Dear Swansea friends and family!
As we near the end of our Zambian phase and prepare to go our separate ways in a week and a half (sob sob!) we wanted to give you a flavour of some of the things we’ve been up to over here.
There’s been so much going on it’s hard to know where to begin! Firstly you’d be impressed to see how our host parents have us trained – sticking to 6 or 7pm curfew and doing our fair share of chores and (for the girls) cooking. In good old Swansea tradition we had a BBQ with host families a couple of weeks ago.
For this phase we decided to do three big Community Action Days, instead of lots of smaller ones as we did in Swansea. The first was our community welcome, held in a square in the town centre. This brought together lots of local people and organisations, allowing us to provide information on key local issues such as water and sanitation, HIV/AIDS and gender based violence, as well as GX providing lots of fun and entertainment of course.
Our second CAD was a ‘Smile Day’ at Mwagwero School for the deaf. We thoroughly enjoyed putting on a day of activities including drama, sport, jewelry and banner making for the lovely pupils.
Last Saturday we all became actors for our final CAD. The team prepared a variety of sketches to sensitise on HIV/AIDS, water and sanitation, sustainable farming methods, gender based violence and children’s rights.
Our Global Citizenship Days have been a great success and we've taught eachother loads about topics ranging from child headed households to witchcraft. During the GCDs we've also engaged the community through surveys, sensitising on the topics we've learned about and running a games session for children in a community school. We've also had weekly local radio interviews on our GCD topics and other key issues, so we're now famous in Chipata!
We’ve been lucky enough to be invited to a few weddings and Luchembe and ‘Zikalo’ (Dom now has a Zambian name!) impressed us by being part of amazingly choreographed and performed ‘line ups’ - eight young people performing Zambian style dances during the ceremonies and reception.
We’ve celebrated a few birthdays and also Ngawa’s engagement! All a good excuse for us to give the local nightclub some of our best Zambian dance moves.
The GX netball and football teams have been out challenging local teams at the weekends (we’d be lying if we said we’ve won every match!) and the UK volunteers have been getting used to Sunday mornings being spent in church.
We enjoyed our Mid Phase Review at a lodge just outside Chipata. As well as the weekend being packed full of sessions, we had a mini sports day and even managed some swimming and boating in the damn beside. Next week some of our debrief will take place at Mfuwe National Park, so we hope to catch a glimpse of lions and elephants.
All in all the team is having a wonderful time together and we’re going to be devastated to say goodbye to Chipata and eachother. We miss you loads, hope all is well in Swansea and look forward to hearing from you. Don’t forget to have a look at our blog www.swanseazambiateam94.blogspot.com where there’s much more detail about stuff we’ve been up to and even some pretty fine poems from the team!
Lots of love,
GX Team 94 xxx
Monday 31 August 2009
Mndemba Day!
On Saturday 22nd August Team 94 traveled to Mndemba village to do our final Community Action Day. Mndemba is a village 45mins outside Chipata, within which GCPDO, one of the volunteer work placements, is operating to encourage community development.
The programme for the day was made up of five different sessions. In groups of 3/4 people we prepared and presented to roughly 100 villagers on the topics:
1) Water and Sanitation – Charlotte, Maggie, Fatness, Matt
2) Gender Based Violence – YWCA Drama Group
3) HIV/AIDS – Vally, Paul, Prudence
4) Children’s Rights – Jackson, Eliot, Christina and Jessy
5) Agriculture – Tommy, Matt, Mwata and Naomi
Through a mixture of the role plays, flipcharts and sharing of leaflets we sensitised the people on the topics. It was a great day, the audience responded well, interacted and Team 94 was happy.
The programme for the day was made up of five different sessions. In groups of 3/4 people we prepared and presented to roughly 100 villagers on the topics:
1) Water and Sanitation – Charlotte, Maggie, Fatness, Matt
2) Gender Based Violence – YWCA Drama Group
3) HIV/AIDS – Vally, Paul, Prudence
4) Children’s Rights – Jackson, Eliot, Christina and Jessy
5) Agriculture – Tommy, Matt, Mwata and Naomi
Through a mixture of the role plays, flipcharts and sharing of leaflets we sensitised the people on the topics. It was a great day, the audience responded well, interacted and Team 94 was happy.
Smile Day!
