Possible Collaborations in Higher Education

We had excellent meetings with the Zamise College (Zambia Institute for Special Education) and with the University of Zambia Faculty of Education, Department of Educational Psychology, Sociology of Education and Special Education. In both of these meetings we discussed possible collaborations between the University of Minnesota.

At Zamesi there is interest in using the College of Direct Support and identifying connections for special education textbooks and materials to send out to the special education programs throughout Zambia.

At the University of Zambia there was interest in a shared research agenda that would involve community organizations and perhaps a community intervention. Several faculty were present at this meeting and they expressed interest in working on projects that support teachers in working closer with family members and within communities. There was also interest in supporting students to conduct research and in reviewing and supporting these efforts. These faculty were also interested in connecting and collaborating with the Zambian leadership team.

All parties agreed to remain in contact via the internet and to look for concrete and specific ways to collaborate in the future.

Zambians Using College of Direct Support

It has been exciting for us to hear about how the College of Direct Support (CDS) has been used in the country of Zambia. Makela has been using the CDS and has completed two courses, Positive Behavior Support and Teaching Skills. She is a Principal at Bauleni and has reported using the information and skills that she has learned in the CDS courses to teach and develop the skills of her teachers at the boarding school and in her home based education program. She indicated, "I learned that when a child has behavior it could be because they are trying to communicate. That had never even entered my mind."

In addition to the use of CDS by the Zambian team members who attending the leadership training program in the United States, others are interested as well. The Lusaka Ministry of Education is likely going to set up a learning lab in their resource center so that teachers can access the College of Direct Support. Additionally, Zamise (Zambia Institute for Special Education) is interested in providing the College of Direct Support curriculum to the 120+ special education teachers that they graduate each year. Having learned about their
curriculum, it is evident that the College of Direct Support curriculum could be useful in many ways.

In a meeting earlier in the week we learned about the many needs that educators, families and policy makers have regarding disability services and issues in Zambia. These include working with families and support networks, basic values and attitudes toward people with disabilities, supporting children and adults with autism, working with children who have challenging behavior, transition and employment issues among many others. The CDS certainly contains much of this content.

We will follow up with our Zambian colleagues and begin registering new learners for the CDS as they are identified.

Zambia Training Plans

The team of researcher/trainers from the U.S. has developed a training program in collaboration with the Zambian team members. The training will be delivered in both Lusaka and Livingstone. Over 100 Zambian professionals, family members and advocates will attend the training. Currently we have planned to share stories of about people with disabilities we know and with whom we have special relationships, a focus on inclusion, creating valued social roles, rights and respect, the role of the church in changing attitudes and creating opportunities. We have planned an interactive approach to the training and will be working with Mikala and Sr. Nama to ensure the training we have planned is still relevant and appropriate. More later.

U.S. Team Returns to Zambia

The U.S. team from the University of Minnesota and Arc Greater Twin Cities are en route to Zambia. First we have stopped in South Africa and linked up with Mikala (Zambia team member) for an international conference on intellectual and developmental disabilities - IASSID. This has been a great conference and we have learned a lot, met new Zambians from Inclusion International who will join our work in Zambia and connected with a group of researchers who are interested in collaborative partnerships. Mikala presented a research paper at the conference and she was very well received and respected for the amazing work she is doing at Belani Street Kids.

In addition to the conference in South Africa, we are having some fun and doing some sight seeing. Amy has a friend in South Africa who has been a wonderful asset and tour guide for all of us. Our colleagues Lori and Beth experienced a close up encounter with a baboon who decided to leap into their laps while they were driving on the Cape. Our colleague Derek summed it up, "Yikes and hilarious." We also visited the penguins and have a beautiful view of table mountain from the inn where we are staying. Amy was excited to experience 10 rainbow sightings in one day (yes they were different rainbows and she has pictures as proof).

Kristin, Beth, Lori and Liz leave for Zambia Friday morning. Amy leaves Saturday morning. We are very excited to get to Zambia again. Our work there will be interrupted because of the funeral of the Zambian president. It will be an interesting time to be in Zambia. More later.

