The Dordykes

new site!!

2007-12-08T08:14:00.000-08:00

please check out our new website: http://web.mac.com/dordykes/iWeb/Site/Welcome.html

Dordykes Into the Wild

2007-06-17T13:26:00.000-07:00

With Suley blurting out the Annie soundtrack at the top of her lungs we plunged into the heart of darkness (maybe it was more like wading in the kiddy pool of grayness) to get our first taste of African wildlife. Twenty minutes outside of Lusaka is the Lilayi Game Park, 650 hectors of undeveloped land teeming with herbivores big and small. As we bounced around on the dirt track, we spotted waterbucks, bush backs, impalas, warthogs and wildebeest or doggies as Liam refers to them. The big find was a mother giraffe and her calf grazing for leaves on the freshly burned savannah.

Jack’s keen eye spotted a family of velvet monkeys high up in a baobab tree, the female screeching to her offspring, warning them of our presence. After a short stop to observe the monkeys pruning and picking at each other we drove on through the dense grass wondering what Zambia had in store for us next.

No Fear Factor

2007-06-16T01:08:00.000-07:00

Driving in Lusaka…everything happening at once! First we are driving on the left side of the road, the steering wheel on the right, and stick shift on the left, dust is everywhere and we are moving at 80 Km/hour to keep up with traffic. The beautiful African sun, setting into our eyes, while the mini bus full of people cuts into our lane as we are avoiding the 2 foot deep potholes and the foot deep drop-off along the road's shoulder which happens to be full of Zambians walking along. Where they are going, we have no idea. But they are in full force. Drive on!

A week in the copperbelt

2007-06-07T22:33:00.000-07:00

The earthiness of the rich, red dusty road contrasting with the deep green tones of the bush, all under the great African sky, caused a moment of pause among all members of our AIDSRelief team. We had just left a mine hospital in the Copperbelt of Zambia, nearing the border of Congo around 1700 (5pm) when we were all taken back by the colors emerging by the setting sun. Whether we had been in Zambia for 2 weeks or 2 years, it was one of those majestic sensations that overwhelmed us. We had spent the past 2 days touring a hospital and clinic to see about incorporating an HIV care and treatment center, in an area where less than 10% of the people who need medical care for HIV infection, are actually receiving it.
The area is called the copperbelt for very obvious reasons. There are several copper mines in the area. We were able to visit on of the mines and see how they extract and process the copper. We even got to hold the copper ore in our hands!

To Market to Market...

2007-05-29T15:24:00.000-07:00

One moment we find ourselves wandering trough through the Dutch Reform Church Market searching for giraffes, cheetahs, instruments fashioned from gourds and Chitenje wraps. The next moment we are in the Shoprite in search of peanut butter and granadilla yogurt while trying to break down the actual costs in US dollars versus Zambian Kwacha.

Quick shopping list:

5Kg Maize Meal
½ dozen eggs
peanut butter
1 Kg Zambeef
4 Coke Lights w/deposit
250g Kapenta (dry minnows)
spinach
spaghetti
garlic
and of course the yogurt

Total: 76,437 K / 18USD

Time to go fry some minnows. YUM!

What is in a date anyway?

2007-05-29T11:14:00.000-07:00

So while we celebrate a child’s actual birthday, then have a party over the weekend and maybe even a second with family close to the date, many Zambian children are lucky if they know the season, year or even a date with in 5 years of their birth. It makes it difficult to determine any developmental delays! A father walked into the clinic with his son. I asked the man how old his son was, nine was his reply. Wow, I thought to myself, this child is much smaller than Jack. “Does he go to school?” I proceeded to ask, wondering if this was an average 9y/o. Being new to Zambia and this was one of my first patients, I was not sure what to expect. “no he is too small” was his response. “when was he born” “2000 and….3, maybe.” “Oh so that would make him 4?” “Yes he is four.” Hmmmmm.
A similar experience occurred with the next child that walked into the clinic. She could not have been more than 3 years old. “How old is the baby?” I asked the mother. “I don’t know.” At least she was a bit more honest.
“How many children do you have.”
“I have 4.”
“When where they born.”
“I don’t know.
“What year do you think this baby was born.”
“2000.”
“OK, so she is 7?”
“Yes. “
Hmmmmmmm.
The day continued on like that child after child. Dad- do you remember when we used to play the game “guess your age,” it is a good thing I have had some practice ☺

(picture is not from the clinic)

12 Bags, 36 Hours, 13,000 Miles

2007-05-25T14:28:00.000-07:00

Moving a family of five across the globe!

After staying state side for seven years gaining skills (mainly nunchuk), education and completing our family, it was time to make the plunge abroad. To instill in our children a better sense of the world and hopefully creating a better place.

We left in a whirlwind. So many good friends and family stopping by, the bon voyages, phone calls of good luck, and despedidas. All hopefully not truly good byes. Jack framed it perfectly the day we left. He said. “Mom, I am excited to move to Zambia, but I am sad because I will miss all my friends.“
Two days ago we were driving to JFK to fly to Dakar then Johannesburg and finally Lusaka. Through out the trip Jack Suleyka and Liam proved themselves seasoned travelers, unabashed by the long flight. Upon arrival into Lusaka, Liam, brave with excitement, Liam crossed into his new country sans visa, blowing off the custom stop. After a quick capture by Miguel, he was able to woo the customs official for a second chance at a visa.

Outside of a little jet lag, mom's clothes no where to be found, and the kids rockin’ and rollin’ at 3 am, we are ready to start a new chapter in our Dordyke adventure.

Hope you will all come and visit us!

Happy 1st birthday!

2006-10-02T19:48:00.000-07:00

L is one! I don't know where the year went. He is talking and movin all around.

J starts Kindergarten!!!

2006-10-02T19:37:00.000-07:00

I can't believe J is in Kindergarten! He is very happy to be at the "big school."

S is very happy to be back in preschool. She had to have a blue dress to start the year!

Happy Kids

2006-06-24T18:05:00.000-07:00

J graduates from Pre-K with his best bud. S hangs with pal and L's all smiles.

THE THREE AMIGOS

2006-06-24T17:48:00.000-07:00

S the ballerina

2006-03-31T04:55:00.000-08:00

She just loves to dance

Jack makes it to the top

2006-03-31T04:52:00.000-08:00

Hiking with friend

Liam at 5 months

2006-03-31T04:41:00.000-08:00

Liam is such a funny baby. He is always smiling and laughing. His new favorite trick is blowing raspberries, especially when his mouth is full of rice cereal.