On Saturday 1st August 2009 team 94 did a Community Action Day (CAD) at Magwero School for the Deaf, about 30 mins away from Chipata town. We wanted to learn more about how children live with disabilities and give the pupils a fun day to remember.
We arrived at the school to a friendly welcome – all the kids were very excited to see us there and what we had to offer. We began the day by having a sign language lesson for an hour, learning some of the basics. This was really fun and helped us when communicating with the deaf children that afternoon.
During the day we did lots of different activities with the kids…Sports (football, baseball, volleyball, netball), jewelry making, making smiley face masks, dancing/drumming, group circle games, physical drama around the theme of climate change and making a ‘Smile Day’ banner.
The kids were in groups of 15 and rotated around each activity after 20 minutes so they had a chance to do each activity. The kids really enjoyed the day and learnt lots of new skills. Team 94 learnt a lot about how to work with deaf children as none of us had that experience before.
At the end of the day we took lots of photos, said our goodbyes and presented the school with some gifts. We gave them exercise books, pencils, pens, felt tips, chalk and paper. In schools in Zambia the facilities and equipment are very basic and minimal so it made a difference to the school to have these gifts. We also presented them with the ‘Smile day’ banner for them to put up in their school hall and remember us by. The banner said ‘GX Smile Day 2009’ and around it everyone had drawn round their hand and written a message or drawn a picture inside it.
Smile Day was a big success and all the pupils and team 94 had a good time. It was a life changing experience for some people who are now determined to learn sign language and it was the sort of experience we’ll never forget. The experience also taught the volunteers a lot about communicating with people with disabilities and learning difficulties. It has given us all more confidence to interact with a wider range of people from with diverse needs whilst developing knowledge and experience on how to run sessions and interact with youths. ‘Smile Day’ definitely lived up to its name!
We arrived at the school to a friendly welcome – all the kids were very excited to see us there and what we had to offer. We began the day by having a sign language lesson for an hour, learning some of the basics. This was really fun and helped us when communicating with the deaf children that afternoon.
During the day we did lots of different activities with the kids…Sports (football, baseball, volleyball, netball), jewelry making, making smiley face masks, dancing/drumming, group circle games, physical drama around the theme of climate change and making a ‘Smile Day’ banner.
The kids were in groups of 15 and rotated around each activity after 20 minutes so they had a chance to do each activity. The kids really enjoyed the day and learnt lots of new skills. Team 94 learnt a lot about how to work with deaf children as none of us had that experience before.
At the end of the day we took lots of photos, said our goodbyes and presented the school with some gifts. We gave them exercise books, pencils, pens, felt tips, chalk and paper. In schools in Zambia the facilities and equipment are very basic and minimal so it made a difference to the school to have these gifts. We also presented them with the ‘Smile day’ banner for them to put up in their school hall and remember us by. The banner said ‘GX Smile Day 2009’ and around it everyone had drawn round their hand and written a message or drawn a picture inside it.
Smile Day was a big success and all the pupils and team 94 had a good time. It was a life changing experience for some people who are now determined to learn sign language and it was the sort of experience we’ll never forget. The experience also taught the volunteers a lot about communicating with people with disabilities and learning difficulties. It has given us all more confidence to interact with a wider range of people from with diverse needs whilst developing knowledge and experience on how to run sessions and interact with youths. ‘Smile Day’ definitely lived up to its name!
Saturday 22 August 2009
Work placements
Ness and Franklin
YWCA... stands for Young Women's Christian Association. They deal with issues of Gender Based Violence, mainly involving cases of spousal battery, defilement, child abuse, property grabbing, rape and matrionial despute.
At the Co-ordinated Response clients come in for counselliong, paralegal advice and to seek shelter. YWCA also runs sensitisation programmes in the community and runs workshops.
One thing we have achieved is we planned, implimented and facilitated workshops on GBV issues in four different schools in Chipata. At the end we organised a quiz and debayed contest between schools, which clearly indicated how much the pupils had learnt.
****************************************************
Paul and Valley
Kwacha Kum'awa
- Distibutes information to the youth about issues such as abstinence, condomising and HIV/AIDS through the magazine
-Goes into schools and churches to talk about these issues.
-We achieved educating the youth
-Enjoyed most talking to the women in the church and seeing the participation activity.
