Zambia - An insight into a beautiful culture

Usually, when people in the UK think about what life must be like in Zambia they tend to focus on the obvious differences; the warmer climate(!), the languages, the food, some of the traditions and aspects of the Zambian life.

One of my favourite things is when teams come with us over to Zambia and experience the culture for the first time - the sights, smells and sounds can give them sensory overload at first… The sound of many voices singing together in an incredible harmony, the wide smile of an old lady welcoming you to her community, the orange dust on your feet, the cheeky grin of a small child, the texture of Nshima in your mouth as you eat it for the first time, a game of football out in the hot sun and the list goes on…

And yet, even with all these differences I’m struck time and time again by our common loves and surprising similarities. The climate, language and food might be different from ours but we really are more similar than we are different.

Meet the Beyond Ourselves team!

It’s been a while since we wrote a blog but here’s to a brand new ‘regular blog’ era! In fact it’s been so long that we thought it best to start with introductions and a quick “Who’s Who?” at Beyond Ourselves…

Our team in the UK:

Jodie
Jodie has the privilege of overseeing Beyond Ourselves. She took over the initial connection with Zambia from her brother, Ben, back in 2009. Jodie spends most of her time dreaming of ways to make a difference in the communities they are connected to and inspiring others to get involved to make it happen. And if she has to stare at spreadsheets for too long she goes a little crazy!

Karen
Karen was there right at the very beginning of the Zambia connection, so when Beyond Ourselves was born in 2009 it was natural that Karen would be a part of the team. Officially, Karen is in charge of the day-to-day finances, fundraising and events. Unofficially, she provides much needed entertainment and laughter to the team, not to mention the odd song or two…

Rebecca
Rebecca is the new kid on the block, having joined the team earlier this year. She has fit right in and is doing a great job working on our spreadsheets and database system and taking on the Child Sponsorship admin. Jodie and Karen are both very thankful that Rebecca has joined the office team.

Our team in Zambia:

Melissa
Melissa has been an integral part of the Beyond Ourselves team since 2009. She and Dan moved to Zambia in September 2013 to be our hearts, hands and feet over there. Melissa has overseen the Child Sponsorship Programme since it began, as well as be in charge of our creative design and publicity over the years, not to mention a hundred other things she does. She is probably one of the best people to be on team with ever!

Dan
Dan is married to Melissa and has spent the past decade or so being a Primary School teacher in the UK. Since moving to Zambia his official title has become ‘Education Development Advisor’ which means he’s generally doing an incredible job with our partner schools and staff improving the quality of teaching and learning!

Jacob (almost two years old) and Benjamin (just two weeks old!)
Melissa and Dan’s awesome sons! 

Our friends and partners in Zambia:

Enocent and Jennipher
Enocent is a wonderful man and a great friend, and the original contact for us in Zambia. He oversees the Pentecostal Holiness Church in in Zambia. Janna, Greater Joy and Kawama are a part of this church. He is married to Jennipher and we are thrilled to be partnering with them.

Festus and Mercy
Festus has been a friend of ours for over five years now. Janna School in Ndola was the first school Beyond Ourselves partnered with and where we built the first block of classrooms back in 2008. Festus is married to Mercy, the Head Teacher of Janna School.

Ospeck and Angelina
We have known Ospeck since our first visit to Zambia. Ospeck and his wife Angelina are the Directors of Greater Joy School in Kitwe. They have been great partners and we shared their excitement last year when their classroom block was completed, a much needed bore hole was drilled, and Angelina came to visit the UK!

Caphas and Annie
Caphas is the Pastor and Director at Kawama Church and School in Kitwe. After we first met in 2010, things at Kawama have developed quickly and Caphas has taken it all in his stride. He is married to Annie. Oh and he has a great smile!