Twelfth week in Zambia🔆🇿🇲

Week from June 16 to June 22

Funniest moments:

"A birthday, lots of laughter, and... a surprise ending!"

1. One of the best afternoons of the week was spent at Ethel’s grandmother’s house to celebrate her birthday together. As soon as we arrived, we were greeted with warm smiles and traditional dishes cooked by the family. And then the real party began: dancing, singing, and laughter! The energy was contagious, and grandma… a true force of nature!

2. The next day, the energy didn’t drop: matches, victories on the field, and lots of happiness. The boys and girls gave their best, and going back home with songs and laughter felt like closing a circle of pure energy.

…and well, let’s be honest: my stomach had its own plans too. Imodium became my best friend of the day. But that’s part of the journey — we laugh, run (in every sense), and live!

What I Learned – The Sweetest Moment:

"Understanding Without Words"

There is a boy who always comes to the field. He doesn’t speak, he can’t hear... but his presence is constant, silent, and very powerful.

Every day I sit a little closer to him. Little by little, I’m learning to know him — and, above all, to truly understand him.

One day something special happened: we "talked" without voice, without words. Yet, we understood each other. I can’t even explain how, but through looks, smiles, and presence, we now understand each other!

He taught me that the most authentic listening doesn’t come from sound, but from the willingness to really be there, with an open heart.

A simple... unforgettable moment.

News and Achievements of the Week:

"Training, transformations, and time for myself"

• This week I decided to accept Jamoca’s invitation and join the morning training with the Under-19 team. Up at 6 a.m., then a 40-minute walk to the field in Chipulukusu, where we spend most of our days now. A wonderful commitment, though tiring. I did some exercises with the boys and then started running while they worked on technique. The best part? Even at 7 in the morning, the super energetic kids started training with me, running and following my exercises... they’re adorable!!! Next week I’ll go again, Tuesday and Wednesday... let’s see if I survive!

• Another achievement? Undoing my braids: four and a half hours of patience and then… transformation into a lion! Everyone here was surprised by my new look — honestly, I didn’t like the braids, so now I’m back to straight hair. Still... an epic feat!

• On another day this week, I decided to take some time just for myself. Between computer work, a bit of training, a quiet lunch, and lots of silence, it was my own moment. Always a challenge... because it’s rare to really find time for myself. But how important is it to do it every now and then? From now on, a half day mandatory for handling personal things and relaxing a bit, since we are busy and work even on weekends!

Youth Commemoration Day:

On Monday, to start the week off right, we woke up and… surprise! We got a call from the project leader: it’s Youth Commemoration Day! We literally found out that morning… or at least we found out that morning that we had to participate on behalf of our organization. News here is always fresh, and no one really cares about our prior plans. We changed our plans and headed straight to the stadium. The organization we work with is a partner of the event and they called us to represent them.

Photo of the Week:

The best team

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News on the Website

New photos coming soon in the Portfolio section! I’m uploading authentic shots from these past weeks — from matches, everyday moments, to unexpected smiles. Every photo tells a story and a piece of Zambia.

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Thanks to everyone who continues to support us.