*****************************************************
Luchembe and Eliot
Youth Care Entertainment
YCE is a organisation that focuses on empowering, educating and entertaining youths through thte mediums of music, film and sports. Its main area of work is in the Mchini compound within Chipata district.
During the past three months Eliot and Luchembe have spent most of their time planning a youth development and resource centre that will be set up within the Mchini compound. They hope this will have a positive impact on the community and be of much use to YCE and Mchini.
***************************************************
Matt and Mwata
St Paul's Anglican Project
St Paul's is a faith based NGO that works with many projects including agriculture, health, women empowerment, youths and water and sanitation. During our time with them we have supported people living with HIV/AIDS, designed and delivered workshops on water sanitation, waterborne diseases, HIV/AIDS and malaria and also trained a youth group in Chipungu village to continue to disseminate information in a sustainable way to surrounding villages.
************************************************
Jackson and Jessy
Young Happy Healthy Safe
YHHS focus on creating a happy, healthy an dsafe environment for young people. It works in rural communities and within schools providing sexuality and life skills. It works with traditional initiators in an effort to challenge traditions that pose a risk to young people.
At our workplacement we ahve enjoyed creating a web blog for our organisation, which will hopefully be soemthing sustainable for the NGO. Please visit www.younghappyhealthyandsafe.blogspot.com.
*****************************************
Maggie, Ngawa and Tommy
Great Commission for People Development and Orphans
GCPDO empowers rural communities in the Eastern Province of Zambia to eradicate poverty through sustainable development by trageting education, income-generating activiites, food security production, health, nutrition, HIV/AIDS, water-sanitation and advocacy in lobbying.
We ahve built relationships through focus group discussions with people in the communities we are trying to help in order to create accurate brochures on the above topics. It's been an amazing experience and we've learnt so much about community development and attitues towards change.
**********************************
Christina and Mwansa
Treatment Advocacy Literacy Campaign
Our organisation is on advocacy and treatment of people living with HIV/AIDS. We enjoyed working together and comminicating well, and meeting people with different experience of HIV such as nurses, doctors, ministers and support groups. We achieved the sensitisation fo mothers on female condoms and research and advocacy for improvement of ART (anti-retroviral therapy)
*************************************
Prudence and Charlotte
Tikondane Home Based Care Foundation
Tikondane is an organisation involved in HIV/AIDS awareness, prevention and care and support for people living with HIV/AIDS. It also provides support and activities for orphans and vulnerable children and children affected by HIV/AIDS. As well as helping out with the great variety of activities and projects taking place within the organisation we also initiated a project. We planned and implemented a jewellery making activity and co-operative in order to provide an activity for clients which teaches skills, brings communities together, provides a gathering for focused group discussions and sensitisation, as well as being an income generating activity.
YWCA... stands for Young Women's Christian Association. They deal with issues of Gender Based Violence, mainly involving cases of spousal battery, defilement, child abuse, property grabbing, rape and matrionial despute.
At the Co-ordinated Response clients come in for counselliong, paralegal advice and to seek shelter. YWCA also runs sensitisation programmes in the community and runs workshops.
One thing we have achieved is we planned, implimented and facilitated workshops on GBV issues in four different schools in Chipata. At the end we organised a quiz and debayed contest between schools, which clearly indicated how much the pupils had learnt.
****************************************************
Paul and Valley
Kwacha Kum'awa
- Distibutes information to the youth about issues such as abstinence, condomising and HIV/AIDS through the magazine
-Goes into schools and churches to talk about these issues.
-We achieved educating the youth
-Enjoyed most talking to the women in the church and seeing the participation activity.
*****************************************************
Luchembe and Eliot
Youth Care Entertainment
YCE is a organisation that focuses on empowering, educating and entertaining youths through thte mediums of music, film and sports. Its main area of work is in the Mchini compound within Chipata district.
During the past three months Eliot and Luchembe have spent most of their time planning a youth development and resource centre that will be set up within the Mchini compound. They hope this will have a positive impact on the community and be of much use to YCE and Mchini.
***************************************************
Matt and Mwata
St Paul's Anglican Project
St Paul's is a faith based NGO that works with many projects including agriculture, health, women empowerment, youths and water and sanitation. During our time with them we have supported people living with HIV/AIDS, designed and delivered workshops on water sanitation, waterborne diseases, HIV/AIDS and malaria and also trained a youth group in Chipungu village to continue to disseminate information in a sustainable way to surrounding villages.
