Fifth week in Zambia!! 🔆🇿🇲

DAY 26

April 28 – Epic delays, dream pools, and human billboards

The morning started in full chill mode: workout, relaxation, and everything at a slow pace. We planned to go out at noon with our friends… but at 3:41 pm we were still at home when the awaited call came: "We’re out!!!" A whopping 3 hours and 41 minutes late — which here is almost normal!

During the trip, I noticed (as always) how it seems like cars are coming straight at you. Actually, they’re just zigzagging around potholes to get back into their lane. The roads are really bad in many places, though luckily not everywhere.

We visited three different parks. The second one was an amazing discovery: a swimming pool with real swim lanes! For just 75 kwacha (a bit over 2 euros), you can spend the whole day swimming, having a barbecue, picnicking, playing, or simply relaxing. There’s also a bar and a restaurant, and apparently even a swim club: I found my spot!

The “serious” pool is quite deep, and there’s another shallower one for kids or those who just want to cool off. I noticed all the women wore one-piece swimsuits and shorts… maybe we’ll need to adjust too. In the lap pool, there were only men.

In town, I also saw a surreal scene: people standing still wearing billboard-like advertisements on their bodies, all in a line… it looked like an art performance!

We ended the evening at a pub with music, chats, and a chill atmosphere. We got home… without electricity (as usual), but with water – which by now feels like a luxury.

DAY 27

April 29 – Delays, laughter, and mannequins with curves!

The day started with a 9 am meeting… at least on paper! Our legendary friend Jamoca showed up only 1 hour and 22 minutes late. Meanwhile, we chatted with some people at the nearby clinic about HPV screening. I’ll tell you more about this clinic soon because there are exciting updates coming! It’s called Zambart. They do various tests: HIV, TB, nutrition for children, Papilloma virus, and more.

While we were in the clinic’s garden watering plants, I played volleyball/soccer with Jamoca! It’s so nice to move around sometimes!

For lunch: a quick banana, then we bumped into one of Jamoca’s friends who insisted on treating us. Here, you never refuse an offer or you’re labeled “asocial”! So… you accept everything with a big smile, even if you’ve already eaten!

At 2 pm, we were supposed to meet youth clubs in Chipulukusu… but at 2:15 pm there was still no one. Eventually, some showed up at 2:30 pm, just keeping the Zambian pace, and although there weren’t many, we collected contacts from some leaders. Great for staying connected!

On the way to the community center, we took one of those famous minibuses: 9 seats, but we were 20 inside. Cost? Only 5 kwacha each, about 0.47 euros for the three of us. Sardine-style travel… but cheap!

During the ride, I noticed that female mannequins here have real shapes: wide hips, authentic curves!

In the afternoon, we met the MAPSA girls at the field, then worked on filming a fundraising video for the MAPSA Academy. After about twenty tries (lots of laughs, mistakes, and creative takes), we finally recorded the final version. It should be online by the time you read this! Please donate!!!

Tired, sunburned, and hungry, we went home and cooked Karo’s improvised recipe: soy meatballs, potatoes, carrots, and onions with some spices. Not bad! They’ll come with us for lunch tomorrow.

Last forgotten news: a few weeks ago, while waiting for a volunteer from Nkwasi, a guy stopped in a car speaking French. He was a player for ZESCO United, one of Zambia’s top football teams! He’s currently injured but invited us to watch some matches. We actually saw some with our friends. Random encounters, always interesting!

DAY 28

April 30 – Young rocks, football, and... Inter vs Barcelona!

The morning started with a really special meeting: we went to meet the girls from Juvanile, a group of young people who have had trouble with the law or are under protection. We’ll be working with them every Wednesday and are super excited to start this journey!

After the meeting, we took a stroll in a brand-new shopping center nearby, with a huge and well-stocked supermarket. There, we also bumped into other “musungu” like us!

Back home, we had lunch and took a couple of hours to work on fundraising.

In the afternoon, we all went to cheer for the MAPSA girls’ match. It’s always amazing to watch them play with such energy!

In the evening… big night: Inter vs Barcelona, Champions League semifinal! We watched it with some friends. The music at the venue was awesome. We didn’t catch the entire match because the TV wasn’t in our favor… but at least we saw the whole ending!

