Seventh week in Zambia 🔆🇿🇲

~12 May ~ Girls, letters and chocolate biscuits

The day started... with classic Zambian time: an hour late. We don't even notice it anymore, it's part of the package!

Today was a girls' day. On the way in the car we saw - as is often the case - piles of rubbish being burnt on the street. The “weirdest” part? They were burning right next to a gas station....yes, just to keep the tension high....

We spent the whole day teaching reading, writing and speaking English. Many girls couldn't even write their own names. I took 6 girls: 3 with a slightly higher level and 3 who didn't speak English at all. I made the former write the alphabet, while with the others I worked on reading and comprehension. It's not easy to manage such different levels, but they often help each other, which is great to see.

In the afternoon I did some language exchange: I learnt some Bemba and taught Italian to one of the girls! Then it was off to sports: football, basketball and netball! It was great!

Before going home, though, holy water at the supermarket: I found two lactose-free chocolate biscuits! The first ones found here... miracle! Spoiler: finished in 1 day... you can tell I missed them.

In the evening I worked on a secret (but not too secret) project: did some online research and study. I'll tell you about it soon...

~13 May~ Dumps, projects and mopeds without helmets

Up super early today... too bad my body didn't really agree: dead tired and with a headache.... But we set off anyway, destination Chipulukusu, to meet the community youth leader.

Spoiler: maybe we were a little late, maybe he forgot, the fact is... he wasn't there. But all's well! Anyway, we met the project leader and talked about something very important: the clean-up campaign we are organising here in the community.

There are no bins here and rubbish is thrown everywhere: on the ground, in the canals... with the result that there is now a real open dump. Our aim is to organise a clean-up day with the clubs and the community, but above all to educate people in new habits, for the good of the environment and health. Dirt brings insects, flies, and of course disease.

In the next few days we will start planning everything: distributing the bins, defining who is responsible (perhaps among shopkeepers, who are the first to throw things into the canals), and lots of talk to raise awareness among those who live here. Tornata a casa (più per eccessivo mal di testa che per stanchezza),dopo un po' di relax, mi sono messa a lavorare sul mio progetto, di cui vi parlerò meglio tra qualche giorno. Una pausa con pasta, tonno e pomodori, poi un po’ di riposo, due lavatrici al volo, un piccolo allenamento, e ancora lavoro sul progetto fino a tardi.

Intanto Karo è andata a vedere un allenamento con i ragazzi del calcio. La parte divertente? Viaggio in motorino in 4, senza casco, al buio. Solo a raccontarlo mi viene da ridere! Ahahahah Zambia style!

Landfill in the Chipulukusu community

~14 May~ Shoes, market and... stories that stay with you

Today we went to buy football shoes for the boys in the team, thanks to part of the funds we raised. Earlier in the morning we passed by another market to buy a pair of shoes for a little boy, not included in the foundraising, so that he can go back to school. We paid very little between shoes and socks. They are two little brothers ... they live in a difficult situation. They live with their mum, their dad has left, leaving them alone and their mum can't afford to support them. Jamoca would love to take them in and help them, but her house is small and there are already four of them living there. Unfortunately, there is no room for more, but she plans to take them in. So we went back to Jamoca's house and while we were waiting to leave in the direction of Chifubu market, a cat settled on my lap and there was no way I could get him to move. He was purring and licking his paws... by now he had settled comfortably and seemed to be saying, “Don't go anywhere”. Strange, usually cats hate me... haha

We went to Chifubu market, which was a real discovery: it seems the whole community is an open-air market, full of sounds, smells and people everywhere. One thing that struck me immediately was to see how they make the chairs here: they use tree trunks wrapped with fabric, and the result is surprisingly comfortable and also beautiful. The price? 1250 kwacha, about 40 euros.Then, as we were walking, we passed by a house under construction, or rather: a building, with wooden scaffolding stuck between them. And to make matters worse, we saw electricians or handymen working with drills and tools giving off sparks a few centimetres from us, without gloves, goggles or any protection. All in the norm, apparently.

When looking for shoes, we always stood a little further back: because as soon as the sellers saw us, they raised their prices. So we pretended we didn't know our friends, let them negotiate the price... and only approached them at the end to pay. Perfect teamwork! Before we even went to the market, we stopped by the city centre to order the Mapsa Academy logo print on shirts and shorts, and took the opportunity to say hello to our friends who now work in the DAPP shops. Then, with pride, we bought the first three football boots for the boys! In the afternoon in Chifubu we then bought 5 more pairs. Total 8 pairs of shoes which you will see below in the photo!

The last few days were full and also a bit stressful, so in the evening we finally went home, a few episodes of a series to switch off... and then to sleep.

~15 May~ Bad day, but full of plans

I woke up on the wrong foot, one of those days when you already feel in the morning that something isn't right....

But at 11 a.m. I had an important meeting at a local clinic, to talk about some activities I would like to do there, also involving mothers with children and kids from the community.

This clinic is already a point of reference for the Chipulukusu community because it offers free check-ups and has a big outdoor space where we often do activities with young people. It is a place that has so much potential and so much need.

The main activities I will follow with them will be:

● Monthly check-ups for the children, to monitor any signs of malnutrition

● Papilloma virus screening

● Family planning, i.e. activities related to family planning and reproductive health

One of the big news that makes me super happy is that from these experiences I would like to be able to write an article. I'm still trying to figure out how to develop it, but the idea is to tell the real situation in one of the communities in Ndola, where malnutrition - especially among children - is still widespread.

