Window on the WorldBy Randal Dick
Superintendent of missions
Window on the WorldI want to share a story that I hope will inspire you, warm your heart and leave you saying, "How did they do that?"
It is the story of two young members who gave their lives for the better part of a year to help care for the most vulnerable of all God's children--the orphans.
Faith Orphanage Foundation in Kitwe, Zambia, was founded in 1992 on nothing but faith and commitment by Faith Liyena, a Zambian mother in her 30s. Although she had two young children of her own, she stepped out on faith to do something for the thousands of babies (many born with AIDS) orphaned because their parents died of AIDS.
Robi Sonderegger and Noleen Sanderson from Australia served in both an administrative role and in the field from February to November. Here are excerpts from their diaries.
Feb. 25 (Noleen): Getting to know the little faces and names at the babies orphanage.
These are the children who have been abandoned and subsequently found on street corners, bushes and rubbish bins. They don't have anyone to comfort them when they cry, or to smile, play and laugh with them.
I spend my time just hugging and holding each toddler in turn (and sometimes five at once). I have fallen in love with one little boy, Derrick, more than a year old but tiny.
Although he most likely has AIDS, he is just so beautiful. I wish I could take him home with me.
March 6 (Noleen): Where do I start? I find myself living with about 13 Zambians squished into a house in Kitwe.
It's a crazy place with constant noise, a multiplying rat population and absolutely no privacy. Last night the house was over-full with people, but this morning I wandered around looking for some food and someone to talk to, but didn't find either. Welcome to Zambia!
March 12 (Robi): After many lengthy discussions with Faith Liyena about the vision and aims of the Faith Orphanage Foundation (FOF), I have officially been appointed to the position of administrative director and given authority to do whatever is necessary to get FOF up and running.
March 25 (Noleen): Robi has malaria! It started to develop on the way back from Lusaka yesterday.
We sat on a crowded bus for seven hours, and the temperature inside was higher than that outside. Sheer hell! He's so sick, and I'm left alone to care for him.
I don't think I've ever felt this alone. Robi can't eat, is not always fully conscious, can't see, is vomiting and having diarrhea. I think it could be cerebral malaria. I've been praying like I've never prayed before.
April 5 (Robi): Lying on my bed feeling utterly exhausted. We've just returned from three days in the bush conducting a census of our registered orphans in remote rural villages.
It is just horror to continuously listen to the kids relate their family history and witness their current welfare status.
May 15 (Noleen): The poverty of some people in the bush is staggering, and the deeper into the bush you go the worse it seems to get.
Most people only eat one meal a day, have one set of worn-out clothes, and maybe (if lucky) have a blanket or flour sack to sleep on.
Most young children (orphaned or not) are terribly malnourished with big swollen tummies. Many have large open wounds on their legs. It's so sad to see.
June 14 (Robi): I'm sitting in the setting sun on the step of Mibenge school outside the principal's office.
It's been a long day but a great one. This morning after a Zambian breakfast of sweet potatoes, we had an encouraging meeting with FOF's staff and community members.
Aug. 9 (Robi): Mibenge's chief came through for us, and we have been granted our own African residential village.
The community has been mobilized to assist us in renovating it for future volunteers, educational programs and administrative operations.
Sept. 19 (Noleen): Last night we had a scary time with our friend Judith, a teacher and FOF implementer at Mibenge.
She has come down with cerebral malaria and is in serious condition. I've never seen anyone in so much pain! We gave her some of our malaria medication, but we didn't have enough for a full course.
Being late at night and out in the bush, no transport was available, and Mibenge has no access to health clinics or medical assistance.
Early this morning we rushed her to the hospital a few hours away in the nearest town Kalulushi. I hope and pray that she will be OK. Malaria is such a horrible disease. Robi's had it three times now. It's amazing that one little mosquito can do so much damage.
Sept. 20 (Noleen): Judith is dead! It doesn't seem real. I was so sure she was going to be OK.
Oct. 1 (Robi): Everything is so quiet and peaceful in the mornings.
The morning birds and the voices of our neighboring villages filter their soft sounds for miles. A little girl has just snuck over to watch our morning activities and is peering at me from behind a tree. I guess we white people really are a strange sight.
Oct. 22 (Robi): While sitting by the camp fire last night, under a sky full of stars, we realized that we only have three weeks left in Zambia.
Can hardly believe how fast this year has flown. We arrived back in Mibenge village again last Tuesday after being out on a field assignment. We are encouraged by the progress being made in the community.
Now that time is running out, we don't want to leave! We are just so impressed with the newly implemented leadership training seminar workshops.
Moved by Judith's death, the community has been mobilized to establish its own medical clinic. It's fantastic to see the people so motivated. No sitting around waiting for handouts from charitable organizations.
One thing we have come to learn this year in Zambia is that it's not money the people need to get themselves back on their feet; it's vision.
The leadership-training program has challenged the Mibenge community's thinking and allowed them to see that yes, they can do it on their own. That they can achieve anything they set out to, because everything they need is already within them.
This has been my most rewarding venture and to see it in action has made this year in Africa all worth it. I'm just so ecstatic!
Nov. 9 (Noleen): Well, it's the day before we leave Zambia.
Robi and I are racing around doing last minute things and trying to pack up a year's worth of experiences. Mixed emotions!
I'm so excited about traveling in Zimbabwe and then finally getting home to see family and friends. However, I know I'll miss the dear children, our newfound friends, and the simple village life-style.
It's been such a privilege to work here in Zambia this year and to live with the people in remote rural communities. It's something not many people ever get the opportunity to experience.
This year has taught us so much. Robi and I voluntarily came to Zambia to give and help where we could, but we both agree that we have received so much more than we ever could have given.
Although we had some really tough times this year, if it came down to it, we would do it all again! Our departure from Zambia now leaves us wondering what our next adventures will entail and where that road will take us.
Worst memory: Hand washing 100 dirty nappies (diapers) at a babies orphanage in Uganda.
Best memory: Our last night in the village; we became engaged to be married!
Congratulations, Robi and Noleen! And thanks for sharing your experiences. It's a tremendous example for all of us. We wish you much happiness and many more adventures in Christ's service.
ZAMBIAN ORPHANS--Some of the 108 orphans registered with Faith Orphanage
Foundation.
ZAMBIAN MISSIONS TRIP--Noleen Sanderson (above) takes a break in the
bush. Lower photo: Robi Sonderegger. Some villages are accessible only by water.
Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 1999