Pray for Rain

Zambia has two seasons: rainy season (October-April) and dry season (April -October). This past year, the rainy season did not bring sufficient rain to last through the dry season. While I was there in June, they warned us to use the water sparingly because they expected to be out of water by July. While I was there, I watched them dig trenches in the dry ground to funnel water from one area to another when it ran out. While I was there, I stepped into the tub and pulled the curtain around for my every-other-day shower, just to realize the water had been shut off for x-hours in attempt to preserve the little water that was left. Now, 3 months later, there is no water.

Last week, the nursing and communication sciences and disorders programs came together at Harding University to raise awareness and funds in order to help those we came to love in Zambia. The lack of water has created a rippling effect of devastating consequences. Their livestock are dying because they have nothing to drink, the price of food has skyrocketed, and families are unable to afford the mealy meal used to make nshima. This has been going on for so long that people now are literally starving TO DEATH. Without their crops, the price of mealy meal to make nshima has increased so much that many are left unable to afford food for their families. I've heard that this is the worst drought they have seen in 4 decades.

The corruption in Zambia's government system is also playing a role in the current famine. I learned a week ago that the government is selling their own food to Zimbabwe. I'm assuming that those in Zimbabwe are able to pay more for the mealy meal and the government is taking advantage of it, abandoning its own people. 

There was one day towards the end of our time in Zambia where my group was invited to the village of Kasibi. Families traveled by foot, for who knows how long, to where we helped to hand out bags of mealy meal to families. It was a hot day, despite it being their "winter", but everyone waited their turn in the sun for food. After all of the mealy meal was dispersed, groups sang for us in appreciation.

Again, this was months ago. I've reached out to a few of the aunties at the Haven this past week to check in on them.They tell me there is no food and they worry about the babies who have left the Haven to go home to be with their families. At the Haven, they have additional help that allows them to provide formula and nutrition for the babies. Once they leave, they don't know if their families have access to food.

My heart breaks. 

To us, $12 doesn't seem like much. For those in Zambia, $12 will feed a family of 4 for a month!!! I wish I had this blog ready to post earlier in the week, but I am inviting anyone who feels they can give $12 to consider donating via Cash App to $KSwenson2 by tomorrow (9/16/19). All of the donations will be personally placed into the hands of the right people this coming week.

Above all, please pray for rain.