Thursday, March 29, 2007
"What we really need..."
Mary here at Chishawasha: Bob and I have been here almost two months, and I can assure you , every day here is an active one. So, I am finally getting around to writing a BLOG. I will share the BLOG job with our talented assistant director, Phil Mvula, who was carrying on with it after Sam returned to Ithaca.
Phil and I talked through several ideas for writing this first joint effort. Should it be upbeat, a delightful story of life here? There are, after all, with these many children, lots of good and funny things happening each day. A sad story? Loss here in Zambia is endemic, virtually pandemic; always plenty of sadness to write about also.
We finally decided on telling you what is really on our minds most often. I will call it, “What we really need…”
Every morning Phillip and I put our heads and our schedules together and plan the day, dividing up the errands and administrative chores for running a home for 35 and a school for 80. We finish the day, or the part of it that doesn’t include the reading and play time with the children, with another conference. Inevitably, at each meeting, one of us says, at least once, “What we really need here is….” The blank space is filled in with: A chicken coop, a skills workshop, a garage, a scholarship fund, someone to teach carpentry, more money for house repairs, bigger clothes for bigger children, desks and tables in the school and in the homes, a VCR for the school, a generator. The list goes on and on.
The fact is that our children are growing and their needs are changing. We will be adding some more young children soon when the two houses under construction open. But we also have a pretty large number of teenagers, some of them very good students.
We are committed to making certain that all the kids we care for are taught the skills they need to make it in adulthood. We are at a critical stage in our growth, and in theirs, where we can see that several will need soon to be thinking about trade schools, colleges. They need different kinds of tools to get there, things we haven’t yet acquired to help them. We make the resources that we have go pretty far, but new needs become apparent all the time. I’ll give an example:
Dr. Bob made note of a couple of the older kids he thought might need eye exams, Sharon and Lazarus, and I arranged to take them in last Friday for tests. Both need fairly strong prescriptions, it was shown. As we drove back, I calculated how much the glasses would cost and how we could pay for them soon if we are careful. When we got home, I was met by the housemothers with a list of another several children who need eye exams also. It makes sense: These children have often lived for years without good nutrition and are quite likely to have developed sight problems. We just hadn’t quite figured on this high a need. But somehow that need will be met.
Another: Last year several of our Junior High (Basic, here in Zambia) students were able to attend a leadership camp for a few days, a trip sponsored by their school. This year they very much wish to go again, and we want them to go. The camp this year is in Botswana and will cost more. They are trying to earn the money for part of the expenses, and, somehow, we will meet that need too.
Many of us, when we think about these orphans, imagine sending them toys, stuffed animals, a cute outfit. Certainly the children delight in presents and are thrilled especially with the personal pictures and letters that sometimes come with a gift box from a kind donor. But what we often really need isn’t something easy to pack into a box even something the child can yet fully appreciate. It is usually a tool—an object, funds, a skilled person—that will help us fulfill the commitment to bring these children into healthy and productive adulthood. You may have an idea where we can find some of the resources we need. You may even have already contributed to our work or plan to do so. Maybe all you can afford to do is read this BLOG. For anything you can do or have done, including following this BLOG, we thank you.
Phil and I talked through several ideas for writing this first joint effort. Should it be upbeat, a delightful story of life here? There are, after all, with these many children, lots of good and funny things happening each day. A sad story? Loss here in Zambia is endemic, virtually pandemic; always plenty of sadness to write about also.
We finally decided on telling you what is really on our minds most often. I will call it, “What we really need…”
Every morning Phillip and I put our heads and our schedules together and plan the day, dividing up the errands and administrative chores for running a home for 35 and a school for 80. We finish the day, or the part of it that doesn’t include the reading and play time with the children, with another conference. Inevitably, at each meeting, one of us says, at least once, “What we really need here is….” The blank space is filled in with: A chicken coop, a skills workshop, a garage, a scholarship fund, someone to teach carpentry, more money for house repairs, bigger clothes for bigger children, desks and tables in the school and in the homes, a VCR for the school, a generator. The list goes on and on.
The fact is that our children are growing and their needs are changing. We will be adding some more young children soon when the two houses under construction open. But we also have a pretty large number of teenagers, some of them very good students.
