Eighth week in Zambia 🔆🇿🇲

~ 19 May ~ Four on bikes and Bemba/English

The day was supposed to start in Kawama, with leadership and business training for club kids. Of course, as I was training in the morning, the project leader's call comes: all cancelled! So change of plan and off to Chipulukusu for the same courses, where the other DIs were also.

We all arrived together and - surprise surprise - the courses had not yet started. During the course, which was a mix of English and Bemba and not very easy to follow, I took the opportunity to do some work from my phone. At lunch they offered us a savoury/sweet muffin and a juice!

After classes, we passed by the Chipulukusu market and then by Jamoca's house to check the shoes that arrived on Sunday. Some of the sizes were too big, so we sent them back to Lusaka on our way to the shipping centre in downtown Ndola.

To go there, the real spectacle: four of us on the motorbike, with water bottles in tow (on the way to town we went by our house to retrieve them and took them with us to fill them up ... spoiler ... of course the shop was closed...). We then dragged them all the way there. It felt like a balancing act, with laughter and a bit of fear at each hole! In the end we got back safely, although at one point we crossed a “pedestrian-only passage” that I don't even know how we got through... downhill, potholes and uphill, a real obstacle course and lots of shouting .... ours of course haha

~ 20 May ~ Muffins, delays and blackouts

Today leadership and entrepreneurship training finally started at Kawama too!

The morning started with my usual training and breakfast: cereal and chocolate soy milk - by now my official combo. I left the house at 10:20 to be at the meeting point at 10:30... but, of course, the taxi wasn't there. And guess what? It arrived at 11:20! I thought I was super late, and instead...got there...I was early. The classes were scheduled for 14:30, but they started an hour later anyway - by now we know, everything is always late here.

Together with the Kawama volunteers we went before the start of the classes to clean and prepare everything. The course was given by a representative of the Ministry of Community and Development, but between English and bemba like the day before, I was struggling a bit to follow, so I took the opportunity to work on some projects that I would like to do here.

Before going to the course location to clean up, we passed by a school where - maybe - we will organise a basic course on computer use. To be planned in the next few weeks!

At 3.30 p.m. the training started!!!

During the training we took a 20-minute break with a typical muffin here, juice and a small bottle of water... like lunch the day before. At the end of the day I took the taxi home. No electricity, but I managed to take a shower just in time... before the water went too! Pancake dinner, then TV series and sleep.

~ 21 May ~ Police, training and blackouts

Today another day, another community... back to Chipulukusu: again there for leadership trainings. We spent the whole morning there. During the training I took the opportunity to work on the computer on two projects I had brought with me.

Basically the last three days ... same day, same routine, same life!

In the early afternoon we had a meeting and then - finally - went to eat ... at 4pm! Immediately afterwards, we headed for the MAPSA team's training camp. These too, of course, postponed to 5pm.

And here's the twist of the day: while we were at the camp, a police car (which actually looked more like a taxi with policemen in it) passes by with a little girl from the team on board... arrested! Apparently she had insulted someone in the street. We went to the police station... to try to sort it out, otherwise the girl would have stayed inside.

When we got there, after 30 minutes of chatting with the “sheriff”, Jamoca and our friend Innocent (who everyone calls Bukarah) went to a room to talk to her. At some point, Bukarah comes back and asks us for 100 kwacha.... I'll let you imagine why. In all, an hour spent inside the barracks, which had a very... peculiar air about it. We managed to get back to the camp just in time to see a little bit of the boys' training, but by then it was late and we went home. And the light? As soon as we entered the living room - zac! - blackout. No power tonight either!

Quick dinner, absurd heat and then relaxation. Tomorrow we're off again. The last few days have been scorching hot... and to think that the cold season was supposed to arrive!

~ 22 May ~ Zombies, permission and stomach in revolt

The day started...in a rush, literally: ‘Run to the bathroomooo!’ was my good morning. Nausea, headache and a general state of ‘I want to die’..Did yesterday's lunch dish betray me? Yet it was the usual: nshima, sausage and vegetables. But something must have gone wrong.

Despite everything, I practised. I don't know how, but I did it. Slowly, crawling, but I made it. Then change of plan: direction Immigration Centre for some news... after a month and a half, I finally got my permit! Just picked up, looking like a zombie - and the photo confirms it.

In the afternoon, I joined Karola in Chipulukusu for the last day of training. At the lunch break, we had the usual muffin with the guys. For the first time I saw someone using gloves to serve the food. That is, using gloves and giving us food with gloves: wow, historic moment!

