It's bitter sweet to think that today is the last full day we will be seeing the beautiful, smiling faces of the people of Zambia. Our final visit was to a primary school where we delivered 600 backpack, packed and donated by Highland's Church in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Initially we were brought into one of the classrooms to hear from the student WASH Club, where students discussed how they advocate for the importance of water, sanitation and hygiene. They welcomed us with two songs. The second song was catchy and stuck in our heads: "If your happy and you know it, wash your hands! Washie Washie!" and they would simulate a hand washing gesture.
The students of the WASH Club expressed how they maintain proper sanitation and hygiene on school grounds, coordinating bathroom upkeep and sanitation around the school well. Many of them expressed that they take these practices back home to their families, encouraging their parents and siblings to wash their hands. Some students even built their own tippy-tap hand washing station for their family.
Following our welcome, we were escorted around the school grounds by students and teachers, shown the brand new latrines built by World Vision, and several under construction to be completed this year. The students demonstrated the tippy-tap, showing how it was built and allowing Amanda to use it. We observed their bore hole well, very similar to those we had seen during the village dedications.
Finally, we made our way to the open field in front of the school. 30 large cardboard boxes, stuffed to the brim with various colored backpacks were arranged on the field. The children lined up by their grade, not entirely sure what to expect of their new visitors. Debbie explained to them that we were distributing backpacks to all. As she pulled out and displayed the contents of the backpack -- a toothbrush, soap, washcloth, pencils, paper, a letter from someone from the States just for them -- with each item the children cheered with excitement!
Each of us were assigned a grade to distribute packs. As each student stepped up for his or her new backpack, we placed it on them, as if dressing a nobleman or woman with a magical cloak. As we placed a backpack on each child, their face lit up with pride and sheer joy! One would think we had adorned them with a jet pack, as their expression reflected a new found ability to take flight!
And it was for them, as so many of these children do not have their own possessions, let alone necessary school supplies. This backpack and its contents are more than a tool or accessory. These backpacks are an opportunity. They are a message that someone out there is rooting for them and their successful futures, that we believe in them.
The joy was palpable as each student walked away with their new backpacks. As with so many things that happened during our journey, again, it was difficult to tell who was receiving the ultimate gift, the people we were there to meet, or ourselves.
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