Zambia Archives — Thrifty Mommas Tips

The Avani Victoria Falls, Zambia – Best of Two Worlds

Paula — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 12:57:57 +0000

The minute our shuttle pulls up to the The Avani Victoria Falls in Livingstone, Zambia I know we are in for a treat. After an early morning, a flight from Lukasa and a drive to the destination, the journalists on my shuttle are sleepily staring out windows until someone hollers – GIRAFFE. We roll up to the lobby where we are greeted by a group of four local dancers who take turns placing hand fashioned crowns on our heads while someone snaps photos. Located in Subsaharan Africa, the Avani Victoria Falls is a welcoming, unique resort located within walking distance to the wonderous Victoria Falls. The nature reserve the property sits on features zebras, giraffes, monkeys and more, roaming the grounds daily at dawn and dusk. This past October I had the chance to spend three wonderful nights at the Avani when doing a fellowship in Zambia. From the moment I arrived I felt welcome and safe. Staff are attentive and friendly and the surroundings are immaculate and magical. It’s All About Location Just like that real estate adage: it’s all about location. The Avani Victoria Falls in Livingstone has location in spades. Imagine waking up and opening your drapes to see zebras all over the courtyard grazing on grass. Now imagine driving back on your shuttle at night after a long day working or exploring and finding a bull elephant crossing the road with a small entourage. You get all that and more at The Avani Victoria Falls. Even now, writing this and reflecting on being there, I can’t help but shake my head in wonder at how incredible it was watching wildlife peacefully grazing while tourists stroll past. Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park The Avani Victoria Falls is not far from the banks of the Zambezi River, in the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park. Rated at three stars, this resort felt much higher to me. There are 221 en suite rooms and numerous spaces equipped for conference capabilities as well. Every room has either a view of the landscaped in ground pool at the heart of the resort, where wildlife can be spotted daily as well, or a view of the lush SubSaharan bush. A Moroccan Style Beauty Moroccan style rooms are charming and remind you that you are immersed in a completely different culture. Each of the rooms has ample space for at least 2 people and a small family could manage in the room that I stayed in. There is a large bathroom space with shower and bathtub. There are two restaurants on property. Buffet style breakfasts and dinners are perfect for conference, business or family travel. This is not a place that stands on formality and yet there are many opportunities to enjoy traditional African dishes here. The grounds are lush and the grass is peppered with quirky animal sculptures. On arrival you will be escorted by shuttle to your room. You are likely to pass by a cute looking pond but beware the sign regarding a crocodile on the premises. If you are traveling with small children they will need close supervision due to the wildlife here. Located a really short walk away is the Royal Livingstone Hotel. The Avani Victoria Falls shares some privileges with the Livingstone so be sure to take advantage of those. In your off hours you can easily walk the pathways to the falls or to the neighbouring Royal Livingstone Hotel. The patio there overlooking the Zambezi River is gorgeous. Make it a priority to visit at least once when the sunsets. Have a sundowner as you watch a family of Hippopotamus yawn and play in the river. Be sure to snap some photos and a selfie or two. Best of Two Worlds Near Victoria Falls A stunning location, the Avani Victoria Falls is the more affordable of the two resorts both located on the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park. The Royal Livingstone is the second of the two. Visitors can freely move between the Avani and The Royal Livingstone. Wifi is free but be warned you are in Zambia and it is not as reliable as some other destinations. [tweetthis]Traveller Tip – #travel You are able to freely move between the Avani Victoria Falls and The Royal Livingstone.[/tweetthis] Local Temperatures Temperatures in this area of the world are extremely hot and can hit 40 Celsius regularly. It’s important to hydrate and take breaks in your room. Water at this resort is safe and drinkable. Bottled water is also readily available if you prefer. Always check with your local travel clinic or family doctor to determine which vaccinations are crucial. I had numerous vaccines preparing for this important trip. The Avani Victoria Falls, Zambia There are so many things to do nearby. The Avani Victoria Falls is the perfect spot to stay if you plan to take part in any of the adventure activities nearby. Because this resort essentially backs onto Victoria Falls, you are within 5 to 10 minutes of the Zimbabwe border and can cross over. Do your research first though and check to see if it is safe, what it costs and how to cross – by foot or car. The view from either side of the Falls is gorgeous but there are better photo opportunities on the Zimbabwean side. And there’s a wicked crazy bungee jumping activity on the Zimbabwe side of the falls. I travelled as a recipient of the UN Foundation’s Zambia Fellowship this October. I received transportation, accommodations, excursions, and meals while visiting Zambia. My opinion is my own and my stories are truthful.

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Hope and Progress in Zambia – Emerging Cooking Solutions

