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.