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Farewell Mtendere



Today was our last day at Mtendere church. After Alice’s surprise birthday breakfast complete with balloons and singing we departed our accommodation for our now familiar and scary drive through the markets to the church.


After devotion led by Diane, we had a surprise visit from the GB. They were making a presentation of Chitenges -a traditional piece of African material used as a skirt or used to make other clothing, to our whole team in return to our presentation to them yesterday.


Next was our cultural presentations. We started with Ireland’s call closely followed by ‘I’ll tell my ma when I get home’. Phil and Holly B did a repeat of their “ Singing the rain” dance from the Strictly fundraiser and the GB girls did a magnificent dance (eat your heart out Denise Henry) on an uneven concrete floor. The Zambians replied with a range of outstanding folk dances and a variety of games.


Next we headed out to the local market for materials to make traditional outfits . On this outing we were accompanied by locals to ensure that we were not overcharged.


Lunch was very interesting with a large spread of different traditional Zambian foods. The locals produced their specialities including caterpillars in cabbage! We brought a Shepherds Pie for them to try a taste of Ireland. They ate ours and we looked at theirs, before some brave souls samples some of the delicacies, Michael even finished his whole plate!


Next was a visit to some locals houses. After a 45 minute walk/trek over horrendous terrain, Holly B and Kenny came to a local home no bigger than a Carnreagh lounge . A widowed mother and 6 children lived in it . No seats, outside open cooking. We had to get a local bus back and as the only 2 white people for miles we were not missed. Back at the church we had a very emotional prayer as we said goodbye to our first hosts.


Alice’s birthday party was held at a local restaurant where the food was devoured in seconds after a really busy day in Mtendere. We even had to phone our driver to pick us up early as I think we ate the restaurant out of food. Back in our accommodation Alice’s party continued and hopefully will finish in time for tomorrow nights blog!!!!

(Kenny)























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