We are committed to making certain that all the kids we care for are taught the skills they need to make it in adulthood. We are at a critical stage in our growth, and in theirs, where we can see that several will need soon to be thinking about trade schools, colleges. They need different kinds of tools to get there, things we haven’t yet acquired to help them. We make the resources that we have go pretty far, but new needs become apparent all the time. I’ll give an example:
Dr. Bob made note of a couple of the older kids he thought might need eye exams, Sharon and Lazarus, and I arranged to take them in last Friday for tests. Both need fairly strong prescriptions, it was shown. As we drove back, I calculated how much the glasses would cost and how we could pay for them soon if we are careful. When we got home, I was met by the housemothers with a list of another several children who need eye exams also. It makes sense: These children have often lived for years without good nutrition and are quite likely to have developed sight problems. We just hadn’t quite figured on this high a need. But somehow that need will be met.
Another: Last year several of our Junior High (Basic, here in Zambia) students were able to attend a leadership camp for a few days, a trip sponsored by their school. This year they very much wish to go again, and we want them to go. The camp this year is in Botswana and will cost more. They are trying to earn the money for part of the expenses, and, somehow, we will meet that need too.
Many of us, when we think about these orphans, imagine sending them toys, stuffed animals, a cute outfit. Certainly the children delight in presents and are thrilled especially with the personal pictures and letters that sometimes come with a gift box from a kind donor. But what we often really need isn’t something easy to pack into a box even something the child can yet fully appreciate. It is usually a tool—an object, funds, a skilled person—that will help us fulfill the commitment to bring these children into healthy and productive adulthood. You may have an idea where we can find some of the resources we need. You may even have already contributed to our work or plan to do so. Maybe all you can afford to do is read this BLOG. For anything you can do or have done, including following this BLOG, we thank you.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
At home but not at home.
Sitting here in Ithaca, NY looking out on a world covered in snow with temperatures in the 20's its hard to compare with the warmth and regularity of the Zambian sun which by now is being occasionally blocked by rain clouds in a world that is turning green with growth everywhere.
I am feeling exactly like someone who has abandoned his family. The only relief from these feelings is the thought that Phillip and Maria are there every day along with the house mothers in the residences and Ms. Mwanza in the school. They are dedicated to their work and the childrens' needs.
Also the arrival soon of Bob and Mary will give the kids some new things to do and think about and learn. It makes me happy just to imagine Bob coming with some puncture proof soccer balls that will last more than just a few hours before going flat. And just imagine having a Doctor on staff!
Mary has a lot of good ideas that will involve the children in new, fun and benefical activities. I am sorry to miss all that but know that life goes on and things will be going well in Chishawasha. And I know that both of them will read to the kids every day.
I am especially proud of Phillip for taking over this blog and doing such an outstanding job, he certainly surpassed his "coach". Good work, Phillip. Perhaps you will become a writer if the kids ever wear you out. I look forward to readinig your blogs, nothing gets read and re-read more carefully by this old muzunzu.
And thank God for Kathe who continues her sustaining work of fundraising and guidance which keeps everything going.
Blog pressing out of Ithaca,
Sam
I am feeling exactly like someone who has abandoned his family. The only relief from these feelings is the thought that Phillip and Maria are there every day along with the house mothers in the residences and Ms. Mwanza in the school. They are dedicated to their work and the childrens' needs.
Also the arrival soon of Bob and Mary will give the kids some new things to do and think about and learn. It makes me happy just to imagine Bob coming with some puncture proof soccer balls that will last more than just a few hours before going flat. And just imagine having a Doctor on staff!
Mary has a lot of good ideas that will involve the children in new, fun and benefical activities. I am sorry to miss all that but know that life goes on and things will be going well in Chishawasha. And I know that both of them will read to the kids every day.
I am especially proud of Phillip for taking over this blog and doing such an outstanding job, he certainly surpassed his "coach". Good work, Phillip. Perhaps you will become a writer if the kids ever wear you out. I look forward to readinig your blogs, nothing gets read and re-read more carefully by this old muzunzu.
And thank God for Kathe who continues her sustaining work of fundraising and guidance which keeps everything going.
