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Africa with Clinton: Zambia (Day 4)

Greetings from Zambia:

IMG_0162Awakened by the sunlight streaming through my balcony windows.  It was too dark to see last night, but with the daylight I can see that I have a wonderful balcony that overlooks the Zambezi River.  I had to force myself to leave the room – I could have easily spent the day on the balcony.

Had a relatively late start:  8:15 breakfast, 9:15 departure for Event 1.  Today we traveled for 90 minutes over some VERY bad road to a rural village to visit with some Clinton Health Associates.  These native Zambians are trained by medical and social work professionals for one year, and then they are deployed to villages in Zambia, where they provide basic health care services and advice to a roster of clients.  They are supposed to have a catchment area of 3,500 people but personnel shortages have meant that their catchment areas really cover 12,000 people.  Initially funded entirely by the Clinton Foundation, the Zambian government has now, in the program’s third year, taken over the financing.   It was fascinating to hear them talk about their work, their successes, and some of the challenges they encounter, such as traditional beliefs about pregnancy and contraception, husbands who refuse to let male doctors attend their wives childbirth experience, etc.   Because of the lack of resources, the Health Associates get around to see their clients either on foot or by bicycle, carrying their paperwork and medical equipment by hand.  Some days, the CHAs spent HOURS just walking from village to village.  Their most needed item??  Not cars (road are too bad), but motorized scooters and more efficient carrying cases for their supplies.

TWO whole hours to get back to the hotel over VERY, VERY bad road.  I mean BAD ROAD.  I don’t think my back is ever going to forgive me.

IMG-20130802-00007Next event:  Starkey Hearing Fitting.  The Starkey Foundation helps deaf children hear.  They’ve figured out a low-cost solution to help thousands of young people hear.  Today we actually fitted young people with hearing aids and helped them to hear for the first time.  The expression on their faces when they could hear someone’s voice was absolutely priceless.  Something I’ll never forget.  That and President Clinton himself fitting kid after kid with hearing aids, working with each one to calibrate it just right.  And the look of joy on their faces and his as the mission was accomplished.  Simply amazing.

Next up:  we joined President Clinton as he walked over to Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.  It is spectacular.  There are no other words.  To view their majesty, you cannot help but know that there is a God and His Name is Glorious.

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On the way back, we ran into a herd of zebras grazing on the grounds of the hotel.  I had already encountered some zebras earlier in the day ;  as I was leaving my room, they were right outside the door.  Also saw monkeys, but I missed the elephants and the giraffes, though other delegates did see them. (posted the picture on twitter, and sent it around earlier today.)

Nice dinner in the David Livingstone room, and then back to my room.  The bed had been turned down, bathrobe laid out, and slippers at the ready.  I love this place.  Will definitely come back some day.IMG_0231

We have an early calltime tomorrow – bags must be in the lobby by 6am, with departure for the airport at 7:30pm sharp.  Tanzania bound.

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Africa with Clinton: Malawi (Day 1/2/3)

On Tuesday morning, July 30, I boarded a plane with other delegation members headed for out first stop, Malawi.  15 hours and 2 fuel stops later and we arrive in Malawi, affectionately known as The Warm Heart of Africa. Transferred to the hotel for some down time before a delegation briefing and dinner at Mamma Mia, an Italian place in town.

But before dinner, a little shopping. (Was there any doubt?? I am my mother’s child!) The only person on this trip that’s a bigger shopper than me is the President! We were the last two in the store.

Wonderful dinner with Clinton and the delegation. Lots of interesting people. Should be a good trip.

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Great day in Malawi yesterday. Spent the day at a Clinton Health Access Initiative clinic in Lilongwe, the capital. Great facility that helps clients know their HIV status, helps HIV positive mothers prevent virus transmission to their. Infants, and treats people with HIV/AIDS with proper medication.

Followed by press conference with President Clinton and Malawi President Joyce Banda, the first and only female president in southern Africa.

Then we headed to a rural farm where we interacted with local farmers and their families. And learned how Clinton initiatives are helping the farmers to grow their businesses with sustainable practices that protect the land.

Wheels up to Zambia. Flying with a former president is a different experience. Like, you don’t have to turn off your phone. Or fasten your seatbelt. Or keep your toiletries in those little bags. Customs? What customs? Someone takes your passport and returns it to you with all the stamps.