Paula — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 10:19:48 +0000

We are sitting inside a small business with potential to change the landscape dramatically for Zambia. Emerging Cooking Solutions started in 2012 with a goal to make cooking safer. With a loan from the UN Foundation, Marion Peterson and Mattias Ohlson are changing lives for the better in Zambia. This is our first site visit in a five day tour of Zambia. We are here to see the impact of vaccines on the lives of children. I am traveling with a group of journalists who have each received a Shot @ Life fellowship to write about what’s happening in Zambia. The journey was long and the heat in Lusaka is unlike any heat in North America. Inside this Lusaka business place, there are no children being vaccinated. So how does this business tie into the narrative of child health improvements in Zambia? Here’s Why This Zambian Business Is Impactful Well, in fact, Emerging Cooking Solutions has a dramatic impact on child and adult health. That is worth understanding. “Our vision started with the idea that we could replace charcoal,” says Mattias Ohlson, CEO of Emerging Cooking Solutions. Burning charcoal is bad for the environment and for people’s health as well. Many North American and European countries strive to switch from charcoal to cleaner solutions. But in developing areas of the world the challenges often relate to poverty. Cooking is not negotiable as a huge amount of food must be cooked to be eaten. But charcoal and other BioMass fuels create extreme health hazards. What Does the WHO Say? The World Health Organization has identified indoor air pollution from cooking as a huge issue impeding health and progress in developing areas of the world. Inhaling indoor smoke doubles the risk of pneumonia and other acute infections of the lower respiratory tract of children under five. coal use doubles the risk of lung cancer among women. women exposed to indoor smoke are three times more likely to experience COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) such as chronic bronchitis or emphysema over women who cook with gas, electricity or other cleaner fuels. How Does ECS Work? Emerging Cooking Solutions – Zambia Ltd (ECS) is an alliance of United Nations Foundation‘s Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves. They educate Zambians and penetrate more households and businesses with clean cookstoves. ECS is a private company founded in 2012 and started in Sweden and ECS uses sustainable fuel pellets to power cookstoves. “We knew it would be a better performing solution. We knew we couldn’t use health arguments, or environmental arguments and we also knew we had to make the financial arguments work.” And that’s what they have done despite many obstacles, including a fire in their factory that required them to essentially start over with a new factory build. Despite the psychological shift required, along with the very real marketing and sales hurdles, ECS continues innovating. “Our challenge is how to get this into more homes.” The Clean Tech Aspect Many people in Zambia do not understand the issue of air pollution and respiratory disease related to cooking with charcoal. This technology, ECS, uses sustainable fuel pellets made from forest waste and powered by a solar panel that provides energy for the entire home. Shedding In Zambia shedding happens daily due to power outages. Every day the power is shut down for a couple of hours to conserve. With ECS and the solar powered energy source Zambian families can power through. “This really is a home energy system,” says Ohlson. Lusaka When I first landed with the group of journalists here in Zambia, we were driven to the Taj Pamodi in Lusaka. Lusaka is the capital of Zambia and it houses many of the head offices of NGOs like UNICEF and USAID. Shot @ Life and The UN Foundation work together supporting all of these NGOs, so we visit many of their offices on our first day. First Impressions of Zambia What strikes me first about Zambia is the amount of solar energy in use. Solar panels are on many homes, and I see the same thing when we briefly speed through South Africa and Johannesburg. Solar energy is harnessed even to charge iPads used at medical clinics and other facilities throughout Zambia. Not surprisingly then, solar is also used here at Emerging Cooking Solutions. In fact it is a huge piece of the business. The use of solar power is impressive and many areas of SubSaharan Africa are doing this much better than most of North America. Later in the day after leaving Emerging Cooking Solutions we visit Lusaka and Jubilee Ministries. Laneways are narrow and this area of Lusaka is densely populated. All along the side of the road, women and children sell big bags of charcoal. Smoke permeates the air here in this section of town and garbage lines the highway. A Personal Note and Reflection I’ve had bronchitis and I have been traveling on antibiotics, so the discussion of respiratory health impact is timely and topical. Like many Canadians, I cook with electricity and gas. Canada, and the US, can do better than we are presently. Here in this area of Lusaka people make a living burning charcoal and selling charcoal and it’s easy to see the impact on respiratory health even driving around in a bus with windows closed. The air quality in this neighbourhood is poor, and that’s not the only detrimental part of burning charcoal. Over time, more burns happen to children and adults burning charcoal as well. It is a dangerous means of cooking. The ECS system doesn’t pollute the air. “You have to have a natural circulation of air inside homes,” Ohlson says. Emerging Cooking Solutions has built a product that helps tackle energy use, health, sustainability and more. But first people need to understand it and buy it. Success has occurred selling to groups, women’s groups in particular see the importance of health and many also understand that it saves money, while often cutting down on work time. Yes, ECS is also used in orphanages and schools. A Time Saver The cooking system and fuel pellets by ECS save women and children time, which can in turn be spent with family. Children who don’t have to cook or search for fuel might be better able to go to school or do homework. These pellets and stoves save Zambians money, reducing their costs 30 to 40% over coal. That has a dramatic impact on quality of life for many Zambian families. ECS is one impressive innovation changing the quality of life for families in Zambia. Disclosure: I travelled with Shot@Life and the UN Foundation as a recipient of the Zambia Fellowship in October. Transportation, accommodations, excursions, and meals were part of my fellowship while visiting Zambia. My opinion is my own and my stories are truthful. If you want to help children in Zambia join Shot@Life.org.

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2016 Personal Travel Reflections

Paula — Sun, 01 Jan 2017 18:23:47 +0000

Every day is a gift and an opportunity to live, love cherish, explore and grow. Sad celebrity deaths and strange politics aside, I choose to celebrate 2016. As a consultant, tech, health and Canadian travel blogger, as a business person and a Mom, this past year exceeded my expectations. These are my personal travel reflections as the year ends. Travel was my 2016 word of the year. And I challenged myself to travel once a month every month for 2016. So how did that go? It went amazingly. I earned a prestigious Shot @ Life fellowship and travel journalism flourished. Here are my 2016 personal travel reflections. With the exception of three months, I travelled every month in 2016. We kickstarted that in January with an amazing family adventure to Vermont at Smugglers’ Notch. We learned how to ski back in 2015! Not so long ago and now we enjoy doing this wonderful winter sport together as a family. In fact we will ring in the new year on a ski hill and travel soon to Vermont again to do what we love together. We barely returned from our family cruise in December last year when we flew to Vermont and enjoyed that wonderful experience together. February and March took us away on more ski adventures throughout Ontario. We were blessed to spend Family Day at Parkbridge Resorts and Blue Mountain again. Perhaps we will have time to return there in 2017. In April we visited Viamede just outside Peterborough, in the Kawarthas, and spent Easter there doing some fun family activities as well. Highly recommend this place and frankly The Inn at Mount Julian featured the most amazing food I could have ever imagined. In May I was scheduled to do a conference in California, but I opted not to go. The investment didn’t seem like a good one actually after I reflected on it closer to the event. May is always ridiculously busy here with Mother’s Day and Infertility Awareness Week and the content and business was overwhelming, so a conference wasn’t high priority. September and November were other down months too. October was the biggest event this year with the Shot @ Life fellowship that took me to Zambia. Had something important cropped up in November then I would have done it, but October was a huge event. And in November I went back and forth to Toronto for business weekly, so time was limited. This year many of my travel opportunities and decisions were guided by family. I write about family travel and that was where my heart was much of the year. When I was able, I took family with me for some amazing family travel opportunities together. Life is short and my family matters most, so I turned down a few hosted solo travel international opportunities, including a trip to Philippines and Germany. Those are still places I plan to visit, but being able to travel with family made more sense to me. Seeing my husband and kids zip line through the treetops, conquering their fears, just as I conquered mine was the most magnificent and rewarding aspect of our trip to Quebec and Arbraska this year. Arbraska LaFleche is about 20 minutes from Gatineau. Very worth the visit. June was me on my own traveling to Martin County in Florida and doing some more of the great things I had on my bucket list. I paddle boarded and learned how to surf. Surfing school was a hoot. But I might need more lessons if I plan to do that again in future. A turtle nesting walk was a highlight. This year I had a rolling bucket list of adventures I wanted to try: zip lining, paddle boarding, more skiing on bigger slopes and surfing. Currently trying to figure out what to do in 2017. I got back from Stuart and Martin County, Florida and our family spent the weekend at Ontario Pioneer Camp in the stunning Muskoka area of northern Ontario. The camp impressed me so much we sent our youngest there for one week later that summer. She’s now asking for two weeks in 2017. I plan to make that happen for her because this is a superb camp with really skilled counsellors and a great program for kids with any unique needs. July was our entire family driving to Outaouais and Gatineau and Montebello. What a great trip! This was one of my favourites this year. Quebec is such a stunning province any time of year. But in the summer here it is magnificent. In August we were all over Ontario to Collingwood and Barrie, the Muskokas too. In September back to school was madness here and travel took a bit of a backseat. But then, October came and the Shot @ Life fellowship meant that October began at home and then headed to New York, South Africa, Zambia and for an afternoon Zimbabwe. It was a once in a lifetime adventure. There will always be time in my schedule for impactful travel experiences. The trip to SubSaharan Africa with Shot@Life was immense. That fellowship and the people I travelled with and met will remain with me forever. Africa was a giant leap for me. Exhausting, and magical all at once. Of course I came down with bronchitis right before we left which made the flight there harsh. What did I learn from all of this in 2016? I am able to take risks and push myself further than I thought. Goals are always worthwhile. They help keep me motivated and inspired. Goals and risks will inform my travel decisions this year as opportunities arise. Every trip is different. Sometimes public relations teams and tourism bureaus invite me to come on a trip. Sometimes that is compensated as well in addition to flights and accommodations. Occasionally I pitch a destination and we plan an itinerary together in exchange for coverage and shares on social networks. There’s no single path to success. Do what works for you. Personal Travel Reflections: This year has been a gift. Many don’t have the luxury of a long life, or a supportive and loving family. Many people work at jobs they don’t enjoy just to be able to afford the experiences I get to write about as part of my job. I know I am fortunate and this year has been a great one. Looking forward to 2017 and where it will lead.