More spoilers!!! The “secret” is that I have started working on another project... basically it is another small personal investigation into food safety in the markets and supermarkets of Ndola. Many of you know how close I am to this topic! In the coming days and weeks I will share more details, but I can already say that there are many unsafe habits, especially in the markets. And that's where the idea comes from to see how we can intervene, what we can propose to help communities, especially young people, who represent the future and are also the people we work with every day.

In the afternoon I would have liked to do something else, but my headache gave me no respite, so I stayed at home.

I rested for a while, then worked with the project leader to organise some activities for the next few weeks, worked out later than usual, had something to eat and went back to studying.

I don't know how much I will be able to finish tonight, but I have started a new course on neuroscience, which I am taking along with one on food safety (to stay up to date!) and one on nature conservation and wildlife. Yes I can't seem to do nothing!

Maybe I'll treat myself to an episode of my favourite series before bed, but then... goodnight! Also because with this headache I'll end up doing half the things. I'll update you tomorrow!

Half of me with the sun on my face, going to work, wearing a Maggie's T-shirt

~16 May~ Words, plans and a bit of fun

Last night, in the end, I only did part of the things I had planned. Then Karo and I got to talking... and we continued until late.

Sometimes talking is really therapeutic, especially after full days like these.

This morning I dedicated it to working on one of the investigations I would like to carry out: I'm putting together ideas, data and everything I need.

I plan to officially start next week!

The afternoon, on the other hand, was super fun, because we had a Fun Friday at Chipulukusu!

After a few more tense and stressful days, I really needed a break. Playing, laughing, being with the guys... it was good!!!

We had fun together with many clubs. I also started planning to meet some of them every week, especially those who are more focused on specific goals, so I can work and help them create new opportunities for themselves for the future.

~17 May~ Sun, football and... cartoons!

Today was an intense day but super nice!

We went out with our new friends DIs, who work for another project here in Ndola, and we went to see a football match of the MAPSA: first the under 15, then the under 19.

Small detail: we burned under the sun... again.

During the game some children arrived, others were already there... they approached, sat next to us and between a "Hi!" and a "How are you?" , we spent some time together.

One of them played magic games with pebbles, another played with pieces of cloth and pebbles, always with a huge smile.

Then I made the biggest mistake of the day (ahahah come on, not really): I took out the phone.

Francis - a football school kid, super smart and with perfect English - took it in hand, went on YouTube and... cartoons for everyone!

Tom & Jerry conquered the audience! They were all glued to the screen, super attentive and happy.

Francis is really special: he translates for others, he always tries to make physical contact... he’s always there attached somewhere! He is super sensitive and empathic ... he is a fantastic child! In the afternoon we visited two new groups formed in a church.

The former wants to produce and sell muffins, the latter aims to sell flour for nshima and, if all goes well, even coal.

The idea is to come back more often on Saturdays, since it is the day when these groups meet.

Maybe we’ll move our day off, we’ll see! ( because currently it’s Saturday and Sunday... normal weekend). Before returning home we passed by the market, and while walking, one of the girls from the club who came with us, took me under her arm and with others we started dancing and singing in the streets! I love it!

I forgot!!! At lunch always our beloved: nshima with sausage and vegetables together with our friends and Jamoca.

Delicious as always, but... the nshima inflates me so much, I roll away every time ahahah!

~18 May~ Cleaning, random meetings and endless waiting

This morning she left for cleaning and laundry!

A few days ago, the girls who live next door asked us if we wanted them to wash our clothes. Of course we said no, it would be missed! But then we realized that in reality they were proposing to earn some money. In short, they wanted to offer themselves to do a bit of the "cleaning lady" for us, in exchange for a little financial help. It is absurd to think how even the simplest things here have an enormous value for someone.

After the laundry, we went to town to buy some supplies for the house and... surprise! We met the girls! Super happy to see them, and they to see us! It’s always nice to meet like this, by chance, and feel welcomed by a smile.

Quick lunch downtown with our friends, the Mexican and the Colombian.

Every now and then we take something already ready at the supermarket, in the gastronomy department. Today with 2 euros I ate rice and soy. Very good, even if the soy was a bit salty... but I don’t put salt anywhere, so everything always seems salty to me!

Then we passed by the bus station: we were waiting from Lusaka for the shoes we had ordered! Other shoes that thanks to your help we are able to buy!

Here the system works like this: the bus also acts as a courier, so you can send parcels from one city to another paying only for transport. Of course... delays on delays, traffic everywhere! So we waited 4 hours before the famous bus arrived at 18:15.

Meanwhile, to trick the wait we gave ourselves an ice cream from Hungry Lion, the local fast food... just because we had 40 minutes of free Wi-Fi ahahah, less actually, but still good! We were also invited to the party of ZESCO, the strongest football team in Ndola, like the local "Serie A". But from some videos that our friend who plays there sent us, we saw that it was all super formal, elegant people everywhere, footballers, managers... and we meanwhile at the bus stop dressed as a day of commissions. So regardless we did not go!

In the end, chill night at home, TV series and torches always on hand, because now without electricity you live easy. I’m getting used to the "survivor" style!