Blog pressing out of Ithaca,
Sam
Sunday, December 24, 2006
christmas gift
This week we are preparing for Christmas and the mood of children is very high, Maria was giving out clothes from our warehouse, Christmas trees are up in the two residents and the Christmas lights. We have more children this week because a good of those that went to visit relatives have come back. The last group is expected to come today because we told them they need to be before Christmas day so that they can have Christmas Party together
We have a new mother in place of Alice who died two weeks ago. She’s good and a tenderhearted. Her name is Rose Mungoma aged 51yrs. To the children, this is like a Christmas gift
Philmvula
Saturday, December 16, 2006
cutting on the wound
The past week has been heartbreaking at chishawasha children’s home of Zambia because of lose of one the mothers ,she died on 11/12/2006 and buried on 14/12/2006.she was one of the first mothers we had when we had just one house ,she has worked with the children almost three (3) years and developed good relationship with them.
Early this year, she ill for almost three mouths, recovered and came back to work. After a mouth ,she lost her daughter who left her with two grandchildren
When the news of her death reached us, mothers and the children started crying loudly, because traditionally this side of the world, the women and girls are suppose to cry loud ,while the men sob silently. You can only see the tear dropping from their eyes. Except for my tribe where the men are the ones who start crying before anybody else.
This reminded me of the time I stayed in the village ,where when someone dies in one of the villages .whether you know them or not ,you are suppose to mourn and show some respect. If you are young ,you stay indoors until the last day of funeral and they use to tells us that we are not suppose to see the coffin. This is different in the city like Lusaka where we are. Unless you know the one who has died that’s when you can participate.
I wondered what FORCE our youngest child, who use to sleep with her in her bedroom was thinking while all these things were happening. being that he lost his parents and now loosing the person who was taking care of him.
For the older children it was like a reminder of the death of their parents. While they were mourning for this mother I felt like the pain of loosing parents in this children is very deep. It was like you cutting on their wounds. Not only the children, but the mothers as well because they are all widows.
This is the first death for the member of staff we have experienced as an organisation and the place is not feeling the same, because we are just like one family.
Even though these things happen almost everyday here, this one feels like our direct burden which we need to bear. I do not know how because we don’t have room anymore, the two houses which we haven’t finished yet are already full. God knows what will happen to two
grandchildren she has left.
Philmvula
Early this year, she ill for almost three mouths, recovered and came back to work. After a mouth ,she lost her daughter who left her with two grandchildren
When the news of her death reached us, mothers and the children started crying loudly, because traditionally this side of the world, the women and girls are suppose to cry loud ,while the men sob silently. You can only see the tear dropping from their eyes. Except for my tribe where the men are the ones who start crying before anybody else.
This reminded me of the time I stayed in the village ,where when someone dies in one of the villages .whether you know them or not ,you are suppose to mourn and show some respect. If you are young ,you stay indoors until the last day of funeral and they use to tells us that we are not suppose to see the coffin. This is different in the city like Lusaka where we are. Unless you know the one who has died that’s when you can participate.
I wondered what FORCE our youngest child, who use to sleep with her in her bedroom was thinking while all these things were happening. being that he lost his parents and now loosing the person who was taking care of him.
For the older children it was like a reminder of the death of their parents. While they were mourning for this mother I felt like the pain of loosing parents in this children is very deep. It was like you cutting on their wounds. Not only the children, but the mothers as well because they are all widows.
This is the first death for the member of staff we have experienced as an organisation and the place is not feeling the same, because we are just like one family.
Even though these things happen almost everyday here, this one feels like our direct burden which we need to bear. I do not know how because we don’t have room anymore, the two houses which we haven’t finished yet are already full. God knows what will happen to two
grandchildren she has left.
Philmvula
Saturday, December 02, 2006
The Sky Is The Limit
THE SKY IS THE LIMIT
This has been the exciting, challenging and most successful
year of Chishawasha Children’s Home, we have the school , the clinic and two more residents are yet to be completed before the end of the year.
This is so because of you people, who have stood shoulder to shoulder acting with courage in making sure things are moving this side of the world. You may not realize it, the things you do, may look simple in your eyes. they are far beyond our expectations, it is not that we do not yearn for more, but this is to let you know how much we appreciate what you are doing for zambian children.
I am so delighted, to let you know , that these children feel they are among the most privileged in the world. Because, the time these children were coming to us, some of them that I witnessed, I could see young lives scared by poverty, racked by diseases, contorted by discrimination, futures cut short and potential unrealized because of lack of education.
