Beekeeping—A Way to Generate Income and Conserve Forests

Poverty offers few options. So for many years villagers in Mbayi have turned to charcoal burning (making and selling charcoal) as a means of survival, a way to combat the repeating occurrence of hunger which dominates their lives. Unfortunately this rather easy solution has caused deforestation in the area. One of the ways the Zambian Government has addressed this concern is through the provision of a Beekeeping Initiative (bees need trees). For those interested in being trained in apiculture, they supply the artificial hives.

Zambia VentureWendy BourgonNovember 20, 2013Bee Project, Contributions, Mbayi, ZambiaComment

Feeding Hungry School Children

Recently little Moses fainted at school because he hadn't eaten in several days. Hunger is rampant in Mbayi. Children who walk long distances to school with empty tummies have little energy to concentrate in class. Poor nutrition is affecting their mental development. Hit hard by the incident with Moses and concerned about the plight of these kids, I met with teachers at Mbayi Primary School. It was clear we needed to devise some sort of feeding program. I had some bags of dehydrated vegetables brought by recent visitors and offered to buy mealie-meal (corn flour) for the traditional nshima (the staple cornmeal food). So the other day amidst much excitement two volunteer mothers prepared lunch. Fifty children were at school that day (there are about 200 registered), for the most part tattered and hungry, and I felt a tug at my heartstrings as they seriously then joyfully had a meal together.

Zambia VentureWendy BourgonOctober 12, 2013Children, Contributions, Food, Mbayi, ZambiaComment

They Are in the Air—And We Are Ready!

Stay tuned as the Canadian Team launches the construction of a Health Post in Mbayi. Watch us mould bricks from giant ant hills!!!

And so much more...

Zambia VentureWendy BourgonMay 10, 2013Contributions, Health Post, Mbayi, Zambia Comment

Canadian Donors Improve Lives

Golden, a 54 year old volunteer teacher in Mbayi, was involved in a road traffic accident in 1978. He had just finished high school and was in the Zambian National Service. They took him to a hospital where the doctors performed a below the knee amputation. Then the hospital administration told him he would have to raise $300.00 (Canadian) for an artificial limb!!! Over the years he has managed, bit by bit, to pay money towards the new leg waiting for him in a storage room at the hospital.

Zambia VentureWendy BourgonMay 6, 2013Contributions, Health, Mbayi, Perseverance, ZambiaComment

Agape Land School

Mid December 2012 I received a text from my friend Presley which simply said “Good news—we have been given a community school to run” ( the owner had moved to Lusaka). He knew it would be good news to me because for quite some time I have been very concerned about the plight of street children and how to help them. We met in Chingola town, grabbed a taxi and took the short trip, about 20 minutes, to Chabanyama.

Zambia VentureWendy BourgonMarch 31, 2013Children, Contributions, Education, School Project, Zambia Comment

A Christmas Treat

On Thursday night of this past week something unusual was happening in Mbayi. Little children were cuddling teddy bears, tummies satisfied, their mothers watching the cooking fire burning low while remembering a chicken in the pot. That's because a group of mothers in Canada raised funds to sponsor a Christmas party (again this year!) for Mbayi mamies. About eight months ago a container arrived with many gifts from these mothers for mothers here but it was the four boxes of teddy bears in various sizes & colours that caught my heart.

Zambia VentureWendy BourgonDecember 23, 2012Contributions, Mbayi, Zambia Comments

Caledonia Moms Take On Malaria

According to the World Bank's International Development Association ' no continent suffers the ravages of malaria more than Africa. And in Africa, no country bears more of malaria's burden than Zambia.' It kills more children under the age of 5 than any other disease or illness and there is no vaccine. Driven by this information, the hearts of some Canadian mothers, the Moms Group at Caledonia Presbyterian Church, determined to make a vital difference in the lives of their friends, the mamies in Mbayi, worked in earnest to raise funds for mosquito nets, to provide a barrier between families and this fearsome disease. I've been in hospital and heard the anguished wail of a young mother whose infant just succumbed, a heartbreaking sound that lingers within me. Malaria is responsible for up to 40% of under 5 years and 20% of maternal mortality.

Zambia VentureWendy BourgonSeptember 28, 2012Contributions, Health, Mbayi, Zambia Comments

Hope Continues . . .

Two years—it's been two years this month since I first met with the villagers in Mbayi. And two years also that I'd been away from Canada. Recently back in Zambia, out of jet lag and somewhat caught up with things here, it's time to pause and remember . . . I had six (which became seven) wonderful weeks in Canada with my incredible mother who will turn 85 this September, my son Malo—the great blessing in my life, my two sisters who are so “there” for me (thanks Sheri for gathering support in London, ON!) and so many warm reunions with the most amazing friends one could imagine.