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Livingstone – The History of the Gem of Zambia #TTOT #travel

Paula — Tue, 27 Dec 2016 14:17:58 +0000

Livingstone, Zambia is known as the Gem of Africa, with good reason. This October I visited Zambia and saw this gorgeous city up close. We stayed 3 nights in Livingstone, a stunning city with strong history. This historic city in Zambia has its own rich story worth discovering. And, it is also friendly, welcoming, and one of the most beautiful cities you could wish to see. The History of The Gem of Zambia In the 1890’s, the British took control of the northern area of the region via Cecil Rhodes’ British South Africa Company. The focus of their activity was mineral prospecting, and securing other natural resources such as timber, ivory, and animal skins. Old Drift Crossing was the primary point of crossing the Zambezi for trade. In 1897, people began to settle near Old Drift Crossing. Unfortunately, the first Livingstone settlement was too close to the Zambezi River. Malaria became a health issue because the crossing was so close to mosquito breeding areas. Tragically, Malaria killed many early settlers. The graves of the first settlers in Livingstone still remain near the Zambezi. In fact, we saw the graves while doing a safari one night. Malaria was such a problem that around 1900, the Europeans had to move to higher ground. And the settlement grew into what we know today as Livingstone. Livingstone is named for Dr. David Livingstone, the first British European explorer to see Victoria Falls. He did much to publicize the area and named it too. In fact there are many monuments throughout the area dedicated to him. There is a large statue near Victoria Falls on the Zimbabwe side as well. This explorer’s journey opened up Central Africa to trade, hunters and missionaries. The city of Livingstone was founded in 1905. Livingstone became such a booming trade community that the British South Africa Company moved its capital there in 1907. BUT, European and Asian business people owned pretty much everything, more and more indigenous families were forced into poverty by lack of work. Naturally, that caused conflict between the two groups of people. A mass exodus of Europeans began from the area to places like Southern Rhodesia (now known as Zambia) and South Africa. The British government began to discuss independence at the same time. All of this was going on amidst reports of the genocide of colonials in nearby Belgian Congo. British relinquished control of the area in 1964. Years of poverty, a lack of education, and few resources left Livingstone and the surrounding areas shells of what they formerly were. In the 1970’s the city was hit hard by the closure of the border with Rhodesia and businesses relocating. Times looked bleak through the 80’s and 90’s. The City Today Over the past decade, Livingstone has seen a major turnaround. Tourism is up, funds are more easily acquired, and people are interested in the area and culture. Many celebrated hotel chains have invested in the area to build on tourism. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that Livingstone is so close to almost every major attraction you could ever want to see in Sub-Saharan Africa. Livingstone has recently become known as the adventure capital of Zambia and I can attest to that. The Magical Destination of Livingstone Victoria Falls is walking distance from several resorts. There are numerous reserves and wildlife areas, as well as cultural sites nearby. The thing that surprised me most about Livingstone was the amount of wildlife we spied regularly. If you wish to see an elephant, you will spy an elephant – sometimes crossing the road right in front of you. It’s magical. Safaris and adventure tours revolve around the natural reserves and the Falls. Final Impressions of Livingstone Livingstone is vibrant and friendly and a gorgeous spot to visit. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there. It was a once in a lifetime trip. I visited Zambia as a guest of the UN Foundation’s advocacy organization Shot@Life. I received a fellowship to travel and share stories about health care in this country. My opinion is all my own and it is truthful.