Dinner at this “luxury” spot: 875 kwacha for four, about 28 euros total. We treated our friends, but for them, it was quite expensive. One of them basically just ate fries so he wouldn’t feel too guilty about the bill.

And to top off the day: on the way home, all the car’s warning lights came on. Classic!

DAY 29

May 1 – Sour meatballs, a wasted trip, and windblown hair

A pure chill morning: no workouts, just relaxation and reading (sometimes I remember all the books I brought with me… and I feel a little guilty, so I read!).

For lunch: the legendary meatballs from the day before… unfortunately, they turned a bit sour. Blame it on the unstable electricity and the fridge switching on and off. But hey, I’m still alive, so all is good!

In the afternoon: off to Kitwe with the MAPSA boys for a match! Happy and calm, about an hour’s drive from Ndola. Departure at 2:30 pm in a small but packed car (driven by a mechanic!). A few initial issues, then the Toyota came back to life. Too bad the other team refused to play because our team arrived late. So… no match, back home we go.

On the highway: people walking, cars driving the wrong way, windows down, hair flying and full of knots. We laughed, all under control.

On the way back, at least some good news: we stopped to buy the first materials thanks to fundraising! Two balls to start with… symbolic but super important!

I’ll keep saying it… DONATE!! All info is on Instagram! Or message me here on the blog!! But donate!

The evening was a bit tense: discussions and stressful topics, to be resumed in the coming days. But the real cherry on top came at dinner: a sudden downpour, all windows open, house flooded. Unavoidable laughter!

Good night from us!

Stranded on the highway... the car won’t start!

DAY 30

May 2 – Detox day, ice cream, and new friends

After the stress accumulated in the past few days, today was finally a detox day! The morning started with a meeting, followed by some planning, household chores, and mental rest. Sometimes you just need to slow down, disconnect, and take care of yourself. Not much to report, but a well-deserved relaxing day.

In the late afternoon, ice cream mission: the best way to lift the spirits! Between spoonfuls, we also met some new friends. Simple little things, but they make all the difference.

See you tomorrow, with a smile.

DAY 31

May 3 – Reset underway, downpour, moldy bread, and heartbreaking news

Today the sky decided to pour everything out: a total downpour. Luckily, I chose to stay home and, for once, skipped the meeting about the men’s and women’s football championships, allowing myself another “Reset Marti” day. Sometimes you just need it.

Workout, relaxation, a movie, a few hours on the computer organizing next week... and lunch with a surprise: the bread was moldy. I realized it too late, but it was already done. Strange taste confirmed. But I’m still alive, so that’s okay.

The afternoon went calmly, but then came heartbreaking news. A few days ago at church, we met a pregnant woman sent by the pastor. Today we learned she died during childbirth. The baby didn’t make it either. This happens far too often here, and every time it leaves a huge pain…

DAY 32

May 4 – Matches, children, and stars

Up at 6 a.m. today! Workout, then out early for the first match of the day: the girls on the field! The afternoon was dedicated to the boys’ match.

While waiting for a taxi in the morning, a motorbike passed by with five people on it. Normal here. Sometimes I wonder how they all fit haha.

During the match, Karo noticed something that struck us: a kid wearing flip-flops held together with thumbtacks. Literally. An image worth a thousand words: ingenuity.

The day was a mix of emotions. Sometimes morale isn’t great, for big or small reasons... but then spending five minutes with the children recharges everything. Pure energy. Some call us, some greet us, some hug us, some speak to us in Bemba, some want to learn Italian, some touch our hair or cling to us. Some remain silent but say everything with their eyes.

We walked part of the way home after tasting a piece of grilled cassava (taste: bread, chicken... a strange mix) and rode part on a motorbike, me staring at the stars—finally visible after days of rain. A simple but beautiful moment despite the many potholes and pitch darkness.

And tonight, again: no electricity, but water and, above all, smiles. Hearts full.

And here we are, one month since we arrived... it’s incredible how fast time has flown.

Stay tuned for updates in the coming weeks!! New news coming soon!!! Especially if we get arrested, since our visa expired three days ago and we still haven’t heard anything from the “higher-ups”!

If that happens, goodbye everyone!!!

Marti