Now that they have a beautiful school and a home, I could see the excitement, the joy and the eagerness, to learn, as they walk to their beautiful school every morning. Thanks to you people out there who has taken this privilege and putting yourselves at service of these children . As you join our lifelong struggle for service with UNICEF’s mission to protect the children’s rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. And I’m sure with these facilities only the sky will be limit.
I write these words that my heart would have me shout. I am amazed at your generosity not only the generosity of money, but of spirit and I feel words are not enough, to express my gratitude, so all I can say is Thank You to all of you, who supported Sam Weeks, when he was here with us. He is a wonderful man, we will always miss his great sense of humor which lifted our heavy burdens. He was a friend, a teacher and a father, to the children. He was a great leader to the members of stuff, his servant heart left us challeged. Time was very unfair with us, we wished he should have stayed much longer. May God richly bless him and everyone who contributed to his coming and stay here
Thursday the 30th of November was the closing day for the school, the children had a special meal and their guardians came to collect the school reports. Mrs. Mwanza the headteacher said, the guardians were saying they are very happy with the progress and change of the children. These are the children coming from the community that surrounds us to our school.
Therefore, I call on those whom we have called on before to continue in this partnership that is committed to this change and those whom we have never called upon to join this movement for the children . I also challenge all those who currently enjoy the riches of the world to take their knowledge and power, their technologies and resources, and , most of all, their imagination and creativity, to help make the world better for children.
Phillip
This has been the exciting, challenging and most successful
year of Chishawasha Children’s Home, we have the school , the clinic and two more residents are yet to be completed before the end of the year.
This is so because of you people, who have stood shoulder to shoulder acting with courage in making sure things are moving this side of the world. You may not realize it, the things you do, may look simple in your eyes. they are far beyond our expectations, it is not that we do not yearn for more, but this is to let you know how much we appreciate what you are doing for zambian children.
I am so delighted, to let you know , that these children feel they are among the most privileged in the world. Because, the time these children were coming to us, some of them that I witnessed, I could see young lives scared by poverty, racked by diseases, contorted by discrimination, futures cut short and potential unrealized because of lack of education.
Now that they have a beautiful school and a home, I could see the excitement, the joy and the eagerness, to learn, as they walk to their beautiful school every morning. Thanks to you people out there who has taken this privilege and putting yourselves at service of these children . As you join our lifelong struggle for service with UNICEF’s mission to protect the children’s rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. And I’m sure with these facilities only the sky will be limit.
I write these words that my heart would have me shout. I am amazed at your generosity not only the generosity of money, but of spirit and I feel words are not enough, to express my gratitude, so all I can say is Thank You to all of you, who supported Sam Weeks, when he was here with us. He is a wonderful man, we will always miss his great sense of humor which lifted our heavy burdens. He was a friend, a teacher and a father, to the children. He was a great leader to the members of stuff, his servant heart left us challeged. Time was very unfair with us, we wished he should have stayed much longer. May God richly bless him and everyone who contributed to his coming and stay here
Thursday the 30th of November was the closing day for the school, the children had a special meal and their guardians came to collect the school reports. Mrs. Mwanza the headteacher said, the guardians were saying they are very happy with the progress and change of the children. These are the children coming from the community that surrounds us to our school.
Therefore, I call on those whom we have called on before to continue in this partnership that is committed to this change and those whom we have never called upon to join this movement for the children . I also challenge all those who currently enjoy the riches of the world to take their knowledge and power, their technologies and resources, and , most of all, their imagination and creativity, to help make the world better for children.
Phillip
Saturday, November 18, 2006
My last blog press out of Africa
The future:
Phillip Mvula, the Assitant Director and a very articulate fellow and a good friend (except when it comes to chocolate) will continue this blog and will share blogging with Mary and Bob during their stay here, Jan-June 07. So it will be lively, informative and from several perspectives. I am looking forward to reading it.
Currently:
I am trying to live in both my worlds simultaneously, aware of the problems of both but with the benefits of neither. Well, thats not quite true. I did enjoy emswa (fried termites) just yesterday and I still have a few USA snacks from the generosity of friends at home.
Looking back:
I came about 10 months ago. One wonders if I have done any good here, anything lasting. Have I justified the expense it took to get and 'keep' me here? Have I taught anything worthwhile? Ms. Mwanza and I have often talked about how much the children forget. I never realized how much forgetting is involved in education.
