Today Memory, Elijah, and Vasco escorted me on a walk through the streets and markets of Lusaka. Vasco works at the Fountain of Hope, doing outreach to the street kids and working with the resident boys. I left my money and camera behind-- no pictures. I have discovered that in Africa, people are very wary of foreigners taking pictures of them and I have come to respect their concerns. How often I walk the streets, thinking of all the pictures I have missed. But I pity the poor tourist who points their camera at a market vendor without permission.
Instead of taking a taxi to Lusaka's centre, I requested we walk and see the sights. They were all good sports and we headed out, seeing some great sights including a market complete with butcher shops (always fun for the Western vegetarian), clothes, housewares, etc.; open braziers in narrow walkways; families going about their business taking care of babies, cooking, talking.
The primary objective of the walk was to meet some of the street kids that the Fountain of Hope and Lubuto Library are trying to help. We found about fifteen kids near the Soweto Market. Vasco woke some up, others approached us in greeting. Many had cloths in their hands soaked in a clear inhalant, obviously high.
I have to admit, I felt like a stranger walking into some one's house uninvited. I imagine Vasco's primary objective in the walk was fund-raising and social awareness. But Jennifer (Lubuto volunteer) gave me another perspective on the experience: the sole fact of my presence and giving my attention to these kids may help them feel of more value since the vast majority of the population treats them as undesirables. My hope is that my visit instigates some sort of change, either in myself, the lives of the children, or in the success of the Fountain of Hope and the Lubuto Library.
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