There was an entire area of the upper floor dedicated to the prehistory of mankind. They had several skull replicas from those found all across Africa. The Australopithecus to the Homo Sapiens, all of the evolutionary evidence was found in Africa - one of the final stages found in Kabwe, Zambia.
I found the information about the tribal migrations and how they were influenced by colonialism fascinating. I love drawing parallels with the history of the Americas and Africa. Only, North America was
lucky enough to slough off Colonial rule by 1800 and the South American and African continents were unable to emerge completely independent until sometime in the 1900s.
The last exhibit we were taken to was a paper mâché bus with several "people" aboard, some dressed in red and others in other colors. The bus was constructed in 1980 to represent the HIV virus in Zambia, which affects 1 in 4 adults here. There was a "story" that went along with the bus had something about the bus driver being HIV positive and married but with 2 girlfriends. The guy on the second row is one of his girlfriends boyfriend - who is now one of the bus drivers sexual "relatives" even though they have never met. Apparently this was a common occurrence in Zambia culture and was his the virus spread so rampantly before education. The statistics on HIV now are somewhere between 12-17% (depending on where you go for the info).
We returned home to a lunch of grilled cheese sandwiches (yum) and waited for our 5th graders to arrive for craft time. When their bus arrived, there were just 14 of them. We were able to really give
hands on attention to them and learn a few of their names, which was fantastic.
After crafts, we took them outside and played Ultimate Duck Duck Goose. Only a few of them had played this game in the past, but they caught on quickly and even the teachers played with us. By the end of the game, we were winded and happy, giggling with the kids.
During the later afternoon, Matilda and Precious came to talk to us about the children that are housed at House of Moses and what their homelife and families are like. And about the Milk and Medicine program run by CACZ (Christian Alliance for Children in Zambia). It was a tough afternoon, learning that these children had been "dumped" (their word for abandoned) or that their moms were either mentally ill or dead with no family able to take in their children.
I know it is almost ridiculous to be surprised to hear these stories when all these babies live here, but hearing that the sweet sweet baby that I have totally fallen in love with upstairs mom's dead... well, it just breaks my heart all over again that this beautiful happy baby is alone in the world.
The mission of CACZ provides the space for these babies and toddlers have a loving and caring environment and provides food and vitamins (for children ages infant to 5) 100+ families a month to
guarantee those babies grow up strong.
It has been a tough day on my heart and I'm certain its not the last. My blessings are endless and I am so grateful to have brought my children here.