As I sit listening to some country music (always need a
little taste of home), I am enjoying the first opportunity I have had to reflect
on my journey.
Lets start in London.
I was able to spend four days with some amazing friends that I happened
to meet this summer in Buffalo, Wyo.
It’s funny how things work out.
Alicia, Katie, Anna, and Emily were great hosts, taking me to the coast,
Windsor Castle, and a London club on Saturday night (not quite like the Outback
in Buffalo, but it was OK…). I spent four
nights in four different locations, and enjoyed every second of running around
London with a 75L backpack on my back, and a 32L backpack on my front. Hopefully I will be able to make it back at some point. In a trip that has already seen a great deal
of coincidences, I was able to spend all day Monday with Lindsie Lauzen (one of
my very close Gonzaga friends) and her parents.
They fed me (twice!) and let me tag along sightseeing around
London. That night (16 Sept), I flew off
to Africa, and the Lauzen’s left the next morning for Spain.
 |
| Windsor Castle |
 |
| Brighton |
Now, off to Zambia.
The first person I actually had an extended conversation
with while on the plane/in the airport just happened to be Zambian. I am comfortable saying that Zambians truly
are the warmest and most friendly people on the planet. The people you meet along the way have the
biggest influence on your experiences. When
you’re traveling, especially alone, the comforts of home tend to creep into
your mind. Sometimes a simple event,
like a game of checkers with a group of Zambian children who speak no English on
the side of the road after your car broke down 2 hours from your destination following
a red-eye flight from London, can help you realize why you are out on this
adventure (I don’t care if it’s a run-on sentence). I quickly remembered why it was always so
difficult to describe the pull that Africa had on me. Often times, you cannot recognize or
understand the appeal of something until you put yourself in that
situation. Sure, I might be biased, but
if you have a passion for learning about new cultures and immersing yourself in
a completely foreign way of life, come to Zambia.
What a wonderful welcome I received from the lecturers and
students at Charles Lwanga College of Education (CLCE). I knew one good friend I made last time,
John, was going to be at CLCE. I had a
great meeting with him, and we are already planning a weekend trip to his
hometown of Livingstone (also the home of Victoria Falls). I was doing some work in a lecturer’s office
when Joe, a good friend who I did not realize was still at CLCE, walked
in. Another friend who I had not
anticipated running into, Prince, was playing in a volleyball tournament at the
local boys school. I have also made
strong connections with a few of the lecturers I met in Spokane one month ago,
most notably Mr. Mooka (Physical Education, volleyball coach, head of tennis
program), and Mr. Moono
(Social Studies, soccer coach).
Random occurrences like these, and examples of all the great friends I
have here, might give you a better understanding of why I was so willing to
come back to Zambia without any sort of solidified plan or itinerary. The day before I arrived at CLCE, I found out
that Katy, a Seattle University student, is also here working on implementing a
writing center.
 |
| Me and my friend Joseph |
 |
| Catholic church at CLCE |
As it turns out, I did find a project to work on while at
CLCE. Through the efforts of CLCE and
Gonzaga, we will be working on starting tennis and swimming programs here in
Zambia. As you can imagine, these types of programs are not the norm in Zambia. That's what makes this project so special. These programs will not only teach children, Charles Lwanga students, and other community members how to play/swim, but will also work on building language skills through sport. My job is to be the connection
between CLCE and everyone working on this project back home. I have taken pictures, reported on the
condition of the swimming pool (which has been out of use since the 90s), and
work with CLCE lecturers to plan and build the tennis courts. I will be accompanying three lecturers to
Lusaka (the capital) to seek out contractors to put in the courts. The plan is to get an estimate and start work on building the courts as soon as possible. We will also work on figuring out the cost
and process of renovating and updating the swimming pool. The basketball courts will also be upgraded at a later stage. I might not be an expert tennis player or
swimmer, but that is not really the point.
I am here for communication, making sure these programs are sustained
and correctly implemented, as well as whatever else I can work on. The lecturers who are heading this program
are very capable, and incredibly
enthusiastic, about starting and sustaining these programs. There is an electric feel around here, and I am so glad to be in the middle of it.
 |
| Charles Lwanga Swimming Pool |
 |
| Men working on uprooting trees surrounding the tennis courts |
 |
| Future location of the two tennis courts |
This upcoming week has me off to
Lusaka for two days, taking cooking lessons with Mrs. Daka (I will learn some
traditional Zambian meals), playing plenty of football, and whatever unknown
project that will most certainly spring up at some point. Like I said before, please leaves comments or questions below, I would love to discuss/answer anything!
