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Africa Journal {WE HAVE FAITH CARAVAN} Day 12-15 | Edmonton & International Photographer

We are reaching a point in the trip, where I was feeling a little discouraged. We as a media team were frustrated, our intention of sharing tons of amazing photos, videos and stories everyday on our website just wasn't happening. This was for two reasons:1. Lack of internet and power. Batteries don't stay charged forever and we simply cannot post things without internet.2. Spending all daylight hours on the trucks driving. While I was at first content trying to capture the odd image out the window, this unfortunately grew old and rather unsuccessful. Looking back, I do wish I had worked harder to capture some successful images in the trucks, since let's face it, this was the majority of the trip. But nothing can be done for that now.So sorry for the lack of inspired images during this portion of the trip. Unfortunately my dispirited attitude was showing in my images, but I did say I would share the whole experience.... November 13, 2011 | Lilongwe, MalawiDay #12- While Ryan heads off with the rest of the Caravan to shoot some video at another concert, Ruth and I head into town with the cooks to pick up some work supplies and groceries. It was so great to be off the trucks and walk through the market. Unfortunately though, I wasn't allowed to take any photos, as my 'making a scene' would drive up the prices of the food for the caravan.When we arrived back at camp, there was still no water! So, we did our laundry with pool water, definitely a first for me. Once laundry was finished and hung up to dry, it was time to sit down and get most of my editing caught up and uploaded. It was so great to finally have photos available for the website!Later that evening I found out that I wasn't the only feeling discouraged. A bunch of caravaners stayed up late for some slightly mischievous and much needed fun =)Check some photos from camp that day below!

November 14, 2011 | Lilongwe, Malawi to Chipata, MalawiDay #13- Finally, a short drive day! We arrive at the Mama-Rula campsite in daylight! Some people go to town, while others stayed back to enjoy the pool, some soccer and dancing. Thing I won’t forget…. How many bugs are in the showers!November 15, 2013 | Chipata, Malawi to Lusaka, ZambiaDay #14- We arrive in Zambia, welcomed by a marching band and police escorts. Zambia seems very excited that we are here!! Also, today I had SUBWAY! Yes, the sandwich. Not quite the same as at home, but I can’t tell how happy I was not to eat camp food!

Oh and this was the night that we didn't put a tarp on our tent and then the sky opened up and drenched us in our sleep. While sleeping in a sopping wet sleeping bag was less then ideal, the real bummer was that my iPod didn't survive the flood. Seems lame but one of the saddest moments of the trip. Sometimes iPod = My Sanity. But I am happy to report after a few days of adjusting I survived!

November 16, 2011 | Lusaka, ZambiaDay #15- Today was a disheartening day for all. What started out as wonderful welcome into Zambia turned into a very disappointing concert. The concert was broadcasted LIVE and while there were many amazing artists, one of the acts hired to play was extremely inappropriate. This would have been manageable had their not been a lot of children in the audience. And, to top it off, some one was selling alcohol to minors. None of this was meant to be. We all left early and upset.That being said, there were still some great parts of the concert before things got out of hand. Check it out below!

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Africa Journal {WE HAVE FAITH CARAVAN} Day 5 | Edmonton & International Photographer

November 6, 2011 | Nairobi, KenyaDay #5- This lovely day is our first concert! This is what the We Have Faith Caravan is all about; sharing, educating and collecting signed petitions to present to world leaders at COP17 (conference of parties). And, in my opinion, it was a major success. We started fairly early in the morning, piling onto the trucks for the first time ever!!... a little taste of what the upcoming weeks had in store. We arrived outside the park to see many WHFC members already handing out petitions and performing sound checks.There was so much energy and excitement, and even though we started a couple hours late and began to really understand the saying TIA, This is Africa (often accompanied with little shoulder shrug), the concert was amazing. All the performances were filled with passion and got the crowd so excited and engaged. It certainly helped that we had Juliani, a HUGE star in Kenya, along for the ride. And would you believe it when I told you that by the end of the concert WHFC participants had collected over 10,000 petitions!?

It was just amazing to see so many young people from so many different countries coming together for such a hard-to-digest cause. And, in truth, it is amazing to me that the whole thing was pulled off. Just think about it, nearly 200 young people from all over the world travel by truck across Africa, camping, and hosting large concerts along the way with 'big name' artists, as well as, local artists. This was a BIG thing!

And, in case you were wondering, here is a quote from the actual petitions. This what everyone was signing for:

"We call on our leaders to fight for a just and legally binding climate treaty! We call on our negotiators to treat the Earth with respect, resist disorder and live in peace with each other, including embracing a legally binding climate treaty." (www.wehavefaithactnow.org)

The concert had such an amazing turn-out and, I will say it again, the performers were amazing and truly inspiring!

I hope you enjoyed seeing a little more of my adventure!!! I can't wait to share even more, still have 34 more crazy days to go. As always, let me know what you think or if you have any questions!

Truly,

Karmen