Opportunity Partners

Wednesday, April 9, 2008
The group arrived at Opportunity Partners in Minnetonka to learn more about vocational and residential services for people with disabilities. Opportunity Partners Job Developer Deborah Lawrence, who traveled to Zambia 10 years ago to help teach the deaf, connected with the group about her experience in Zambia and offered suggestions for grassroots job training. They also heard from guest Ruth Murphy, Executive Director of the Community Design Center for Minnesota, who shared her success in implementing gardening projects with immigrants in Minnesota. The group also toured Opportunity Partners’ production facility to see examples of work being done here, and heard presentations on residential services and programs for youth. After a pizza lunch, the group visited two other Opportunity Partners locations: a work site and a group home, both in Bloomington. It was a full day of learning and exchanging ideas!

Zambian Team Attends University Class

As a component of the leadership training program the Zambian Team members had the opportunity to attend one of the course sessions of the certificate in disability policy and practice offered by the Institute on Community Integration and the University of Minnesota. The topic for the class session that evening was on transition and the State Transition specialist, Jayne Spain was a guest lecturer. Prior to class the team attended a discussion forum for Graduate students at the Institute on Community Integration. This was an opportunity for them to see how post-secondary educational programs operate and what types of programs are available to students and the general public related to disability policy and practice.

Zambia Training Program Goes to the Capitol

Thanks to Arc Greater Twin Cities and their excellent policy advocates, the Zambians got to participate in the policy advocacy efforts first hand. They went to the State Capitol and learned how various organizations in Minnesota work together to address public policy for individuals with disabilities. They also got to meet elected and appointed officials and see the legislative process in action.

It Snowed In Minnesota - Just For the Zambian Team

April in Minnesota is good for at least one or two final snows. While most Minnesotans were highly discouraged and down right grumpy about the eight inches we got early in the week, there were at least nine people in the state that enjoyed it. For many of the Zambian team members it was the first time that they had ever even seen snow, let alone danced and played in it. If it has to snow in April in Minnesota then the training team was surely glad that it snowed for the Zambians!

Zambian Team Gets Artistic

One important component of the training program the Zambian team is experiencing is to relate concepts and theories to real lives and real services. One aspect of the training program has been on inclusion and the importance of relationships and recreation in people's lives.

The Zambian team had many experiences during their first week of training to see how people with disabilities who are artists have opportunities to express and use their talents for fun, enjoyment and for paid work. Early in the week the team went to Dreamland Arts and learned about their inclusionary theater opportunities for children of all abilities.

One evening the group got to go to St. Stephens Parish and "do art" with a number of adults with disabilities. This is a program sponsored by St. Stephens and is open to people of all abilities. The Zambian team members enjoyed the opportunity to interact and to create art with the people they met there.

Another artistic experience for the Zambian team was to visit Interact theater and meet the artists during their training and work experiences. On Saturday they also got to attend an Interact theater production entitled, "Broken Brain Summit." After the production the Zambian team members had an opportunity to talk with the cast members about their performance and their lives as actors with disabilities.

Zambian Team Members Prepare for Minnesota Weather

After a day of recovering from jet lag, the Zambian team prepared for Minnesota's weather by doing a little shopping at Arc's Value Village. Many bought warm coats and winter boots. The Arc Greater Twin Cities donated gift certificates to each team member.

During the welcome on Friday night at Mary and Mike's River Dance Ranch, Sister Joyce mentioned that she had never been horseback riding. So, on Sunday afternoon the entire Zambian team got the opportunity to horseback ride. This is a photo of Sister Joyce on her horse. Everyone had a good time and enjoyed their new experience.

After horseback riding it was time to get some sleep and prepare for their two week intensive leadership training program on disability policy and practice. On Monday everyone would meet their host families and begin their training.

Zambia Priests Catch Up With Friend

Fathers Patrick and Deo, Brother Joseph and Billy Beddor had a chance to catch up with their friend and professor, Fr Jude Rochford who has been in Zambia for over 40 years! Fr Jude is recovering from health issues at St Gertrudes in Shokapee, MN. It was a wonderful time for them to see one another again and talk about familiar people and places.

