"One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things": Leaving Charles Lwanga

I apologize for any errors, but this is a rush job. I'm leaving this morning (29 November) for Lusaka, on my way to Tanzania! Everything always seems to be rushed when you're trying to leave.

Yesterday evening, I told Mrs. Daka I would be leaving for Lusaka in the morning, but I wasn't sure what time. This morning, I was up at 5:30 to meet Mr. Chulu, the Vice Principal, before he leaves campus. There was some banging around in the kitchen, and I went to investigate. Mrs. Daka was there with a pot full of vegetables and chicken. Not sure what she was up to, I greeted her and mentioned again that I would be leaving sometime this morning. "I have to feed you before you leave!" Up at 5:30 to cook me a full meal before I set off for Tanzania, I almost started crying on the spot. It will be difficult leaving my friends, but leaving my mother is entirely different. Thankfully I will see her, along with the rest of the CLCE staff, when I'm back here for Christmas on my way to South Africa. Even then, leaving Africa won't be all bad. I have a community of friends and family that I will be spending the spring with in Buffalo!

What makes a location feel like home? I would say that home is a place where you feel comfortable, have spent a significant amount of time and are surrounded by friends and family who love and care for you. By this definition, I have three homes. Spokane, Wa, which will slowly become less of a home (I will still have professors who will be lifelong friends, but my peers will leave and campus will change… it already has!). Buffalo, Wy, which will always be home, no matter how long I stay away. The beauty of Buffalo is that I will never be away for long because I love my home and the people in it too much. The same stands true for my third home, Charles Lwanga College of Education. After my previous visit in 2011, I figured that it was a likelihood I would return for a second visit. After my time here over the past 2.5 months, I know that a return trip is a certainty.

What will I miss the most? I suppose there are a few things that will be difficult to leave behind. Watching football in the assembly hall with a large group of rowdy and passionate students (or at Aubrey's house when I want some quiet time). Playing football on a dirt field covered with holes surrounded by people with shoes in poor condition, or no shoes at all (in all fairness, my cleats have been falling apart for the past 2 years…). Buying two or three fritters on my way to 10:30 tea break every day during the week (nobody comes with only one fritter, you can't share one…). Dragging myself out of bed for 6:15am mass 2-3 times per week (everyday was out of the question). Greeting Mr. Mooka in the morning with a pound and a big smile. Relaxing on the steps of the campus store with the ladies for an hour or two almost every day. Discussing traveling and movies with Chrispin over a few beers at the Yellow House (my attempts at keeping pace with the big man have brought about a few difficult mornings). Grilling every time we drank at the Yellow House so we wouldn't get drunk or be hungover for work the following day. Walking to Mundali (a small village 10 minutes away) for dinner with Suyi and Busiku., which happened more often in the past month when I was tired of cooking (not a bad thing, though, as dinner for the three of us cost about $4). Being treated like family during my time here.. I did not feel like a tourist, but rather a part of the Charles Lwanga community. Constantly being tested by the guys in the kitchen, who would only greet me in Tonga. And finally, making a large group of close friends that I will be in contact with for the rest of my life. I brought a few shirts and various items to leave as gifts, but I'm in a tough spot now. Too many good friends… ahh, the troubles of living in Zambia. Suyi, Joseph, John, Busiku, Amos, Dexter, and too many others to list. Saying goodbye is incredibly difficult, which is why I always say see you later. Those aren't just empty words, but rather a promise to return to my home in Zambia.

Thanksgiving meal: Nshima, beans and .... sardines! AHH! Last meal with the students, wouldn't have it any other way

Saying goodbye to the chess players

Sometimes a pair of ripped 4-year-old cleats is cherished more than you could imagine. My good friend John sporting his new boots.

My brothers at Muzei Hostel

I accomplished a few things while I was here. I taught a world geography class to second year students for four weeks, which was a great learning opportunity for me. Teaching students that are the same age as me, from a completely different culture, and without the aid of technology, was a great challenge. My lessons focused on utilizing strategies that my students would be able to take away and use in their own classrooms later on. If they are able to take away one or two strategies or ideas, then my work was definitely a success. Learning and teaching from a different perspective and in a different culture is important, and this experience will help me as a prepare for my job search this spring.
I was the communication connection between Gonzaga and Charles Lwanga for the tennis program that is being formed. While we did not break ground on building the courts, we have laid the foundation for a program that will hopefully revolutionize life in this rural area of Zambia. Not only will students be able to learn a new sport, but they will utilize their skills as teachers to work with children in a sports program that focuses on English skills. A program of this nature, which is not seen in most parts of Zambia, will hopefully create a hub for tennis players in the most unlikely of places.
Just recently, Fr. Kabwe, the president of CLCE, and I have been working on formulating a post-graduate assessment of former CLCE students in the field. This assessment will determine their effectiveness as teachers, and will help CLCE alter and improve its program through the understanding how of graduates of the college are fairing in their current teaching positions. While I am not qualified to create an assessment like this, we have been in contact with the Gonzaga School of Education, which will partner with CLCE to help formulate this groundbreaking assessment.
The final piece of my work involved a Friday afternoon literacy program (check out the description in previous blogs) and the Gonzaga resource library on campus. Between the efforts of Charles Lwanga and our connection with Gonzaga, the literacy levels of children in this area should slowly improve in the future, and will hopefully become a bright spot in a country that is currently struggling with the literacy levels of its children. The Gonzaga resource area includes pencils, crayons, white boards, books, and other learning tools that help aid students in working with young learners. My job has been to take inventory of what resource we have, organize the existing materials, and attempt to create a plan to replenish consumable materials and add to what we already have.

One of the four classes I was able to teach

When preparing to leave, I told Mr. Chulu, the Vice Principal, that I could take a bus to Lusaka and find a hostel before I head to Tanzania. I didn't want CLCE to feel obligated to give me transport or lodging in Lusaka. Well, that's not how things work around here. Mr. Chulu informed me that while I'm still in Zambia, I will be under the care of Charles Lwanga. Fr. Kabwe will be giving me a lift to Lusaka. I will spend a night at St. Ignatius (I love the Jesuits) in Lusaka before traveling by bus to Tanzania.

My next journey will take me to Arusha where I will spend a week with Elly, my guide on Kilimanjaro in 2011. Jordan Edgcomb will arrive on December 7th, and then the exploring will commence. Our itinerary includes: a safari on the Serengeti, relaxing on the beaches of Zanzibar, Christmas at Charles Lwanga, water works at Victoria Falls, New Years in Cape Town, a trip down the "Garden Route" (southern coast of Africa), and any other adventures that cross our path before returning home in January. I will have plenty of pictures to share in my next blog post. I hope you enjoyed, because I surely did!

Until next time,

Chabota

joshdube6@gmail.com