Ron arrived at George School with this morning’s milk delivery, and quickly jumped out of the truck, because he couldn’t believe what he was seeing. One of the older boys was shaving the head of one of the younger boys. There was an eight year-old with a little bit of soap on his head and twelve year-old with a double edged razor shaving the hair off his head. He knew just how to hold the razor, making long, clean passes along the scalp of the little one. The younger boy never uttered a sound, but stood in complete silence, not moving a muscle. There were no nicks or cuts (on either boy) and a big pile of hair lay on the ground when he was done. Would you give a twelve year-old a razor? The double edge razor is also what is commonly used to sharpen pencils. I have watched horrified as children as small as five or six pull a razor out of their pocket and carefully, and quickly sharpen their pencils. Amazing!
Foster and I spent much of our time today in traffic jams! Now this isn’t something you see every day in Zambia! We were on our way to the warehouse, and as we crossed the small bridge just outside of town, we saw a huge group of people standing beside the road ahead. As we got closer, we could see there were police officers and hundreds of people lining the street. So, of course we stopped to ask what the excitement was all about. There was a truck passing through from South Africa which was transporting mine equipment. The truck has twenty axles, travels only 20 kilometers per hour, and is pulled from the front and pushed from behind. Everyone had come out to see this amazing site. We however, saw nothing but bumpers. When we finished at the warehouse, traffic was at a near stand-still due to the slow moving procession. They said there are people in the front who cut any electrical wires that are in the way, and then people in the back who repair them. They also remove and replace signs, and any other obstacles as they travel to the mine. After nearly one hour we made it back to town, made a few stops, and then headed for George. Unfortunately the truck was now in town, and traffic was again a terrific mess. We detoured unsuccessfully, and ended up in another hour delay, as cars attempted to drive anywhere they possibly could. There just aren’t that many roads here. The road suddenly had four lanes where previously there were only two, and people were driving over lawns and fields attempting to make some headway. Once again, there were hoards of people standing anywhere they could to view this spectacle. And, once again we missed it.
Progress has slowed at the project site again as we wait for water. The well-digger should come tomorrow to determine what the problem is. He has been unavailable due to the death of his child. One more reminder of the frailty of life here.
Foster and I spent much of our time today in traffic jams! Now this isn’t something you see every day in Zambia! We were on our way to the warehouse, and as we crossed the small bridge just outside of town, we saw a huge group of people standing beside the road ahead. As we got closer, we could see there were police officers and hundreds of people lining the street. So, of course we stopped to ask what the excitement was all about. There was a truck passing through from South Africa which was transporting mine equipment. The truck has twenty axles, travels only 20 kilometers per hour, and is pulled from the front and pushed from behind. Everyone had come out to see this amazing site. We however, saw nothing but bumpers. When we finished at the warehouse, traffic was at a near stand-still due to the slow moving procession. They said there are people in the front who cut any electrical wires that are in the way, and then people in the back who repair them. They also remove and replace signs, and any other obstacles as they travel to the mine. After nearly one hour we made it back to town, made a few stops, and then headed for George. Unfortunately the truck was now in town, and traffic was again a terrific mess. We detoured unsuccessfully, and ended up in another hour delay, as cars attempted to drive anywhere they possibly could. There just aren’t that many roads here. The road suddenly had four lanes where previously there were only two, and people were driving over lawns and fields attempting to make some headway. Once again, there were hoards of people standing anywhere they could to view this spectacle. And, once again we missed it.
Progress has slowed at the project site again as we wait for water. The well-digger should come tomorrow to determine what the problem is. He has been unavailable due to the death of his child. One more reminder of the frailty of life here.
1 comment:
dear mary sue, i cant get this darn computer to take my messages to you for the last 5 days. so here i go again. the stories are great, the kid with the razor is quite handy but it is a little scary. thank you for your diligence in writing each and every day. by the way did you get toms email? miss you and love you, your son and moon sister
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