Welcome Celebration

On Friday evening many of the host families, partner staff and the Zambian team members were welcomed at River Dance Ranch, hosted by Mary and Mike Meuwissen. It was a wonderful time to get to know one another and talk about the purpose and excitement around the project. The Zambian team shared about their work at home in Zambia and showed everyone a clip from a video about their country. Guests were treated to drumming and singing presented by the Zambian team. Music is clearly the universal language as the children who were at the event were totally focused and engaged in the music.

Thanks so much to Mary and Mike for hosting such a generous and fun evening.

The Zambian Team Arrived Safely

Welcome to Minnesota and the United States! Everyone on the training team is so pleased that you arrived safely. We look forward to seeing you tomorrow night and beginning our leadership training in disability services and policy on Monday. We have worked hard to bring together many people from many organizations to share and learn together with you while you are in Minnesota. Rest, recover from jet lag and get ready to enjoy your trip and all of the experiences we will have together. - Amy Hewitt

"The Zambian Team in MN"

Meet the Zambian Team

The Zambian team will be arriving in the United States the end of March. Their training program will begin March 31st and run through April 12th. We thought it would be great for you to begin to match faces with names and experiences. Here are your Zambian colleagues:

NAMA

1.When I come to the States I would like to be called by my original name Namangolwa or simply Nama.
2. I come from a family of 18 six girls and 12 boys and am 10th. Non of my brothers or sisters have Special needs but we do have one boy from my extended family who is deaf/dumb/mentally retarded.He is a son of my first cousin and his name is Hector..
3.The most difficult part of having him in the family is lack of proper communication skills with him within the family aswell as among the community.Sometimes one just feels helpless in trying to give him the best out of society so as to make him more independent and accepted since he is laughed at and teased so much by most people when they meet him alone.This has really been heart breaking.
4. The best thing about having Hector is that he has taught me and some other family members to be more patient in life childlike trust. He has also taught me never to take life for granted but always thank the Lord for making me whole thus thank him at all times.This implies that I should give the best service of my ability to the people I live with, work with and have committed my life service to.
5. My highest level of education is Diploma in Special Education at Zambia Institute of Special Education in Lusaka.
6. I have been outside Zambia and was Ireland for a month.
7. Am very open to this training we are coming to and have my attitude is to let God take charge or be in control of whatever is to come. As the saying goes "Let go and let God" At the same time I feel it will be a challenging training busy time of hard work and some fun of course. We will also build strong family bonds among ourselves and between our two countries.
8.While in MN I would like to learn; a) How the people there are able to make life easier for children with learning disabilities; b) Culture of the people, thus its effect towards children with special needs; c) What the country "government" is doing for these children with special education needs in short the support it renders to them.
9. I have no major fears about this journey but hope to meet friendly people and come
back safety home.

MIKALA
While in States I would like to be called Mikala.

I had my uncle who was blind and his daughter was both Hearing Impaired and Intellectually disabled.

The most difficult part is that here in Zambia service provisions of children with multiple disabilities and also with Intellectually disabled lack the necessary programmes and people don't seem to have a know how on the programmes and parental support services are not there.

The best thing is that you learn a lot while you are trying to help through try and error and you also learn to be patient.

I am a Special Education Teacher with a degree in Special Education obtained from the University of Zambia.

I have been outside Zambia to England and France for a week in each country.

I expect to observe and learn from what I will be exposed to at the same time I would also like to share what I know with the people there.

The three things I would like to learn about is advocacy concerning children with Special Needs. How to work with autistic children and the outreach programmes conducted but I would also be interested in whatever is there so that we adapt the programmes to our Zambian situation upon coming back.

I dont fear anything may be missing the terminals but i will be among other people so that is dealt with. The phota attachment will come later.

God bless,
Mikala

PATRICK

This is Fr. Patrick Chisanga, ofm conv.- better simply called Patrick.

We were born 11 in my family; we’ve since lost 5 and were now 6, that is one sister- a religious nun (Franciscan) and 5 guys. Lost dad almost 5 years now- he was 72. I can simply describe my family as a happy, united and religious one. We have an adopted sister, Gift (34), a single mother, living on her own with her kid. I’m not aware of any member of my family with special needs.

I was ordained priest in 1999 and served as parish priest for 2 years plus a year as formator (trainer of future priest) before going to Rome for specialised studies in clinical psychology (masters) at the Gregorian University. I returned home in August 2006 and have since returned to formation work and assistant pastor.

