A photograph is usually looked at – seldom looked into.
~Ansel Adams
I’m Christy. Mom to 2, Wife to the man of my dreams.
Photography was so stereo-typical, something that everyone else and their proverbial house pets did. Until I picked up my first Canon DSLR in 2009. Suddenly the world was full of pictures, textures, colours and inspiration. And I fell head over heels in love. I have no delusions of grandeur, but it sure is fun to experiment.
My photographs inspire my life-long love of writing and my visual voice inspires my written words. I love that my passions compliment each other so well.
When I’m not cradling my Canon lovingly in my arms (ok, I’m not *that* obsessive), I love old movies, singing, iced coffee and port wine. I’m often over-caffeinated with a full camera memory card. I’m a wild dichotomy of being easily moved to tears, yet fluent in sarcasm. I have recently developed a twisted enjoyment out of kicking the sides out of my comfort zone and have decided to quit stifling the creative side of myself.
Thus, the blog.
This blog began as a way to document our trip to Africa. My husband and I are proud World Vision child sponsors and volunteers and in May 2010, we visited Zambia. Meeting our sponsored child and writing/photographing the incredible work in that part of the world was a dream come true. We didn’t simply have an adventure, Colin & I both found our life’s calling.
Photo by Colin Zacharias
We love Africa and returned again in November 2011, this time visiting Malawi (with stops of mere minutes in Zambia and Mozambique). It was an unforgettable 16 day adventure complete with hippos, geckos and Fanta. It solidified our commitment to Africa long term.
Photo by Patrick Gilligan
Our hearts remain until our feet can, once again, return. But until that day, we’re straddling two diverse worlds – telling the stories and experiences of the poorest of the poor and raising our kids with the luxuries and freedoms of Canada. In the mean time, this is where I cathartically transcribe my life and enjoy creativity.
I don’t fit into the saturated mommy-blogger market (“Thank God” says my husband), but I’m not a nomadic adventure freak, a professional photographer or a career humanitarian either. So my blog is what is – my honest, imperfect attempt to blend my images and words. I stoop to clichés, I edit prolifically, I use too many commas and if brevity is the soul of wit, I’m in big trouble. But I am striving to be courageous enough to produce something authentic.
Best way to reach me is christyzach @ gmail.com.
Obviously there are no spaces in the real address – I’m just trying to avoid spam (both the canned lunchmeat and the unsolicited e-mail variety).
Hello Christy,
I too am about to do a similar journey to visit my sponsored child near Mongu, Western Zambia.
Njamba is 16 yrs old now and WV is ending the support in the Nakande area developement as they have a school, medical centre and are fairly self sufficient as far as I can tell. I will be arriving in Lusaka on Aug.19th and ( not confirmed yet ) but hopefully staying at Kilimanjaro Lodge ( recomended by Kimm , I found her blog and now I am hooked ) for the first night.
Kimm suggested I contact you to ask your advice on what I can bring to Njamba & his Family of 4 siblings. Fortunately he has both parents and lives in a village with 16 children, ages ranging from 3yrs to 20yrs. World Vision have been very helpful in helping me to co-ordinate this trip. WV is picking me up from Cahminuka at 7:30 am on Aug. 22 and then after a quick visit with the manager in Lusaka, they are driving me to Njamba’s village. I will get a tour of the Nakande project and give the village their gifts and the following day Njamba, his 3 siblings ( one being his twin sister), Dad, the WV escorts & myself are going to the Liuwa Game reserve. I am so excited!
We will return to Lusaka on Aug. 25th and then on the 26th I am taking a bus to Vic Falls.
I have asked WV what the family needs and I was told, pots, blankets, plates and a mattress.
I have packed a small, carry on sized suit case for my personal belongings and a full sized case with things for Njamba, Family & village kids. I am taking tooth brushes, paste, bar soap, sewing kit & material( for Njamba’s twin), a carving tool set, socks, swiss army knife tool set, Basketball jersy( it was my sons), flashlight, batteries( this came in the swiss army knife kit, ( for Njamba),
clothing, books, colouring books, crayons, soccer shoes ( also my sons), soccor ball-pump( for Njamba’s 13yr old brother, pencils, erasers, Math x’s table flash cards, wooden small games and a few other small things.
I hope to carry a 16 piece set of Corelle ( by Corning) dishes as a carry on for Njamba’s Mom and a Eatable Garden book & seeds for Dad as he is a farmer.
When Kimm answered my blog she suggested I buy the pots & blankets here in Toronto and maybe more hardy seeds in Zambia.
Sorry for the long winded message, but I am sure you can relate as to how I want to take as much as I can that would be beneficial, with out creating too much garbage in their village.
I also bought a tube of gum balls ( a yard long) which I will carry on the plane with me and I was debating giving it to the medical centre to hand out to kids who attend the clinic. Or I might give it to Njamba’s Mom to dispense as she sees fit.
So after all of that, what do you think? Any suggestions? Do you think I am on the right track?
Thank you in advance for any words of wisdom you may send my way.
ever!
Joanne
I would LOVE to help, Joanne! If you use the email address above (without spaces of course), I will email you back.
SO glad you got in touch! And SO excited for you! What a journey.
I stumbled upon your blog…can’t wait to read more! Sherry
Welcome, Sherry! I love new readers.
I nominated you for the Versatile Blog Award. Not sure if you’ve been nominated before…but wanted you to know I enjoy your blog!
Thanks, Sherry- haven’t been nominated before.
Very sweet of you.