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Tracking the White Rhinoceros – A Safari Adventure in Zambia

Paula — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 12:43:16 +0000

Even now, our safari adventure in Zambia seems surreal. Moments ago, we met a truck full of Zambian security employees armed with guns inside a reserve and sanctuary. Now the group of us walk single file on foot behind an armed escort tracking a white rhinoceros. This field, this sanctuary, is silent but for the sound of us walking and the occasional comment from our leader. Stick together, never run, follow instructions and you will be okay. Sun Setting The sun begins a slow surrender into the horizon, casting an incredible glow on this safari adventure. It is our last night in Zambia. We are on safari in SubSaharan Africa and that alone is magical and unexpected. We have been here visiting and working, interviewing staff, volunteers, and Moms across Zambia about their struggles to access health care, particularly lifesaving vaccines, for children. Why I am Here Our days have been long, scorching, educational and emotional too. We are here with the UN Foundation’s Shot at Life advocacy group. Together we are searching out and sharing the stories we find regarding Moms and their supernatural efforts to get their children what they need. Many of these Zambian Moms will walk as far as 20 kms to get their children lifesaving vaccines, or health care. We have heard many stories about innovation and success and the strength of women. The Last Night Here Tonight we anticipated going back to our rooms to pack, followed by a farewell dinner. But this is Zambia, in Southern Africa. Packing and rest can wait. When one of our members asked if there was anything uniquely local to see our driver advised us that we should go see the rare white rhinoceros. Why not? Together we are each expecting to take a few pictures of rhinos and drive back to the hotel. But, then we are greeted with a safari jeep and an actual safari tour at sunset. Our grins are enormous when we realize we are getting so much more than we thought. The Zambians have over delivered yet again. Just like most everything we have seen and done here we are amazed and surprised at the hospitality. We are treated brilliantly and made to feel at home. Zambians are kind and friendly and we are overwhelmed by our visit here. In Livingstone We venture through the reserve near our resort in Livingstone and scour the bushes for signs of wildlife. Then we turn a corner and three African male bull elephants are right straight in front of us. In a field to the right are bush bucks (they look like impalas) and dozens of zebras again. I will never tire of seeing zebras. They are so peculiar and exotic. Where else on earth would you find a creature so brightly adorned with stripes? Each time I spy a zebra I am overwhelmed with the desire to FaceTime my kids and show them what I am seeing but the time change makes that impossible. We’ve seen elephants and bush bucks and monkeys and giraffes up close. A trio of bull elephants stood directly in front of our jeep as the driver and guide cut the engine and we sat, like sitting ducks taking pictures. Elephants can and will charge you but our guide explains that as long as we show them our presence here is not a threat and we leave them to graze we should be fine. So we do just that snapping pictures, admiring this encounter and revelling in a once in a lifetime adventure. Our guide hands us each a leaf from a tree nearby and tells us we can eat it. Elephants eat this plant all the time, he says. It has a citrus-y flavour with a mint tone. We each try a bit. Monkeys and Babies Monkeys and their babies scamper out of the way of the jeep, hiding from cameras, and the sun slides lower in the sky. Then eventually we come to a guarded gate and a guide with a gun hops into our jeep. We are cleared to proceed, just as another jeep full of British tourists returns with great smiles on their faces. Our respective drivers trade tips – Find the bull elephants on the side road right now, our driver says. White Rhinos The white rhinoceros is another thing entirely. The crash of white rhinoceros is obviously highly guarded and protected. White rhinos have often been targeted by poachers, who will kill them only for their horns. This has happened before and entire herds have been slaughtered. Now the government supports wildlife conservation and takes preservation of these rhinos very seriously. Tracking White Rhinos We walk a short distance and the tracker, guide finds rhino scat. He scrutinizes the dry plants for signs too. They are nearby, but we will have to walk a bit further. This is definitely not something we were expecting. On foot we each follow single file until he stops and points. We walk around the first mother and daughter pair, taking pictures. About 30 feet away from us they are grazing. Other than the rhinos, and the guide, this savannah stretches as far as the eye can see, stopping only at the horizon. White rhinos are the only grazers of all the rhinoceros species. Are White Rhinos Actually White? I am thinking maybe they are extremely dirty white rhinoceros, but they are definitely not white. The guide must be used to this question because he explains: they were actually named wide rhinos by the Dutch but the locals at the time heard white rhinos. The Dutch word for wide sounds a lot like white. Regardless of the name white rhinos are unique and were nearly extinct in the 1900s. Now they are classified as near threatened. White rhinos are the second largest land mammals after the elephant. Sunset on Zambia The other guide spots another crash of rhinos but this time they are right side our jeep. We pause keeping the jeep between us and the magnificent mammals. It’s time to move on, back through the gates leaving these remarkable creatures behind. Before we finish for the day our driver stops along the banks of the Zambezi as we take some photos of the last Zambian sunset we will see. Our time in Zambia draws to a close, but what a way to end an amazing week. I was in Zambia doing a fellowship recently with the UN Foundation’s Shot at Life global vaccination program. If you would like to read more about that see this Shot at Life post.

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Jubilee Ministries, Lusaka #TTOT #vaccineswork