People with special needs are a reality we encounter regularly in our ministry in parishes as priests. My main expectations as I come to the training program is to learn more about this reality, especially with regard to the mentally challenged persons, and how such can be integrated in our parish communities. I hope to come back and share with the young men preparing to become priests and sensitise them about the pastoral care to person with special needs. I also look forward to meeting different people, the inter-cultural exchange and enrichment as well as the fun.

A bit worrying still after clearing the hurdle of visas: the looong trip, different time zone and weather? hope not too harsh. However, looking forward to the experience.

AGNES
Greetings!
1.The name to be used while there is Sr. Agnes.
2.We are three (3) in the family
- My mother of late had a stroke and is now finding it difficult to move about and she is undergoing physiotherapy.
3.Though it has been a month ago the most difficult thing is to go to the hospital for physiotherapy and also collecting drugs.
4.It has been very difficult but at the same time has made us close to her and want to find solutions to help her to be independent once more.
5. I am a grade 12 and a Zambia Enrolled Nurse.
6. I have been outside the country before
- Rome Asisi for one month
- Kenya for 6 weeks
-Malawi for 3 weeks
Swaziland for 2 weeks
-Tanzania for one week
7. Expectations-
To learn more about children with special needs and how to find ways of improving there lives and see them live better lives
8. (a) How to help the family be involved in the program of rehabilitation
(b)To find means and ways for the children who a growing and need a skill for there livelyhood
(c) How to get the community be involved to give their services freely and improve the lives of the Children with Special Needs.
9. My biggest fear is the weather how cold is it?

JOYCE
1. Sr. Joyce Phiri

2. in my family one niece and one of my religious sisters are with special needs

3. to misinterprete their needs

4. they keep me in check to see that I include them in my life. I have to make a decision and an effort to do this.

5. certificate in General Nursing at the Nursing School

6. I have been to Italy, Assisi for 4 weels and Kenya for 11 days

7.to learn how to go about people with special needs and how to influence change in their lives and influence the community to accommodate them.

8. a) how to advocate for people with special needs

b) how to influence policy makers
c) in case of change, (we religious are often on transfer) how to start in a new place
9. missing due to illness like malaria.
DEO










1. l want to be called Deo
2. no one in the family with special needs
3. not applicable but it is a sad experience. l witnessed that when l worked at Cheshire homes
4. you come to know the mystery of life. They are also human beings like us
5. Bachelor of arts at St. Dominics major seminaery affiliated to Urbanian University - Rome
6. no!
7. you come to know more about them better
8. a) the difficulties they go through
b)how can l help them
c)to change the mentality of people
9. the place and new people


GRACE
l have been to Japan for a short training and to the UK to visit my sisters. there are three sisters and five brothers in my family my daddy passed on but my mum is still alive.I have four children one girl and three boys married my husband is pursuing his Phd in Manchester. Two of my boys completed grade twelve daughter is doing her last grade and my last son is in grade
nine.their age range is 15 to 22.One of my sisters who is in the UK has a son who has speech and hearing problems it took time for her to accept but with my help she accepted and the child is in one of the special education schools in the UK. My mum lives on a farm.last year l lost my Grandma who was 79 years old.I like traveling, reading and writing.

ALICE

I would like to be called by my first name "Alice".I come from a big family of thirteen siblings.I have five children and my youngest Namposhya (known as poshya) is a special needs child.

The most difficult part of having a child with special needs is the lack of general information and advice on the best way to help my child achieve her full potential despite her disability.This has resulted in feelings of frustrations.

Having a child with disabilities has enriched my life through working with other children with special needs, which has helped me understand poshyas difficulties.

As for my education I did a three year diploma in Agriculture business management in Zambia and a diploma in business studies in the U.K.

Yes I have been out of Zambia.I have traveled to the U.K,Italy,U.S.A as well as most central and Southern African countries.

I hope to learn as much as possible from your experiences in working with special needs,so that we can also be empowered to advocate,take control and make life as rich and fulfilling as possible.

The three things I would like to learn while there are-

1.Advocacy-The best strategy to use in order to advocate for improved public as well as government awareness.To promote the implementation of all legal rights for persons with disabilities to ensure equal opportunities.
2.Empowering-the care unit and their children.
3.How to monitor and evaluate specific interventions.