Recently came across the statement (I think from Ithaca UU newsletter) to the effect that: Caring/kindness is more important than wisdom. So perhaps the kids learned that there are people that care for them who will pay to send someone to them who perhaps is kinder than he is wise.
Maybe the time spent playing with kids was more important than any facts that might have stuck. Ph, and may be the importance of a good sense of humor-
Last night two teenage boys, John and Wisdom came to my room, knelling on the floor to show respect and started laying K50,000 bills on my bed.
"Whats this for?" I ask.
"Sir, we want to show you how much we appreciate you." The bills keep coming.
"Did you guys rob a bank? Where did this come from?"
"No sir, this is for you." Very serious looks.
Finally there is K300.000 on my bed. "I can't take this and I can't [was afraid to] imagine where this came from."
After stringing me on for a little longer, they confessed that Uncle Phillip had given them the Egg Money to pass on to me for Saturday morning purchase. Uncle Sam received his due, they'd pulled his leg expertly.
Soon to be out of Africa,
Sam
Phillip Mvula, the Assitant Director and a very articulate fellow and a good friend (except when it comes to chocolate) will continue this blog and will share blogging with Mary and Bob during their stay here, Jan-June 07. So it will be lively, informative and from several perspectives. I am looking forward to reading it.
Currently:
I am trying to live in both my worlds simultaneously, aware of the problems of both but with the benefits of neither. Well, thats not quite true. I did enjoy emswa (fried termites) just yesterday and I still have a few USA snacks from the generosity of friends at home.
Looking back:
I came about 10 months ago. One wonders if I have done any good here, anything lasting. Have I justified the expense it took to get and 'keep' me here? Have I taught anything worthwhile? Ms. Mwanza and I have often talked about how much the children forget. I never realized how much forgetting is involved in education.
Recently came across the statement (I think from Ithaca UU newsletter) to the effect that: Caring/kindness is more important than wisdom. So perhaps the kids learned that there are people that care for them who will pay to send someone to them who perhaps is kinder than he is wise.
Maybe the time spent playing with kids was more important than any facts that might have stuck. Ph, and may be the importance of a good sense of humor-
Last night two teenage boys, John and Wisdom came to my room, knelling on the floor to show respect and started laying K50,000 bills on my bed.
"Whats this for?" I ask.
"Sir, we want to show you how much we appreciate you." The bills keep coming.
"Did you guys rob a bank? Where did this come from?"
"No sir, this is for you." Very serious looks.
Finally there is K300.000 on my bed. "I can't take this and I can't [was afraid to] imagine where this came from."
After stringing me on for a little longer, they confessed that Uncle Phillip had given them the Egg Money to pass on to me for Saturday morning purchase. Uncle Sam received his due, they'd pulled his leg expertly.
Soon to be out of Africa,
Sam
Saturday, November 11, 2006
"I like this place." X 2
Blog up date:
The blogging time in the email cafe can be rather stressful. It is just one of several "must-do" errands. The last blog regarding the visit of our Canadian donor was one such time when I was rushing. I wanted to conclude that Phillip had done a wonderful job in keeping us all together and seeing that things got done and got done on time. Not only did I not give him the credit, but I reverted to the short-hand name I use for him which is Ph. Anyway belated kudus (these are African Kudus of course) to Phillip and his good work.
Speaking of Phillip, he was suppose to do last week's blog and had it all ready on disk. This blog was to include pictures. We have been trying to include pictures almost from the first blog. We have not made it yet. Since its was to have been mostly pictures, the text was not too meaningful by itself, so no blog.
Just like with the hard-to-see forest because of all those trees, sometimes Chishawasha is hard to see because of all the children. For example I had spent a good part of an evening caring for the foot of one of the boys who had stepped on something and had a gash in it, not too fresh, but it did not look infected. So sat him down with a bucket, some detol disinfectant and lots of hot water for a good soak. Of course he had to sit there longer than he wanted, which I hoped would remind him to keep his shoes on more. However, the next day I looked out of the van and saw him racing us full tilt down the driveway in his bare feet!
So sometimes its good to get other people views on this place. But first...