Paula — Mon, 28 Nov 2016 13:19:21 +0000

I have learned many tricks to keep from crying. But none of them work in this community in Western Lusaka, Africa. On an October day when still jet lagged we meet three Zambians changing Lusaka one heart at a time. Making an impact by ministering to the needs of Zambians in a community that sits on the outskirts of Lusaka. This is a neighbourhood devastated by AIDS and HIV. And this is the story that breaks my heart the most during our stay in Zambia. It’s our first day here and we have travelled all over Lusaka, Zambia. We started the day early and went from appointment to appointment, to learning lunch and then to UNICEF and more. Shortly after 3 we are all heading to the outskirts of Lusaka. Garbage is piled in mounds lining both sides of the road all the way out of town. The smell of burning garbage makes it’s way into the bus we are riding in, even though the windows are closed. There is no sign of a church nearby. Our driver hops out to ask numerous people if they’ve heard of Jubilee Ministries. To say that this place, this church, is off the beaten track, is the biggest sort of understatement. Jubilee Ministries church is down an unpaved road so narrow that our vehicle barely gets through. People line the side of the road in the western Lusaka neighbourhood. We drive through a market on the way and see people getting haircuts too in a barber shop built of recycled materials and plastic tarp. Many sit to the side of the road selling big piles of coal for home use. The air is smoky and it’s hard to inhale, but after numerous left turns and right turns and a phone call to the church, we finally come up beside the minister we are hoping to find. This is a stark contrast to the Lusaka we saw during the day. The centre of the city, where we were earlier today, has some moderate infrastructure. At least enough to handle the government offices and the NGOs that cluster there, making central Lusaka a hub of business activity for Zambia. We sit in a small room off site and the trio talk about the ways the church here had to change to meet the needs of the community. At first it was a church doing important work building membership and faith and then they saw that HIV and AIDS was devastating the membership. “We used to use our church for prayer,” says Wasifaru, a community outreach pastor. “But because of the HIV and AIDS issue we lost a lot of lives.” “We used to think it was not our issue. Jubilee Centre helped give us faith to sensitize us to what HIV is. We asked for guidance and then we understood HIV was also our issue.” Jubilee then also found their members had a great deal of food problems. When the father of a family passed away from AIDS, the wife had no income or job and the children would be unable to go to school. Food becomes impossible to buy. So Jubilee now provides food supplements to help. Malaria is also still a huge issue in Lusaka. Jubilee Ministries helps provide mosquito nets for families. All of that is important and impressive and yet none of it compares even slightly to the care given daily to people here suffering from AIDS. The AIDS and HIV positive status of people in this community is still very high. Some progress had been made but it is slow coming. Wasifaru leads us to the cement home of a family he tends to often. There are eight people living here in this space, a family of eight, and six of them diagnosed HIV positive. Sometimes progress is so small it is hard to see. The youngest two children in the family are not HIV positive. They are well. They are healthy. We crowded inside the tiny cement home and listened to the grandfather speak of his pain. Pain so awful that he begged to be taken to the doctor to ask to have his eyes removed. Wasifaru took him to the hospital at his request and the doctors told him there was little they could do. So he visits daily and prays and listens to what’s in this man’s heart and on his mind. I have learned many tricks to keep from crying. But standing inside the home of this man, flanked by his pastor Wasifaru from Jubilee Ministries I realize none of them work in Africa. And I remembered too that sometimes it is okay to cry when you are broken in pieces by a story. Sometimes hope and progress seem small, but stories of good people doing powerful things can be found everywhere. Here hope is the three in the picture, plus the two youngest grandchildren of the man who are not HIV positive. Now Babies born to women with HIV receive HIV medicines after birth and that sometimes is enough to give a child a chance. Many clinics carry HIV tests. Shot@Life campaign is an initiative of the UN Foundation and aims to ensure that children around the world have access to life saving vaccines. Shot@Life supports many partners like UNICEF and USAID on the ground in communities like Lusaka, Zambia where amazing groups like Jubilee Ministries give people hope, compassion, and support with complex health issues. You can help support Shot@Life by becoming a champion and advocating for better access to childhood vaccines. I travelled to Zambia as a guest as a result of the fellowship I received from Shot@Life and the UN Foundation recently.

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Zambia Travel – Tips for the First Time Visitor #travel

Paula — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 14:11:45 +0000

Zambia travel is a once in a lifetime, worthwhile, experience. With gorgeous vistas, the famous Victoria Falls, the Zambezi River, wildlife and the friendliest people you can imagine, Zambia might be one of the most remarkable places on earth. If you’ve never been to this exotic location, then the idea of Zambia travel can seem overwhelming. Here are some suggestions to make your trip to Zambia an epic one. Zambia Travel – Must See Locations When traveling to Zambia, there are some can’t miss places to see. These are the iconic stops that are exciting and known the world over. All of these places showcase the beauty of Sub-Saharan Africa and the vast scope of the natural environment. I had the good fortune to visit Zambia recently when I received a fellowship. The trip was beyond my expectations. These are the must see locations in Zambia. Victoria Falls Victoria Falls (Mosi-oa-Tunya) loosely translated as the smoke that thunders, is one of the most iconic landmarks in Zambia. It is roughly twice the size of Niagara Falls the famous waterfall that straddles both the US and Canadian border. Victoria Falls is classified as the largest waterfall in the world, because of its combined width and height. It is a UNESCO world heritage site and it is also occasionally referred to as one of the natural wonders of the world. A large wetland seems to fall into the center of the earth through a fast gorge. It is breathtaking in both its beauty and its scope. This miracle of the Earth’s natural process provides spectacular views and amazing photo opportunities. Because of the size of the waterfall though it is hard to capture the magnitude of this natural wonder unless you are traveling overhead by helicopter. Zambezi River Take a tour of one of the most spectacular rivers in all of Zambia. The Zambezi River is a must see wonder for Zambia travel. This river attracts thousands of tourists every year and offers excellent water sports as well as the opportunity to see some of Africa’s most iconic wildlife. Take a scenic sunset cruise on the Zambezi while you are here. You will not regret it. You will see hippos playing and yawning and elephants crossing the river too. South Luangwa National Park There are many beautiful reserves and parks in Zambia. This is one of the best known. Zambia has some amazing wildlife and you can witness many of the most incredible creatures in this gorgeous national park. Leopards and elephants are only 2 of over 60 different animal species that can be viewed in the park in addition to over 400 bird species. There are many national parks to see and visit here in Zambia. Very few have wild cats in them however. Lake Kariba Get the full Zambia travel experience at Lake Kariba. Not only does this lake feature all of the beauty of Africa’s landscape, it also boasts Africa’s largest dam. This lake is so huge, it almost feels like a freshwater ocean, and it offers excellent fishing, boating and water sports. Make it a full trip by staying at any of the lodges, chalets, or campsites nearby. [tweetthis]There are many gorgeous lodges and resorts in Zambia. #travel[/tweetthis] Chingola On your Zambia travel experience, make a stop in Chingola, the greenest city in Zambia. The most picturesque of Copperbelt towns, Chingola owes its lush, green landscape to the higher rainfall in the area. Visit the biggest open-cast mine in Africa, or enjoy shopping, fine dining, or a round of golf. [tweetthis]Do not carry Benadryl in your luggage to Zambia. It contains an ingredient that is illegal in this country #travel[/tweetthis] One caveat – when you visit Zambia or any other country internationally always check their entry requirements. Zambia has a rule for instance about carrying any products containing diphenhydramine in their country. Do not bring Benadryl for instance into Zambia. It is on their list of controlled substances and you can be detained as a result without warning. Check your allergy medication, if you travel with it. [tweetthis]Zambia is a beautiful country with many natural assets #travel[/tweetthis] Zambia Travel – All the Beauty of Africa Zambia is one of the most beautiful countries in all of Africa, and it shows. These are just a few recommendations. There are dozens of gorgeous locales you can experience on a Zambia travel experience. In addition to these gorgeous natural wonders, Zambia offers a host of beautiful cities, landmarks, museums, and other amazing experiences to be enjoyed. I loved visiting this country and found it friendly and safe. I was in Zambia doing a fellowship recently with the UN Foundation’s Shot at Life global vaccination program. If you would like to read more about that see this Shot at Life post.