Finally I have no fears but will put everything in Gods hands and pray for a safe journey and a fruitful stay.

JOSEPH

1. To be called Joseph
2. 6 (2 brothers and 4 step sisters)
3. I have an auntie with special needs. Taking care of her, seeing her going through pain, to find time to be with her.
4. It teaches patience, it reminds meof my own fragility as a person, it challenges me of how to handle my own needs and those of others
5. Grade 12. Doploma obtained at St Boniventure College in Lusaka
6. yes I have
England 1.5 years
Italy 2 weeks
Poland 2 weeks
Kenya 2 weeks
Tanzania 2 weeks
South Africa 2 weeks
Ireland 3 weeks

7. I expect to learn practical ways of dealing with people with special needs. I need the KNOW HOW
8. 1. Relationships with people in general, 2, Relationships with people who are with special needs and 3, How to be efficient in my work and how to plan and how to make my plans succeed.
9. My fear is I don't know how I will cope with my work for I am ignorant of your computer world! And how I shall cope with the people I will work with.

Preparing for the Zambian Team

Representatives from Arc GTC, Fraser, Opportunity Partners, St. David's Children's Program, and the Institute on Community Integration met today to discuss and plan for the upcoming training of the Zambian Team. Dates that the team will be in the United States are March 28 to April 11. the training schedule is coming together for the formal training they will receive. Topics will include (but are not limited to): history of disability in the U.S. and Minnesota, core values of services in the U.S (valued social roles, social justice, empowerment, inclusion), overview of management and fundraising in non-profit organizations, employment and residential service, special education and early intervention, faith based initiatives and the role of church in service development and delivery, disability and arts, children with special health care needs, and autism.

The basic training methodology will include a combination of lecture, discussion and on-line training each morning that is focused on a specific topic. Each afternoon the group will then complete site visits that assist then in applying the information they learned each morning with the real world application in the afternoon. In the evenings participants will spend time at disability cultural events, civic events, organizational and parent events as well as learning about what typical American families do in the evenings.

Each partnering organization is now seeking volunteers to serve as host families for one or two members of the Zambian team.

More to come. Amy

Reflections on Zambian Trip

I have been home now and in the hustle and bustle of life here in the U.S. for nearly two weeks now. Not yet fully unpacked nor organized and caught up from having been gone. Yet, definitely back into the swing of work, home and American politics!

It is sometimes hard to reconcile the need I saw from every aspect of life in Zambia with the privilege we all have in the U.S. We talk about poverty and we talk about need but it nearly trivial when compared to a country like Zambia.

This weekend I had an opportunity (thanks Sandy!) to attend the Arc GTC Arcacdemy gala. It was a lot of fun and a huge success. Many people at that event were asking me about Zambia and I thought to myself that just with the money I spent on my outfit and my husbands suit we could have rented a building for the Hidden Voices School for nearly 12 months. If you took all of the money spent and raised at that event it is nearly unimaginable how far it would go in the right hands in Zambia. I am not at all saying we should stop having galas or that we should stop spending money - I am merely pointing out that there is much human perspective to consider when you think about the resources we have at our fingertips in this country.

I have also been thinking a lot about the intellectual capital we have. We take this for granted I think in the U.S. The number of people in the U.S. with and without disabilities who have become experts on this topic is amazing. This knowledge is so needed and so valued in Zambia. To give you perspective, I spent a lot of time with young men who were studying to become priests. They were working on degrees in philosophy, accounting many areas. They had no access to an on line library system. Imagine your children, yourself or your grandchildren going to college today and not having access to a complete on-line library system. For us, this is unimaginable. For most Zambians in college having limited access to library resources is the norm.

The children in the picture above go to school in a freight container that has had some windows cut into it. You can only imagine how hot it was. But, each of these children were pleased to have a school to attend. They walked for distances of over miles to get to and from school each day. Teachers had chalk boards and chalk. Children had small notebooks on which they wrote on every square inch of paper. Children with physical disabilities more often then not used adult wheelchairs and/or adult crutches that had been cut off. Custom fit - not on the radar of experiences for nearly all of the children I met.