Me, though, all day between stomach aches, baths, headaches and dizziness. A physical rollercoaster: one minute better, then really bad again. My body today said: “No thanks”, not even a white rice has passed. After lunch (which I didn't do), I went to the field with two under-19 boys to watch a bit of training. Then I moped home... and twist of fate: there was still light! I even managed to dry my hair - miracle. It's usually impossible here. Of course, at 7pm the power went out, but to have made it to 6:45pm is already a small luxury. Also because it's already pitch dark by then.

Now I'm crossing my fingers for a night without bathroom marathons.

~ 23 May ~ Nausea, cleanliness and a trickle of lemon

Tonight? A nightmare. So much for sweet dreams: every two hours I was on my feet, between the bed and the bathroom, with nausea that gave me no respite. Finally at some point I even managed to get really sick. At 3.45 a.m. I was awake and staring at the ceiling... sleep was mission impossible. The alarm clock was scheduled for 5:45am for the 'Chipulukusu cleaning action!

The morning seemed to start with “I'm staying at home today, I'm totally knocked out”, but after a while I recovered (no one knows how), and decided to give it a try. And it was a beautiful decision: all together we made the Chipulukusu community a little cleaner! The atmosphere was really good. Hopefully people will really start not throwing things on the ground. It seems that yesterday some of the project guys were informing shopkeepers about the new waste bag initiative in the community... we will see if it works. I'll keep you posted!

The afternoon, on the other hand, was much softer: a bit of pasta in bianco (hoping to digest it), lots of relaxation and two little things done for the future. Weekend coming up and it promises to be a busy one, so we needed a break. Quiet evening, although... surprise! No light (really?). And in fact I had no light inside either: zero hunger, still stomach ache, but at least less nausea. I fed myself with half an apple and some lemon (more symbolic than anything else), and now I'm crossing my fingers that I'll sleep and feel better tomorrow.

Night everyone!!!

~ 24 May ~ Football adventures and bus out of control

Today finally much better! I'd say: top. Just in time, because it was a busy day.

First stop: girls' football match! Location? A community nearby. At least... we thought it was the one. We arrive at what looked like a school, but maybe it was private property (oops!). We walk in like it was nothing and immediately the lady warns us that there are dogs nearby. PANIC.... luckily gave us two tips on how to avoid them by turning left. End of story: we are all still in one piece!

The girls' game? Well, they lost, but they're growing. It just needs some work on management, but the base is there!

Afterwards? Bus with 20 people crammed in to go see the boys' match. When we arrived, the game was practically over.... But from there it was back to Chipulukusu, because it was time to meet the youth clubs of our Saturday project.

The return journey was... memorable: slightly bigger bus, but there were almost 50 of us inside! Three whole teams, coaches, helpers... All crammed into a 29-seater bus, with music blasting. Illegal as hell, but so much life! After the clubs, we ended up at Jamoca's house: sofa full of kids laughing at old photos... what a tender moment! Then I tried my hand at making nshima (or at least I tried), and at the end of the night we went home, where a luxurious surprise was waiting for us: Chichi had left us some leftover food, already prepared. Thank you Chichi, you are a top chef!

~ 25 May ~ Africa Freedom Day between spending, football and the stage!

Today is Africa Freedom Day! And you can feel it in the air here: party atmosphere, music, people out and about, and lots of events.

My day started with a morning shopping spree. Then, in the afternoon, there was supposed to be a game for the older boys.... but surprise! The other team arrived late and so: no official match. But we didn't lose heart - never! - and the boys improvised a friendly match between them: “starters” team versus “subs” team. And... surprise number two: the bench won! Of course we were cheering for them!!!

After the game, quick change of clothes, shower for the guys, and off to the evening's event: a concert! And what a concert! As soon as we arrived, we were taken straight to the front row. I'm not sure how it happened, but at one point they even called us on stage to greet everyone... how embarrassing!

Closing the evening was Chile One, super famous here in Zambia. Everyone knew him and sang his songs at the top of their voices!

After the concert, dinner out. The others went for pizza, I - as a true veteran of the gastrointestinal war - opted for chicken strips. I feel better, but my stomach still complains from time to time.

And finally: home, pyjamas and goodnight world.

Us at the concert!

Almost 100 % recovered we continue this adventure!!! Tomorrow we celebrate “Africa Freedom Day”.... which since it falls on a Sunday is celebrated on the following Monday!

See you next week!

Marti