspondence.  Go figure . . . it needs prayer . . . that’s all I will say for now on that subject. 

I then met “Mum” Gertrude at the road near the market to walk to the Village to visit the elderly, the sick and a severely disabled child.  I carried about 20 oranges to give to them as well as prayed for each as we visited.  It was good to see some familiar faces!  This is the first long walk in the sand since my recent back surgeries.   I slowed her down a bit but we made it.  I will return to walk with her on Friday to visit more folks, including down by the river which seems like 5 miles out. 

On the way home, we stopped at the Orphan’s and Vulnerable Children’s Center (OVC) to confirm where I would be volunteering.  I will begin volunteering with one of the counselors that I had met years ago.  She primarily works with the children and also participates in the Children’s Program after lunch.  There are devotions with the children at the OVC at lunch time also and I have been informed that I may have tomorrow’s time.  I have also been asked to teach a Symposium in 2 weeks to the OVC staff which includes the counselors, so I will begin to pray about the subject matter.

Once home, Mubita (son of the Waddles) came back from a run with the medical students from Davidson College (Davidson, NC).  It is good to get to know them also and we have had many great discussions in the last few days.  It is interesting how many professions/specialties have similar and or varying/different perspectives on many topics.  We will all join them and their instructor Dr. Verna Case for dinner on Friday at Simba House.  Surely it will be marvelous with great company.  I also remember how good Irene’s cooking is from when I stayed at Simba many years ago.

Well, I’m off for dinner and then an early night, especially since it is cold.  Please pray my bag issue is remedied tonight!  Thanks so much 😊

A Facebook post :

 

Monday :

A down day (rest) due to stomache and back issues . . . yet busy all the same.

Internet established, hot/warm water to the shower repaired, met with a few folks early this morning. Even for a Mwandi winter it is strangely and extremely cold here today. Morning found us at 50 degrees and afternoon at 70 degrees however in the shade is about 15 degrees less. Remember the general population in the village does not have heat & air.

I hope to begin blogging soon now that I have internet . . . still no suitcase though. Pastor Percy gave an assist and went to the airport to file a second lost baggage claim for me. When it arrives he has graciously offered to put it on the bus as Mwandi is about 4+ hours from LIvingsotne.

Honestly a bit concerned with flying home on the tickets I purchased with United Airlines as the arrival piece was a fiasco. Yet, I have 3 weeks to love and walk alongside people here and work through the travel home later.

Winter rears its head . . .brrr . . .

It is cold even for me however . . . Most in Mwandi do not have adequate shelter and blankets to get warm

An Unexpected Twist of Events . . .

 

Well my journey was not as expected . . . in all honesty United Airlines completely failed in the area of customer service in every possible way and in every attempt for a resolution!

My initial flight from Charlotte to Newark was to depart at 1:30pm, after being boarded multiple times, sitting at the gate and on the runway after being told that air traffic control didn't hold us this last time . . . United Airlines did, no food except a $15 food voucher dated for the next day which arrived as we sat for an hour on the runway.  Staff told myself and 3 others who were connecting with an 8:45pm flight to Johberg to get in line to rebook as they didn't hold the big birds.  The initial 1:30pm flight was still on the runway at 8:55pm and the 4 of us were told that all flights for the next day were full and that our only option was to call customer service.  

Reminder now, the initial flights purchased were Charlotte to Newark to Joberg to Livingstone.  I paid good money for a direct flight from Newark to Joberg with a seat upgrade of just over a couple hundred dollars with United Airlines . . . After 3+ hours with customer service on the phone the jist was the fastest route was Charlotte to Newark to Toronto (Air Canada) to Dubai (Emirites) to Joberg (Emirites) and I then had to rebook my Joberg to Livingstone (Air Link) leg on my own and pay an additional $80 to do so.  

To top all of this off, my luggage was tagged to be delivered directly to Joberg.  When I arrive Joberg a day late and went looking for my luggage at 10:30pm it was not to be found.  I was told it wasn't a United Airlines issue to file a claim with the airline that I flew in on, so I went back to the Emirates counter and did so.  While I was filling out the form I received a call from a United Airlines staff member in Denver Colorado stating she had my bag.  How in the world did it get to Denver?  This occurred on Thursday. 

As I have not heard anything I call United Airlines on Sunday and wait for almost an hour to get a customer service representative that acts like they are doing me a favor to even speak to me.  They state my bag remains in Denver as they never received the lost baggage form.  I had a friend in Livingstone, as Mwandi is 4 hours out, to go and file a new form.  I attempted to contact United Airlines again today (Tuesday 7/11) only to sit on hold for over 20 minutes.  

I kept hearing United Airlines quoting "policy states" . . . well, when you mess up and your policy keeps you from providing a basic level of customer service in order to remedy the situation . . . you need to revisit your policy, else your business plan will surely fail over time.