Week 9 in Zambia 🔆🇿🇲

The last few weeks have been a crazy mix of busyness and stress... but hey, I'm still alive! I really need to make some time for myself, even if it's not easy. Living immersed in the community and experiencing real life here fills my heart and gives me a crazy boost!

So... why on earth should I stay stuck at home glued to a computer?!

Every now and then, however, “work” calls, and you also need to find space for those projects that keep you in front of a screen. The important thing is to do it with a smile, knowing that you are contributing to something you truly believe in.

May 26 – Freedom Day with snakes, buffalo and… rice and beans!

Today we celebrate Freedom Day here in Zambia and we couldn't help but celebrate it in style!

This morning Karo and I sat down at the stove and cooked rice and beans for everyone! Then, with our backpacks on, we set off with our friends from the MAPSA team and our DIs colleagues for a trip to Nsobe park, about 1 hour from Ndola.

What a spectacular day! I hugged a snake (yes, you read that right!), got scared by a crocodile that suddenly appeared, and saw antelopes and a giant buffalo!

As soon as we arrived at the park we ate something on the fly, in addition to our rice, we also shared other food bought at the supermarket before reaching the park, immersed in nothingness.

We stayed there all day, immersed in nature.

We came home dead tired, but with full hearts.

Today was a day of freedom, and I enjoyed it to the fullest!!!

Now we sleep: tomorrow a new week full of trainings with the Ministry of Health awaits us!

May 27 – Training, cold and African bureaucracy

Wake up with a bad sore throat… I don’t miss anything!

The evenings have gotten cooler and maybe keeping my hair wet hasn't helped. Add to that the fact that half the population is out there with the flu, and the result is worth it!

The morning started with a health training with the Ministry of Health. There will be courses on pregnancy prevention and infectious diseases.

In the afternoon, mission in the city: we looked for information to register the MAPSA Academy as an official academy. Obviously, as expected, the wait to get any information was endless.

So we returned home with our patience a little worn out.

The day ended with a nice call with DI friends from Lindersvold, India and Malawi. Dinner, chat and relax. In the end, we also had some peace and quiet.

Durante i corsi con i ragazzi!!!

May 28 – Shoes, Courses and Daily Missions

“Normal” day, so to speak.

In the morning the usual courses for the kids, which will continue throughout the week.

In the afternoon we returned to the city, this time for a happier mission: the shoes from the collection finally arrived! A small great joy to share with those in need. You will see on my instagram page and on MAPSA's.

May 29 – Games, kids and “when I have time I do it”

Morning dedicated, as always, to courses with the kids.

During class I took the opportunity to work a bit on an article I'm writing about typical Zambian food - I'll publish it soon! I'm also working on a video about a traditional lunch in a local restaurant. Little by little I'm trying to get through it all... although in the end my motto has become: "when I have time, I do it!" I mean never hahaha ... No kidding...

In the afternoon, the older boys of the Mapalo All Black played: as always, before the match, lunch with nshima, chicken and vegetables (a great classic!).

Then in the field, surrounded by children, among games, laughter and techniques.

It's hard to keep up with everything, but every day I find at least one reason to smile.

May 30-31 and June 1: Between trains, motorbikes and brawls: welcome to the Zambian weekend!

These three days were a concentration of movement, adrenaline and… eaten earth (literally!). Below I tell you some noteworthy episodes that made my Zambian weekend memorable, for better or for worse!

Adrenaline-pumping crossing:

I'm not proud of it, I admit. But it happened. The freight train was moving, very slowly (like walking pace), and we… walked between the cars to cross the tracks. The prospect? An hour of waiting under the sun, so yes: we did it.

The funny part? The same men on the train were talking to us calmly, as if nothing was happening. It seems like a normal thing here. Welcome to Zambia!

Football (and paper shin guards):

Yes, for once I trained too (look at the photo if you don't believe it!!) For a short time, but just to share the moment with the guys on the team. During some games I noticed that they use pieces of plastic or paper as shin guards... absolutely stylish!

Little advice: if you don't want to attract attention, NEVER wear a football uniform if you are already, as they call us, "Musungu". They already look at you just because you are "different", but with their sports jersey on ... you feel like Messi in the spotlight. I am totally embarrassed!

Super manager

Funerals? Maybe yes, maybe no…:

Another fascinating peculiarity is their way of experiencing funerals. When they return, there is no silence: they get on motorbikes or trucks in droves, they shout, they sing, they wave... it almost seems like a parade, not a funeral procession. But deep down, it is beautiful that even in a sad moment they manage to raise a smile.

And speaking of motorcycles…

Monkeys on motorbikes and special encounters

Here they call motorcyclists “monkeys on motorcycles” – said among themselves, with a funny self-irony. That day we also got on a motorcycle to reach a soccer field in the afternoon. Crazy speed, no helmet, lots of dust and adrenaline…

Destination: match with We Football Academy, where we met some Sampdoria players and the co-founder of the company! A precious contact for future collaborations with the boys of our academy.

But I swear, I arrived earth-colored from head to toe!

Karotina

The derby with a brawl (and victory!)

During the famous Chipulukusu derby, a fight breaks out between the big boys. Here, when it happens, EVERYONE runs towards chaos, as if it were a sporting event within an event.

Between misunderstandings on the pitch and some overly vocal fans, tensions skyrocketed… but then everything calmed down.

Our team won 2-1!

Future plans: the academy takes shape

In the evening, tired but energized, we attended a meeting with Jamoca and other supporters. Objective: to officially register the academy and better structure the costs of transportation and organization. An important step for the future of the boys!

And so our weekend ends...

...between sand, football, crazy races, ambitious projects and collective hugs on pickup trucks.

Three days so intense that they seem like a whole week! But every moment here is a new lesson, a new story, a new smile. And I continue to love them, one by one.

For the next few weeks I will try to manage the blog differently, based on the time available! I still have to figure out how... until next time!!!

Martina