Teaching me!!!!!

Yesterday was Thursday African meal day. We had Sheema which is a corn meal made from corn and a root and cooked down. There is a reddish sauce that goes on top of the Sheema and it gives it its flavor. I liked it but I don’t think I could eat it everyday! Its definitely not like the food that I eat at home! Everything else we have ate has been excellent thus far! I worked with some of the toddlers this week in the morning and it’s interesting here in Zambia they do not really potty train like they do in America. Here they let the kids just pee in their clothes and then change them instead of making the children go on the potty. There is no structure or routine for these children, so it doesn’t surprise me that these children who are over 3 years old are not even close to being potty trained. Teaching and repeating is how most children learn and its sad that these children do not always get that attention and stimulation. So we will be trying to incorporate a routine within our language stimulation therapy. Yesterday afternoon I worked with a child named Kritz and he is nonverbal!!! I got him to say 3 words which were ball, rocks, and back!!!! I was so excited and happy with this progress. So hopefully today we will make some more progress!!! These children are teaching me so very many things! All children do teach us things in different ways but I am learning patience with most of these children. Patience to listen and wait, patience to talk and patience with progress. I am letting them teach me because I need these lessons. Today we had biscuits and gravy for breakfast and chicken and rice for lunch. The haven is about a mile and a half walk there! Great exercise! I am having a wonderful time spending time with all these children. Tomorrow we are going to Choma and will be shopping! I can’t wait to see what souvenirs I can bring back for everyone! Love to everyone!