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Under Five Day at Simonga Clinic in Zambia

Paula — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 13:14:00 +0000

About an hour outside Livingstone, sits Simonga Clinic, the first of several clinics we will visit while in Zambia. Simonga clinic is busy already with under five day. Babies breastfeed while toddlers play with each other tugging on clothing, and scoping visitors out warily. A tiny girl in pink tries to drag Mom’s purse across the concrete floor to show a friend. She bursts into tears when Mom lifts the bag out of reach. Another toddler wanders over to the immunologist in our group and he waves repeatedly engaging, until she holds out her hand for a high five. Then he is suddenly shy, racing back to his Mom. Under Five Day Simonga Clinic is without question in demand. Under five day brings a host of children with a range of concerns. Here, in Zambia, the primary caregivers are nurses. Volunteers are also crucial to the operation of this health care facility. We are here to speak to Moms and health care workers about their access to vaccines and the obstacles they face. The Distance and Obstacles This Zambian children’s clinic is eye opening. It is 9:15 a.m. and many Moms are already waiting. Some start out early and will walk as far as 18 kms today to get health care for their children. There are many common themes. Moms here all know how important it is that they get their children seen regularly. They very often walk with babies wrapped tightly in place on their backs and toddlers or other young children beside them. Most Moms speak of having no support from their husband. The care of the child is clearly all up to the females. Health care too. [tweetthis]55 % of the population in Zambia consists of children under the age 18 #vaccineswork #travel #zambia[/tweetthis] Our Lusaka Visit to Unicef Yesterday we spent some time in the capital of Zambia, Lusaka, where many NGOs (non governmental organizations) such as Unicef and USAID have headquarters. Zambia is a country of 14 million people. It is one of the most environmentally in tact centres in subSaharan Africa. The Facts Here in Zambia 80 % of Zambians are under 35. Life expectancy is not high at 49-50. In Zambia 55 % of the population are children under the age of 18. This is the mandate for UNICEF – The 55 %. Children are the future of the country, but a strong future relies on healthy children growing into thriving adults and there are still too many threats to children, even in Zambia. Stunting is a health challenge that can impact a child’s lifespan and potential. [tweetthis]80 % of Zambians are under the age of 35. #health #VaccinesWork[/tweetthis] The Positives Zambia has many things working in the country’s favour. For instance, the government here supports and believes in building a strong health care system. Vaccines are highly important to health care policy and the government works hand in hand with many NGOs to build a thriving population. The UN Foundation, which started Shot@Life, a child vaccine advocacy and accessibility group, also works with the government of Zambia by funding and supporting groups like UNICEF and USAID. HIV, Malaria and Malnourishment Although improvements have been made, HIV and malaria are still leading causes of death and a large majority of children are malnourished and have stunted growth. The first 24 months of a child’s life are critical for brain development, so there is a new effort to educate mothers and get children adequate nutrition when they are still very young. Children who do not get the food they need can face lifelong consequences and may never grow into the potential they might have seen otherwise. Kelfisea’s Story at Simonga Clinic Today Kelfisea, 24, a mom of three children, aged 1 to 7 years old, has brought her youngest, David to Simonga. Two of her three children have had some health issues. David, in a red plaid shirt, seems a bit withdrawn while having his picture taken. Earlier, he was the small sweetheart running around trying to make friends with Purvi, an allergist and immunologist in the group. Like many kids in Zambia, he struggles with stomach issues. Here diarrhea can be deadly. The Nurse in Charge Nurse Mamakau Akafekwa has been working at Simonga Clinic for four years. She has been a nurse for 20 years and started as a community worker when she was much younger. She was a former member of the Red Cross and always loved helping people so nursing was a natural choice. She has one community health worker and one general worker and some volunteers who support the work being done. Inside Simonga Clinic in Zambia Simonga is four rooms with a very basic bathroom and limited access to electricity. Simonga Clinic serves 5,077 people in 4 different zones. There is a delivery room which is tiny and a vaccine fridge, an exam room and intake space. Other big obstacles to receiving vaccines can be cold chain related. Vaccines must be kept cold so that they are viable, and in places like Zambia the heat is a factor. Also electricity is not reliable. Power Issues The Zambian government uses something called power shedding, which means the power is turned off every day for hours at a time. They now publish a schedule ahead of time to let people, and health care clinics such as this one know when the power will go out. Vaccine refrigerators like the one in Simonga use electricity to keep vaccines cold. They are able to keep the unopened vaccines cool for 12-14 hours without power. Now many vaccines also come with a sticker on the bottle that will tell you if the maximum temperature has been exceeded. In that case the vaccine will no longer be effective. Simonga Clinic Services Women can and do give birth here. But if there are any complications, an ambulance is needed. There is one ambulance for the entire area and distance is great. HIV testing is often done on site and the staff also provide prenatal care. Immunizations are a big piece of the puzzle at Simonga Clinic. There are many obstacles to making sure lifesaving vaccines are delivered at the right time to all who need them. Many volunteers and community leaders also sensitize the community to the reasons why vaccines are so important. Other Health Issues in the Area Right now in this clinic it is also cold and flu season. There is, as always, a lot of diarrhea. Along with immunizations, wellness visits, and treating sickness, Vitamin A and deworming are also administered here. In the rainy season Malaria is expected to spike again and in winter come the respiratory infections. Occasionally workers will do outreach too but distance makes that very hard to do in this area of Zambia. MERCY In various areas of Zambia, many Moms and Dads will easily volunteer to tell you their hopes for their children when you ask about health care and vaccines. Mercy and Kelvin are here today because Kelvin, 3, (pictured above) has an upset stomach. He tells his Mom that his stomach hurts often. Both Mercy and Kelfisea say lack of food is a huge issue for their families. Not surprisingly, Mercy is in charge of making sure her son gets his vaccines on time as needed. She hopes he will grow strong enough and healthy enough to attend school. “We want our daughters to be nurses,” several of the mothers tell the writers in our group. Obstacles to Care in Zambia Transportation to Simonga Clinic In Simonga, many Moms arrive in a group. It’s better to walk together, because most come a very long distance. As a result, the nurse here has structured the clinic days accordingly so that vaccines are all done together and regular under 5 days are done on a specific day of the week as well. Most moms walk great distances to get here in sweltering heat. It is expected to be close to 40 degrees Celsius today. Moms like Kelfisea and Mercy often leave extremely early in the morning to find the way here before the hottest hours of the day. Transportation is one of the greatest obstacles to children getting vaccinated here. The Wildlife Animals are also an obstacle to health care here that is extremely unique to this area. Elephants in Zambia can cause a lot of disruptions. In fact elephants, although majestic, can also be extremely destructive. One night after dinner we watch one crossing a main road with two others following. At the side of the road there are groceries scattered and a bicycle that has been abandoned. The bull elephant picks up the bike with his trunk and tosses it in the air. He scours through the groceries to log what is there. All traffic stalls that night and backs away to give the animals a wide berth. In SIMONGA Moms and Grandmothers are in Charge Volunteer Sefina Chile, 66, often spends five days a week helping at Simonga Clinic. There is always something to do from washing blankets or cleaning the floor, to weighing the babies and helping Moms. Sefina Chile is a grandmother to 8 and a mother of four. She tells us that all of her children and grandchildren are well. Sometimes she is the one who brings the little ones to the clinic when necessary. The Maternal Role in Health Care “When my grandchildren are sick I bring them with me to the clinic. They know not to be scared because Grandma is with them.” Chile has volunteered for about 2 years. She walks about 5 kilometres to get to the clinic on the days she helps or brings her grandchildren for care. At 66, she is one of the oldest women in the community. She is also a trusted role model to her family and many others. My children want to be sure their children get vaccines because they want them to be well, she says. “In my family I am in charge. I tell them get your vaccines and live a healthy long life like me.” Background on My Trip Read More about my time in Zambia here – > Lusaka and Jubilee Ministries I travelled with Shot@Life and the UN Foundation as a recipient of the Zambia Fellowship this October. I received transportation, accommodations, excursions, and meals while visiting Zambia. My opinion is my own and my stories are truthful. Stay tuned for more all this month. If you want to help children in communities like Simonga, join Shot@Life.org.

