By Kim Zahnow
Before arriving at the Living Hope Orphanage, our team anticipated the children would be a highlight of our trip. Early parental death is all too common in this area of the world. Children find a safe place to call home at Living Hope.
It was an honor to share their home with them during our visit. The children welcomed us with song, taught us how to eat with our hands (the traditional Zambian way), showed us how to dance, and revealed to us a special joy that shines despite the pain of their circumstance. We will carry this joy with us the rest of our lives.
Girls playing games.
Bob learning to dance.
The children of Living Hope have found a home and family with one another. Their past has included trauma that could have overtaken their lives, but they have found a new life at Living Hope. Living Hope provides food, shelter, education, and community. Coffee farming is an integral part of the plan for the future, ensuring continued goodness is brought to the lives of these youth.
Nathan Havey showing the children how to use technology.
Creating can be a powerful space of healing. We witnessed amazing creativity through the songs shared, use of photography and videography, dance, and braiding of one another’s hair. Nathan Havey (on video), and I were able to spend an unforgettable afternoon creating with the children. This post is a collection of videos and pictures found on my iPhone and camera created by the children that afternoon.
The following pictures were captured by the students. We loved seeing the world through their eyes. They are naturals at technology and have incredible eyes for and appreciation of art. We are not crediting names currently for privacy reasons.
The girls asked Michelle and I why our hair was not braided. After explaining that we do not know how to braid our hair, the girls quickly volunteered to do it for us. We had such a wonderful time as they braided and talked with us. They have big dreams and a solid foundation to pursue their dreams at Living Hope.
A shared favorite part of our week was listening to the children sing after they went to bed. Their song echoed throughout the farm for about an hour. I could not imagine a more comforting and healing way to go to sleep every night. Please enjoy a song of the Living Hope children below.
