An update from Zambia

Being here for a longer amount of time means I get to do things I don’t always have the time to do on shorter visits. With the teams gone, life is a little less hectic for us here in Zambia now.

I’ve had time to hang out with my colleagues, Dan and Melissa (and their boys), and time to catch up with each of the schools reviewing the past few months and looking ahead.

In those conversations when we think about the future for the schools and communities it can sometimes be overwhelming thinking about how far we still have to go with the schools, and how much resource it will take to see those things happen. Thinking of doing it all alone can be daunting!

So it’s great to connect with people who want to journey with us in some way. This trip I’ve met a mix of people; individuals, organisations and businesses, who make the future look less lonely:

• A local South African lady who has lived here 13 years and has a heart for her local community turned up at one of our schools offering to support the feeding programme there.  Within the week she had organised providing and serving a nutritious lunch one day a week. She hopes to get more of her friends and church involved in the weeks ahead.
• Over the weekend we were introduced to a Kiwi who is working with other community schools in the area. It was great to share ideas and we plan to visit each other’s schools early next week.
• We’ve continued to be connected with another organisation who also have a craft social enterprise here in Ndola. Again it is so encouraging and helpful to share our experiences.
• Next week we’ll be meeting a large craft business/enterprise that has been working in Zambia for many years. We’re looking forward to learning from those who have gone before us!
• And finally, before we fly from Lusaka next week we will be meeting the Public Relations Officer of a large Zambia based corporation who have supported us in the past and are keen to continue this relationship in to the future.

The saying, “together we’re stronger” really does apply when it comes to seeing transformation in the communities we love here.