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Every Child Deserves a Shot at Life -Vaccines Work

Paula — Tue, 08 Nov 2016 12:33:18 +0000

Every child should have a Shot at Life. All children have a right to health. But, in developing countries around the world many families face overwhelming obstacles to accessing life-saving vaccines. Shot@Life is an organization that helps and advocates for funding to deliver lifesaving vaccines to those in need. I visited Zambia as part of a fellowship with Shot at Life through the UN Foundation recently. It was an amazing experience. Over the next few weeks I will share posts about that trip and the many clinics and aid organizations we visited. Yesterday I shared my first post about Preparing for the Zambia Fellowship. But today I want to share a bit of background about Shot at Life. A Shot for a Shot at Life Here in North America, we often take vaccinations for granted. A simple shot protects our children from flu strains, measles, mumps, rubella, polio and all kinds of other diseases and illnesses. Many of us take our children to the doctor and follow the vaccination schedule. We know it’s an important part of a child’s health care. Our vaccines are readily available and easy to get. But, not everyone has similar access to quality health care and vaccines. Around the world today, children are dying from 100% preventable disease simply because they don’t have access to preventative measures. This year 1.7 million children will die from diseases that have largely disappeared from Canada and the US. Why is that? Because many can’t access lifesaving vaccines. That’s What Shot@Life is About Shot@Life gives children everywhere a chance at life by increasing access to vaccinations. This organization encourages education, advocacy, and fundraising to decrease vaccine-preventable childhood deaths. Shot @Life literally gives children in developing countries a chance to grow up healthy. The History The United Nations Foundation started Shot at Life. The UN Foundation strives to build public-private partnerships to address pressing global problems. They broaden support for the United Nations through advocacy and public outreach. The common goal is always to try to keep children and adults in need healthy. This is the same group that does the get a shot, give a shot program with Walgreens. Together the UN Foundation and Shot@Life work with many US aid organizations to build a better life for children in need. A Shot at Life. A Shot at Happiness A Shot@Life strives to ensure that all children all get the life saving vaccinations they need to live happy, healthy lives. I believe strongly in the work they do, and I’m honoured to have been a part of it. Stay tuned for the rest of the stories about Zambia, the obstacles and progress made towards giving children everywhere a shot at life. I received the UN Foundation Shot at Life Fellowship this fall and I travelled with the organization to Zambia, so I could share the work this group is doing globally.

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Zambia Fellowship – Preparing For The Journey #VaccinesWork #travel