We are a rich nation. We are have so much at our finger tips. Do we all really know, appreciate and understand this? - Amy

An Excellent Adventure in Zambia

Wow! What a wonderful trip traveling with Amy Hewitt and with Beth Metzler. I cannot imagine accomplishing all that was accomplished without the enormous help and technical assistance from both.

I have traveled to Zambia a few times during the past 3 years. Each time I learn so much. Each time something never changes and that is the heart of the Zambian people. This has not changed. It amazes me the capacity of the Zambian people to welcome strangers, to be hospitable, and to genuinely want to get to know us. In this picture Amy is learning how to eat Nshima (national food) with one of the seminary students at a friary we were welcomed at.

One of our most promising visits was to Bouleni, a residential and day school which has classrooms for both special needs and children without disabilities. This is a classroom with autistic children. In just a few minutes, Beth worked with one of the boys with jumping up and down and helping the child to focus more on the tasks at hand. In this school, there were many more toys and therapeutic equipment than anywhere we saw previously.

As Amy and I work our way back to the freezing temperatures of Minnesota and Colorado, I can hardly wait to move forward with our new friends. We have so much to learn from each other and to discover different approaches and how cultures impact our learning.

Sandy Beddor

Zambian Team Forms

The Zambian team came together yesterday in Lusaka for an initial meeting regarding the Disability Partnership. Sisters, Priests, Family Advocates and Disability Professionals were all in attendance. It was the first time that many of them had ever been together in the same room and the first time they had learned of the important work one another did. There were 12 people in attendance from all over the country.

Each team member shared their story about how they got into disability services and about their work and personal experiences in working with people with disabilities. many shared that they had family members with disabilities.

The team includes individuals who provide in home family support, parent-to-parent networking and support, special education, skill training and also government officials involved in disability policy work and special education.

Sandy did a few team building exercises with the Zambian team and they began to meld as a team. They will meet a few times together in person before they arrive in the United States. We gathered names adn contact information and one of the members agreed to facilitate this meeting and do the logistical coordination.

This initial meeting was very helpful to me as I think about pulling together proposals for funding and the training program for the Zambian team. I was able to get ideas about priorities and more importantly have greater understanding about many aspects of supports to Zambians with disabilities that I want them to share with the U.S. team. I have also been able to visit and interact with staff from most of the programs they represent.

Once we have returned to the states we can share photos with you and profiles of each of the Zambian team members and the services they provide to people with disabilities.

I leave tomorrow morning and return on Sunday to Minnesota. I am not sure where the time has gone and there is so much more to see and do in this country. I have had a life changing experience.

See you all very soon. More later. Amy

EDPA 5356 Students

EDPA 5356 Students

Hello from Zambia. I am so sorry to miss our first class of the semester but you are in excellent hands with Marijo and Maggie.

Have any of you traveled to Zambia before? I will be curious to talk with you about your African experiences when I am in class next week.

If you read this “blog” you will begin to hear about some of my experiences and travels over here. I have been unable to put into words much of what I have been thinking about as I observe and experience what this trip has offered me. I have now had a chance to see and observe many programs for people with disabilities. I am struck at what best practice means here and what it means in the US and how these compare. More importantly thinking about why these differences exist and what the similarities are is critical.

I am invigorated by the opportunity to host a group of disability professionals from Zambia in April in the US. I am hoping they will all be able to join one of our Thursday evening classes as a part of their training. Enjoy your first class and I will see you next week.

Amy

Arc GTC Board Meeting

Hi Everyone,

I tried to post this yesterday before the Board meeting. I had it all written and when I was ready to hit "send" the power went out. for the last 4 evenings the power has been out in the entire country. Anyhow, after the fact, here are some comments intended for the Board meeting:

Hello from Africa

Sorry to miss the Board meeting but Kim has me on assignment in Zambia. I truly wish that you were all here too because the only way you can understand the need and the relevance to our work is to be here and see and feel what I have had the opportunity to experience over the past many days.

I had hoped to upload a lot more photos and perhaps video but the internet connection here is fragmented at best and extremely slow – though high speed for Zambians. I promise to prepare a short slide show for you to watch at an upcoming BOD meeting.

