A snapshot of Zambia

I have neglected to keep you updated these past couple of weeks. I apologize greatly! I’ve also broken my promise to identify the five things I love the most about Zambia on a weekly basis. In honour of my promise, this week I will give you 10 things I love about my life here! Before doing so, here are some contextual tidbits about Zambia. Landlocked at the heart of sub-equatorial Africa, the Republic of Zambia is LARGE and beautiful!! Over one quarter of the population in Zambia live in the two largest urban areas; in the capital Lusaka and the industrial towns of the Copperbelt. The rest of the population is widely spread across rural Zambia, farming for survival.

I found out surprisingly that Zambia is actually one of the world’s poorest and least developed countries. Approximately two thirds of the population live on less than one dollar a day and one in six children die before their fifth birthday. Opposite to these rather depressing facts and harsh realities I encounter most days, here are the happy details of life in Zambia.

Ten things I love about Zambia

1) My new Zambian name. When visiting some community groups in Kabwange, a more rural area of Lusaka, some of the women thought it necessary to name me. I can only assume this was with the intention of fully integrating me into their culture. So please call me Madaliso. (Literal translation = many blessings)

2) How watching muzungus dance throws most Zambians into a side-splitting state of laughter. I am also certain that some of my new friends have secretly dedicated themselves to improving my dancing skills. Apparently, I am THAT embarrassing.

3) Being part of everyone’s family. When making a new acquaintance, you are not a friend but a sister. Or should I say “SISTAAA”? This country is full of love.

4) Coach carts. Sitting in a large metal wagon pulled by two bulls on the worst road in the world is what I consider service! Especially when the bulls have the runs. Oh and let’s not forget the open aired thrashing of the whip covered in feces. You can only imagine that above all I love bull shit on my face. True st

5) My mama. Mama Chicouti, a Mama like no other. A Mama of strength, joy and love. A Mama who threatens to beat me with her nshima spoon if I dare try and help her with anything. Oh how I love my Mama!

6) How comfortable my Zamfam and I have become. To the point where some of them are not afraid to tell me “you are a freak of nature and i love it, and love you.”

7) Walking one hour and a half into the African bush from the roadside with nothing in sight but a few mud huts with the sole purpose of creating new relationships. There is nothing like rural Zambian hospitality.

8) Despite the harsh reality of poverty in Lusaka, most people are more than willing to have a happy conversation and make a new friend. They are even willing to feed you, even if they can’t feed their own families. Zambians are proud and ridiculously welcoming.

9) The [mini]bus system. You think taking the number 2 is bad?! HA. Here there are no rules, no regulations, and absolutely everything is relative. Everything from your fare to your destination is dependant of your conductor.

10) Finally, how Ghana’s World Cup loss silenced the entire region. (My supervisor attended a traditional wedding last Friday night and upon hearing the bad news the 400 wedding guests went from dancing and singing to solemnly staring at the floor. Some may have even shed tears.) Now that is passion.

*I promise to post more often from now on!*