Paula — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 11:54:56 +0000

I’m sitting in a travel clinic getting a typhoid shot and a prescription for anti-malarial pills. Today this is what work looks like as I prepare to visit Zambia in October. It’s a Tuesday morning and I am talking typhoid, Twinrix, safety precautions, Canadian embassies and Malaria. Not my average day in the office. A few weeks ago I learned that I was one of the lucky journalists who received a Fellowship with the UN Foundation and an advocacy group called Shot@Life. Together with 2 other bloggers and a doctor with a regular column in a US newspaper, I will travel to Zambia. The itinerary is evolving, but it mostly looks like this: visit hospitals, and medical clinics, infant clinics, and rural villages to discuss health care innovations and obstacles in a developing country like Zambia. There will be translators along the way. There are about 80 languages spoken in Zambia. Some people speak English and some do not, so a translator will be important. The Zambia Shot@Life learning trip is the kind of deep storytelling activity I love. Plus it’s my first fellowship. I am proud of myself for earning this. I run through a range of emotions from excited, ecstatic and hopeful to worried. A warm, tense, knot of energy takes up residence in my stomach and propels me through my days. Some nights it keeps me awake wondering what can I expect to find in Zambia? Is it currently safe? What is the political situation? What is happening globally right now with respect to terrorist activity? Carry on or checked luggage? This is pretty much how I felt before leaving for Colombia with World Vision Canada in 2014. One hundred things to do and 101 emotions. When I first learn I have been chosen from a pool of hundreds of applicants I am exhilarated. I am grateful and overwhelmed with the excitement of such a big journey. Glad too that I switched majors in first year university and dropped any pretence of wanting to be an accountant. (Hilarious that I ever thought that would be an option.) There are many things to do before I leave for the Zambia Fellowship. Get all the vaccinations. Gather a doctor’s note for medications, just to be safe. Pack. Make sure my husband can adjust his schedule so that the kids are taken care of. My initial thrilled reaction becomes anxiety, but I am not an anxious person so this is new. I am a list maker by nature. It is the way I cope when I am overwhelmed, and it’s also the way I run my business. So I do what I always do to help follow through on a big travel opportunity – I start a list. Things to pack. Posts that need to be finished and scheduled to run on my site when I am away. Tweets that must be scheduled for clients. Things to do. Things I still need to buy. One by one I chip away. Googling Zambia repeatedly every morning in the weeks before we leave, I find there is not as much information as I would have hoped. I go old school. The library near my home has a great resource travel guide to Zambia and Malawi from The Lonely Planet. It is my Zambia travel Bible. I research history, safety and accommodations as well. I also study the map of this small landlocked country bordering Zimbabwe on one side. The flight to Zambia is intimidating. It will be well over 15 hours on the one flight alone. Zambia is Sub-Saharan Africa, so that’s south. We have most of the continent of Africa to fly over before getting there. Plus there is the flight from Toronto to New York, a lengthy layover and the two hour van trip down Highway 401 to get to the airport for the first flight and of course wait time too. I am ecstatic, but this this will be 20 plus hours of travel to get there and then also to return home. The longest flight I have ever taken prior to this was 8 hours to Paris, so I try not to think about it too much. I begin to build on what I know about Shot@Life and about Zambia as well and the tension in my stomach is eased a bit. At least until I visit the travel clinic and get the run down from a travel doctor who is not nearly as enthusiastic as I am. He calls up a map and checks are there any travel warnings or advisories? Zambia is marked safe according to the Canadian Government’s international travel site. But travel with “a high degree of caution,” it advises. I note to myself that this same status is assigned to the Dominican Republic where I have been easily 4 times and never had issue greater than a stomachache from seafood I shouldn’t have eaten. Zambia is landlocked and the travel doctor goes on a small tangent about the current president. He is promising, he says. But then he warns me – there are at least 3 neighbouring border countries that are not safe to visit. The Canadian government warns on their web site about international travel: Do not cross into areas like The Democratic Republic of the Congo. “Carjacking and armed assaults also pose a risk. Landmines present a risk in Zambia’s border areas with Angola and Mozambique.” The travel clinic doctor has a job, I suppose, to warn me and inform me, but the knot in my stomach is bigger and it’s consuming my thoughts. I want to run away and wonder is this worth it? In the back of my head I keep hearing him repeat – carry the number for the Canadian embassy in your wallet, or on you at all times. Register your travel dates and location with the Canadian government. This Zambia Fellowship is a great opportunity, I tell myself over and over. My mantra. The ritual of getting the vaccines helps. I will control what I can control. One by one, I talk myself through the vaccines and remind myself I will be protected from disease. That is why we are traveling. Shot@Life raises awareness and advocates for global support for funding childhood vaccines that save lives. Typhoid vaccine in one arm and Twinrix for Hepatitis in the other. This adventure begins and ends with vaccines. [tweetthis]Shot@Life supports the UN raising awareness, & studying barriers 2 increase immunization rates globally #vaccineswork[/tweetthis] As a child I received my vaccines in a timely fashion, without any obstacles to care. My mother drove my brother and I to get vaccinated at the health unit, or the doctor’s office on schedule as recommended by the government in our province of Ontario. It was a part of childhood and growing up in Guelph, Ontario where health care is accessible and affordable. Should you forget the timelines for vaccines, the school or public health board will remind you with a note home. My Mom, a school teacher, would have been horrified to receive a note home indicating that she had missed getting us a vaccine. To the best of my recollection that never happened, even when my parents divorced and chaos ensued. Our health care never suffered. Our Canadian health care system, administered by each of the provinces separately means that we pay high taxes annually, but our health care is included in the taxes that we pay. Ontario residents are heavily taxed and so when people speak of free health care I balk and reframe. There is no such thing as free health care. Many in Canada also have private health care insurance to pay for things like medications and extra treatments not covered by the provincial health insurance plan. Make no mistake though this system works to keep people healthy. There is a simplicity involved here in receiving the regular childhood vaccines that are necessary for us to grow into healthy adults and taxpayers. As a child I had no clue that families in other areas of the world might not have access at all. They might not be able to afford vaccines. Perhaps they live in a rural area of the world where maintaining the cold supply essential to keep the vaccine in tact, requires incredible planning and health care policy infrastructure that is simply not available. Maybe getting to the clinic requires a lengthy walk with children. There are many obstacles to getting vaccinated in countries like Zambia. I am about to find out more on this Zambia fellowship learning trip. I will be ready physically to tell these important stories and to visit Zambia with this amazing team of journalists and UN advocates as long as I stick to the steps outlined in the travel brief. The anti-malarial drug starts two days before I enter Zambia. Mosquitoes are still a challenge to residents and tourists in many areas of the world. I have been reading and listening to TED talks about mosquitoes. Malaria treatment and management is an evolving area of study. This Zambia fellowship is a chance to tell some important stories about children and families. It is a great opportunity to grow and share what I learn. I am honoured and grateful. Impactful travel opportunities like this matter and leave a lasting footprint. Even though I am excited and nervous I know I will do this. The need to tell the stories and the power of this remarkable opportunity is driving me forward. Excitement and nervousness, I have learned, are really just flip sides of the same feeling. They travel hand in hand with risk and reward. Travel engages your mind and opens up new worlds and cultures. But, this Zambia fellowship began to impact my life the moment I received word that I was chosen to make the journey. One of the greatest rewards for me, when I embark on a learning trip like this one, is the way in which it alters the present and the future. Even before I board a plane, an impact travel experience changes the shape of my present. The moment I start considering the trip and the Zambia fellowship, I am reminded about my role in the world, the privileged position many North Americans are born into, and the things we take for granted. Impact travel gives me fresh perspective and that is a gift I strive to share with my family, friends and readers well before the trip begins, and long after an journey ends. I travelled with Shot@Life and the UN Foundation as a recipient of the Zambia Fellowship this October. I received transportation, accommodations, excursions, and meals while visiting Zambia. My opinion is my own and my stories are always truthful. This was a remarkable opportunity I am grateful to have received. This is the first in a series of stories about Shot@Life and my trip to Zambia. Stay tuned for more all this month. This post contains one affiliate link because I thought it would help readers who also wish to visit the area.

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