I can tell you that the hard work of the Arc and its leadership over the years has truly paid off for persons with disabilities in our country. We have made remarkable progress over the years. Yet, the reality of services in the US and the many frustrations we all feel over them and discuss at Board meetings is simply irrelevant in the Zambian context. These children and adults merely want an opportunity to exist, to be fed, to have a place to call home and to be seen as a person. Any child in Zambia is thrilled by the opportunity to be educated and only a few children with disabilities have these opportunities. The schools and services I have seen are institutions, mostly residential schools. The children receive some education (but they only have teachers if the government recognizes the school and assigns teachers).

We certainly worry about the many things in the US that are simply not issues here in Zambia – liability, litigation, regulations, supervision, qualifications. Yet we both seem to worry about funding……. This is ironic to me and I am having a hard time reconciling it in my mind and heart. The enormous wealth of the US and we still never feel we have enough money.

I am recognizing each day that there are many lessons we can learn from the Zambians. The church as the “community” for Zambian people is essential. Church communities and extended families take care of the needs of their family members. The Zambian missionaries and lay people that are serving others seem to recognize the risk of entitlements and how often entitlements can create unnecessary dependency. Interdependence among families, extended families and among the children with and without disabilities has been ever-present in every situation I have observed and experienced.

Amy

Copperbelt Services

We drove up to the Copperbelt area on Monday and will spend Monday and Tuesday here touring and visiting with the few disability programs in this area. Yesterday while Sandy was at Mission Press I went to visit three programs. One was what they call a "hostel" for about 6 women with disabilities who are able to "support themselves" by making goods and selling them. Another program was a residential school for young adults ages 15 - 30 and then the third was a program for children, again a residential school.

One woman I met, Helen, who was selling chips and sweets at a stand outside her house asked me, "How do people with disabilities live in America?" I was stumbling to answer that. Because, if I were in the US I would answer it differently then in the context of how this woman was living in Africa. She has challenged me to think about the cultural relevance of services and the context. As we think about the training for the Zambian team it will be important to challenge the way we think about disability services in the US.

I have been heartstruck by the way in which children and adults with disabilities live in Zambia. You have to think about the worst of possible services in the US 30 years ago and that is best practice here now. There is hope but there is little money and no empowerment of people with disabilities.

Our work together is hope for the future. More later.

Amy

Cawama

Today is Sunday and we we went to Catholic Mass in Cawama. Cawama is a "compound" community outside of Lusaka. The priests, friers and sisters are in charge of the church and then also work in missions; some of which help children with disabilities. 5000 families are served by this one catholic church. There was not an empty seat in the church and people were lined up. the choir was amazingly beautiful.

One of the priests that runs this church is perhaps one of the Zambians that will be identified to be on a team to come to the U.S. this Spring. It was good to meet him and we are stying at the friery this evening so I will get to talk with him more and with his students about the disability services and what they see as their biggest needs.

Tomorrow we head up to the Copperbelt area to meet with a number of people there who are working with children and adults with disabilities. It will be good to see their programs and what they are trying to do.

Sandy's cousin Beth left today. She works at St. David's and was with Sandy all last week doing interviews and trying to identify people from Zambia who are interested in joining a team to evolve advocacy leadership among the many missionaries and family members in Zambia. After observations and interviews in the Copperbelt on Monday and Tuesday we will then host a pre-meeting on Wednesday and a more formal meeting on Thursday with possible team members to learn more about what they see as their needs and their ideas about how a mutual exchange program and leadership training could support their needs.

Look for posts from Beth and Sandy soon. More later - Amy

Cheshire Home for Children With Disabilities

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My first visit to a program was at Cheshire Homes in Livingston, Zambia. This program is designed to serve children with physical and intellectual disabilities. They provide special education to about 20 children (although it is difficult to understand the number because they do not keep accurate records) and physical therapy to about 60 children. These children are dropped off and only served during the day - there is an emphasis of keeping them connected with their families. The children attend school only M - W. On Thursday and Friday the workers (Sisters) follow the children to their homes to see how their families are doing. Cheshire Home also serves children out in their communities.

