Unusual times....

Hello everyone,

Almost the end of January 2021 and back to working from home like so many others!!  

December had been a busy month for me.  This is usual in Zambia at the end of the year - people don't wind down for Christmas the way they do in the UK!!  

I had a workshop for teachers from Southern province and Lusaka for a week - we had it in a conference centre of the United Church of Zambia.  This meant that all the participants could social distance as they all had their own rooms!  We had two new teachers taking part from Mazabuka which was great - hopefully they learnt something and the style of teaching they were doing will change for the better!!

We made a lot of materials using rubbish for them to take home to their various ECD centres.  I have to admit I was tired after the workshop - its a lot of work doing everything on your own, but I was thankful the conference people took care of meals for us!!

discussing what children learn through play...

making materials....

the group of teachers with me (with long grey hair...)

No sooner had I finished that workshop on Friday but I had to go and attend another workshop myself on behalf of the Synod.  I went with 4 other ministers from our church to Chongwe where we were discussing a project that USAID are supporting concerning helping men who are HIV positive.  The second part of the workshop was dealing with Child Safeguarding which is really why I was there!  There were people there from many different churches so it was also good to meet with them and talk about various issues we are dealing with as churches in Zambia.

This photo is of the church leaders who were present.  Second from the left is our Deputy General Secretary, Rev Lloyd Mithi.

The following photo is of the rest of the participants...its quite easy to spot me!!

Christmas was quiet this year - I spent the day alone but in the evening I was invited for dinner to friends who live nearby which was lovely!  

I spent the rest of the holidays at home - thankfully I have a wonderful garden to roam around and take photos of birds and flowers - it is such a blessing to have this space.

Schools are presently closed - we are told they may open on 1 February but have not had any confirmation yet so we wait and see!  Numbers of Covid-19 have risen dramatically since December and I have been working from home since the new year!  Some days are better than others - some days I get excited about preparing something for schools, other days I can't seem to be enthusiastic!  But I always try to take some photos - we have had amazing mushrooms over the December period with the heavy rains and the heat!  Not sure if they are edible so  I didn't bother trying!!

Lots of different flowers and birds too!

and some crawlies....

Before I moved house I had two lovely young lads for neighbours!  They have just finished school and have moved back to Kafue where they are from!  Before they left, they came for a visit - was so lovely to spend time with them!

Its rainy season and so we have some days of little sun, but some amazing sunsets and sunrises!  

While life is not as is used to be, I am always encouraged by the wonder of Gods' creation even in the bugs around me!  I am so thankful to have this wonderful place to stay - in the city but yet among trees and wildlife!!

Wishing you all a wonderful day!

Blessings,

Diane

PS...it has taken me almost all day to upload this blog because the internet is so slow these days....