Building up-date:
The footings, foundation and pad are complete on the two new houses and the footing and foundation on done on the 3rd new building, the clinic.
In January, Dr. Robert Garrett (Dr. Bob) is coming (with Mary Hotvedt, Ph. D. & chicken fancier) to establish a clinic and see if he can staff it with volunteer Drs. So we need and will have a building to house that effort.
Dr. Mathews Simfukwe of the SOS school (where our hi-schooler go) Clinic has agreed to work with Dr. Bob and to sponsor him via their clinic (Zambian legal requirement). Dr. Mathews has treated some of our kids via SOS. As a start to this colaberation, he is coming out and doing medical histories chart on each child. And this has meant regular visits here on week-ends.
Dr. Mathews is one of Zambia's treasures. A rarity, not because he is a doctor, but because he chose to stay in Zambia. He has a wonderful warm smile, is out-going with a good sense of humor. For example, as my stay here grows short, he has changed my name from Weeks to Sam Days.
Puzzled by why a man who sees children all day at school and does community work as well, would chose to spend a day off seeing more children at Chishawasha, I put it to him. "Sam," he says with the warmest smile, "I like it here. I like what you are doing."
But the good doctor does not come by himself. He is accompanied by his three sons ages of about 5 - 9 years old. After having been here for most of the day, the youngest Simfukwe confidently announces to me in such a direct manner as to leave no discussion, "I like it here and I am going to spend the night!"
So there you have it from the oldest to the youngest (who did not get to spend the night) Simfukwe.
Blog pressing out of Africa
Sam
The blogging time in the email cafe can be rather stressful. It is just one of several "must-do" errands. The last blog regarding the visit of our Canadian donor was one such time when I was rushing. I wanted to conclude that Phillip had done a wonderful job in keeping us all together and seeing that things got done and got done on time. Not only did I not give him the credit, but I reverted to the short-hand name I use for him which is Ph. Anyway belated kudus (these are African Kudus of course) to Phillip and his good work.
Speaking of Phillip, he was suppose to do last week's blog and had it all ready on disk. This blog was to include pictures. We have been trying to include pictures almost from the first blog. We have not made it yet. Since its was to have been mostly pictures, the text was not too meaningful by itself, so no blog.
Just like with the hard-to-see forest because of all those trees, sometimes Chishawasha is hard to see because of all the children. For example I had spent a good part of an evening caring for the foot of one of the boys who had stepped on something and had a gash in it, not too fresh, but it did not look infected. So sat him down with a bucket, some detol disinfectant and lots of hot water for a good soak. Of course he had to sit there longer than he wanted, which I hoped would remind him to keep his shoes on more. However, the next day I looked out of the van and saw him racing us full tilt down the driveway in his bare feet!
So sometimes its good to get other people views on this place. But first...
Building up-date:
The footings, foundation and pad are complete on the two new houses and the footing and foundation on done on the 3rd new building, the clinic.
In January, Dr. Robert Garrett (Dr. Bob) is coming (with Mary Hotvedt, Ph. D. & chicken fancier) to establish a clinic and see if he can staff it with volunteer Drs. So we need and will have a building to house that effort.
Dr. Mathews Simfukwe of the SOS school (where our hi-schooler go) Clinic has agreed to work with Dr. Bob and to sponsor him via their clinic (Zambian legal requirement). Dr. Mathews has treated some of our kids via SOS. As a start to this colaberation, he is coming out and doing medical histories chart on each child. And this has meant regular visits here on week-ends.
Dr. Mathews is one of Zambia's treasures. A rarity, not because he is a doctor, but because he chose to stay in Zambia. He has a wonderful warm smile, is out-going with a good sense of humor. For example, as my stay here grows short, he has changed my name from Weeks to Sam Days.
Puzzled by why a man who sees children all day at school and does community work as well, would chose to spend a day off seeing more children at Chishawasha, I put it to him. "Sam," he says with the warmest smile, "I like it here. I like what you are doing."
But the good doctor does not come by himself. He is accompanied by his three sons ages of about 5 - 9 years old. After having been here for most of the day, the youngest Simfukwe confidently announces to me in such a direct manner as to leave no discussion, "I like it here and I am going to spend the night!"
So there you have it from the oldest to the youngest (who did not get to spend the night) Simfukwe.
Blog pressing out of Africa
Sam