When they talk of services you have to think of it in a totally different way then you think of it in the U.S or at Arc GTC, Opportunity Partners, Fraser and St. David's Child Development and Family Services. My impression is that services usually means feeding programs (giving these children food to eat) and physical therapy and some very basic education. One of these photos illustrates what the therapy room looks like. Supplies are seriously lacking. They have a new building and are going to have two trained special education teachers assigned from the "Zambian Ministry of Education" which means these two teachers will receive a minimal salary for teaching (most special education teachers are untrained and volunteers). The new building will have two rooms for special education. Sustainability is an issue for all of these programs. This program raises chickens and has a guest house that they are trying to rent out to obtain resource to provide their services.

The more I see and the more I learn the more I think that empowering some Zambians who are enthusiastic and committed to helping people with disabilities to learn and develop is a very worthy and much needed effort. I also wish that every CEO who has ever complained about not having enough money (I mean this in the best of ways) and every Direct Support Professional who works with people with disabilities and has African immigrants as co-workers could see and experience the little that I have so far. More to come later - Amy

Arrived in Lusaka and off to Livingston

I arrived safely in Zambia as planned a few hours late due to weather in London. Sandy Beddor was at the airport waiting for me just as promised. Lusaka was much smaller and far more remote then I had anticipated. The man behind me on the plane was asking where the radio tower was at the airport. I have never landed at such a small airport.

I had just enough time to get to the guest house at the Italian Orthopedic Hospital which is managed by the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi. Sandy and Beth had stayed there overnight and I was able to shower and get a cup of coffee and then we headed back to the airport to go to Livingston. The children and adults in Zambia come to this hospital for physical therapy and for orthopedic surgery - it looks nothing like an American hospital or even clinic. Very primitive.

While in Livingston we were able to see the Victoria Falls (one of the seven natural wonders of the world) and went on a river boat on the Zambezi River where we saw hippos, giraffe and crocs. We also walked to the Victoria Falls and then down the gorge so we could be on the Zambezi River by the Falls. Brad would have found the trek down and up adventuresome. Sandy talked me into going on an ultralight that day too!!!! Kim watch out - there is A LOT of Sandy's type of adventure in Zambia! we also were able to go to a few markets and get an understanding of the community and the role of the many missions and the various sisters.

This was a time to get settled and get over jet lag. Sandy said is was to be the only "fun time." The work began the following day for me. - More later, Amy

About Zambia

Victoria Falls

This post is designed to give you an overview of information about the country of Zambia so that you have an idea of the demographics of this country. Zambia has approximately 12 million people; 7 million of these people are under the age of 12. while children and adults with disabilities depend on extended family, extended family between the ages of 30 - 50 are not typically available to most of the country's children. The most common cause of death for Zambians is Malaria and then HIV/AIDS. It is not known how many children and adults with disabilities live in Zambia and there are no systemic services to support these individuals.

Zambia is one of the poorest countries in the world (usually in the bottom 5 - 10 countries) and is dependent on outside assistance from other countries for sustainability. It is one of the most stable countries in Africa and is considered a democratic country.

Twin Cities Zambia Disability Connection - Purpose

Arc Greater Twin Cities, Opportunity Partners, Fraser and the Institute on Community Integration at the University of Minnesota have joined with advocate, Sandy Beddor, to explore a possible development project with advocates, educators, missionaries and government officials in the country of Zambia, Africa regarding children and adults with disabilities. This project will build on a leadership training program developed by Sandy Beddor to train non-governmental organization employees in Zambia. However, the focus and purpose of this project will be the preferences and needs of children and adults with disabilities and their families.

The leadership model currently being explored involves identifying a group of partners in the United States and a group of partners from Zambia and promoting a cultural and professional exchange. Arc Greater Twin Cities, Fraser, Opportunity Partners and the Institute on Community Integration are working together to pull together the U.S team. Amy Hewitt from the Institute on Community Integration and Sandy Beddor will be spending time in Zambia in January 2008 to meet with various possible partners, listen to their needs and preferences and then to identify a potential team to travel to Minnesota and the U.S. sometime in 2008 on a learning and leadership exchange.

This blog has been developed to provide information, visual illustration and exchange between the potential partners in both the United States and Zambia. Amy Hewitt and Sandy Beddor will provide information and commentary on their travel to Zambia beginning in mid January 2008.