In Zambia, staying at The Royal Livingstone right on the Zambezi River and next to Victoria Falls. Dark when we landed so can’t see much. But we’ve been warned not to leave our patio doors open lest the monkeys wander in and steal our stuff. Looking forward to daylight to see my surroundings.

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Africa with President Clinton

IMG-20130730-00001Each year, President Clinton takes a small delegation to Africa to visit Clinton Foundation projects there.  I was so honored to have been invited to join this year’s trip to Africa.  This year’s itinerary includes Malawi, Zambia, Tanzania, Rwanda, and South Africa.  I’ll be making journal posts here so you can follow along.

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Dedication of the King Memorial

After years of preparation and planning, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial was scheduled to be officially dedicated on August 28, 2011.  I was blessed to be part of the planning for the Dedication events … In fact, I was the Lead Coordinator for the National Prayer Service that took place on August 27 (which happened to also be my birthday).

Johnson Lloyd Chane Haynes Ratliff Young Mason King West Lowery Adams Campbell Hendi Brock Bernstein Salguero Lee Moss Johnson Edmonds Johnson Lloyd Chane Haynes Ratliff Young Mason King West Lowery Adams Campbell Hendi Brock Bernstein Salguero Lee Moss Johnson Lloyd Chane Haynes Ratliff Young Mason King West Lowery Adams Campbell Hendi Brock Bernstein Salguero Lee Moss

As we know, Mother Nature had plans of her own … first, an earthquake, then Hurricane Irene rolled through the Nation’s Capital, forcing the postponement of the formal Dedication to October.  But the Prayer Service went on as scheduled in August, and it was a wonderful and inspiring event …  Particularly moving and personal tributes were offered by Elder Bernice King, Reverend Joseph Lowery, and Ambassador Andrew Young. Here’s THE PROGRAM. 

(We’d planned to have it at Washington National Cathedral, but earthquake damage to the Cathedral forced us to move to the National Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.  What a stunningly beautiful church!  If you’ve never been there, you MUST make a point of visiting.)

It was the last event of the week before folks fled, I mean got out of town and out of the way of Irene.  Though it was not what we’d planned, it was somehow fitting that the week of festivities came to a close with a Prayer Service.

The formal dedication services were held on October 16, 2011.

Enjoy these photos of the prayer service.

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Good Night Dr. Height, We’ll See You In The Morning

Dr. Dorothy Height, Grand Dame of the Civil Rights Movement, departed this life early on April 20, 2010, at the age of 98.  I was honored to serve as National Coordinator for her homegoing services.

There were five public and three private events over three days.

A time of Public Visitation at the headquarters of the National Council of Negro Women, as Dr. Height lay in repose.  Midway between the Capitol and the White House, it is the only building on Pennsylvania Avenue owned by an African American organization.

A rousing and inspiring Celebration of Life at DC’s Shiloh Baptist Church.  It was the retelling of Dr. Height’s life and legacy through music, pictures, and video.  Among the highlights were remarks by former President Bill Clinton, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Reverend Jesse Jackson, Reverend Al Sharpton, Elder Bernice King, and Congressman John Lewis, to name just a few.  And Stevie Wonder was on hand to do his thing, like only he can.  To watch, go to http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/293224-1

The homegoing service held at Washington National Cathedral.  President Obama delivered the eulogy.  And BeBe Winans SANG the house down.  And let’s not forget Dr. Maya Angelou, harpist Jeffmajors, Dr. Camille Cosby, and mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves.  It was a moving, elegant service, befitting the queen that was Dorothy Height.  Watch at http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/293240-1 or http://www.nationalcathedral.org/webcasts/height.shtml.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority held their Omega Omega Service at Howard University’s Burr Gymnasium.  (Dr. Height was the 10th National President of the Deltas.)  And lastly, Dr. Height was interred at Fort Lincoln Cemetery in Brentwood, MD.

Putting it all together was a ton of work;  one week of non-stop activity and planning.  Fortunately, I had a fabulous team, and while it was absolutely exhausting, all of us felt that it was our reasonable service.  It was the least we could do to show our appreciation and thanks for the woman who broke down doors and paved the way for us to live the lives we live.  We know that we stand on her shoulders.

I am proud to have known Dr. Dorothy and I will miss her every day.

View photo galleries of the week’s events:

Gallery of the Shiloh Service

Gallery of the Cathedral Service

Dr. Height’s Civil Rights Legacy