Wow.  It was absolutely everything I thought it would be.

World Vision was amazing, the families were amazing, the whole country of Zambia was so peaceful and inviting.  There was a lot of traveling involved to get there... over 30 hours there and back, but it was more than worth while.

We visited 2 families and a school in the area of development that World Vision is helping.  It's so weird, I had the same reaction when I went to the army base in Afghanistan; you hear about these situations from commercials on tv or the news, but nothing prepares you for when you're finally there, seeing it for yourself.  It's really happening.

The poverty over in Zambia is devistating... the simple things that we take for granted affected me the most-- the kids that only have 1 outfit (and they're filthy dirty), the fact that they have no shoes, a tiny hut that 5 people are living in, it takes them hours and hours to walk to school... and the list goes on and on...

The locals were so excited and welcoming, they were sincerely thankful that I had made the trip and was going to represent their struggle in my own country.  Africans are filled with music!  I got to sing for them, and the songs and dances they performed for me were like nothing I had EVER seen before!!  They have a song for everything: welcoming me, saying goodbye, the school kids even created a performance about sexual activity and aids!  That would never happen in North America...

I ended up sponsoring a 12 year old girl that I met there named Doris.  She was so sweet and kind, and she appreciated everything so much.  Doris' grandmother was 109 years old, and all of her 8 children had passed away so now the Grandmother was looking after Doris and her 3 cousins.  They had nothing.  They ate weeds for their one meal a day and would go 3 days at a time without eating anything at all.  Doris slept on the dirt ground every night without a pillow or any blankets.  She only had one dress that was ripped and much too large for her.  When we visited her and the family we gave them tons of food, I even bought her a matress!!  They were extatic... it brought SUCH joy to me (and to them).

I went over there with World Vision to help promote the 30 hour famine that will be taking place on April 3rd and 4th.  They are working so hard over there, it's so easy to think that the money we give just goes into this void but it doesn't, its a very efficient system that really gets right to the people who need it.  Wow, I sound kind of preachy but I really mean it.  This trip really affected me, I've never experienced anything like it.

So appreciate what you have people!!  We are soooooooooo lucky over here.  So lucky.

I've uploaded some pics onto my facebook page if anybody wants to have a look.

Now, I just need to deal with my jetlag!!  I woke up at 4 am this morning but I'm slowly trying to adjust.  Travelling is tiring, yo!  To quote a South African Airlines sign I saw in the airport:

"We realize that travelling is difficult and stressful, but please don't take it out on us"  Lol

xo, Suzie.