************************************************
Jackson and Jessy
Young Happy Healthy Safe
YHHS focus on creating a happy, healthy an dsafe environment for young people. It works in rural communities and within schools providing sexuality and life skills. It works with traditional initiators in an effort to challenge traditions that pose a risk to young people.
At our workplacement we ahve enjoyed creating a web blog for our organisation, which will hopefully be soemthing sustainable for the NGO. Please visit www.younghappyhealthyandsafe.blogspot.com.
*****************************************
Maggie, Ngawa and Tommy
Great Commission for People Development and Orphans
GCPDO empowers rural communities in the Eastern Province of Zambia to eradicate poverty through sustainable development by trageting education, income-generating activiites, food security production, health, nutrition, HIV/AIDS, water-sanitation and advocacy in lobbying.
We ahve built relationships through focus group discussions with people in the communities we are trying to help in order to create accurate brochures on the above topics. It's been an amazing experience and we've learnt so much about community development and attitues towards change.
**********************************
Christina and Mwansa
Treatment Advocacy Literacy Campaign
Our organisation is on advocacy and treatment of people living with HIV/AIDS. We enjoyed working together and comminicating well, and meeting people with different experience of HIV such as nurses, doctors, ministers and support groups. We achieved the sensitisation fo mothers on female condoms and research and advocacy for improvement of ART (anti-retroviral therapy)
*************************************
Prudence and Charlotte
Tikondane Home Based Care Foundation
Tikondane is an organisation involved in HIV/AIDS awareness, prevention and care and support for people living with HIV/AIDS. It also provides support and activities for orphans and vulnerable children and children affected by HIV/AIDS. As well as helping out with the great variety of activities and projects taking place within the organisation we also initiated a project. We planned and implemented a jewellery making activity and co-operative in order to provide an activity for clients which teaches skills, brings communities together, provides a gathering for focused group discussions and sensitisation, as well as being an income generating activity.
Tuesday 18 August 2009
Thursday 13 August 2009
GX are poets and do know it!
Ngawa and Vally
Newborn foals run behind their mothers,
Newborn chicks toddle after the hens,
Just like this special friendship in our counterpart pair.
I have a counterpart who is amazing, fun and just unique and different.
She is very nice and caring.
I love her because she is always there to uplift my spirit when I am feeling low,
And always by my side in hard times.
How sweet it is to have such a wonderful person for a counterpart.
Mwata and Christina
We laugh
Bumping painfully along Katapola road.
We laugh
Cooking and concoctingwonderous things.
We laugh
Singing of “our favourite things”.
We laugh
In self pity when we feel alone in our net.
We laugh
Knowingly eyeing eachother, readingour thoughts.
We laugh
No matter how miserable.
We laugh
Together but most of all Mwata laughs!
Tommy and Paul
Poem on Social Action by Tommy:
I’ve come to Zambia to open my eyes,
I’ve been affected by numerous lies,
The government says tat they’re on the mend,
But they’re driving their people round the bend,
And so I reflect on home pastures green,
I realize then it’s the same story seen.
So what can I do to change people’s lives?
I’ll do what I can to open their eyes.
A Guy Called Pauly
Pauly is a Zambian guy originally from Livingstone. He loves watching soccer and Chelsea is the team he supports. Pauly loves merry making and currently has no special partner. He loves dramatic movies specifically Nigerians. He has hopes one day to be a
movie star or play alongside Didier Drogba.
Jackson and Eliot
Viva, spending time together.
Abash, Being together never.
Viva, Nyanja speak forever.
Abash, our problems being our tether.
Viva, to be friends is our endeavour.
Fatness and Ness
A Poem for My Counterpart by Fatness
We were living in Swansea.
My cp was really lovely and welcoming.
We really used to have a wonderful time together.
She supported me in so many ways.
She is really amazing and a great person.
We spend time together.
She is my inspiration.
A Poem About My Counterpart by Ness
My counterpart is really amazing,
She helps meeveryday.
She gives meadvice, she shares her thoughts,
She helps me find my way.
My counterpart is really special,
The strongest person I know,
She’s beautiful and understated,
Her friendship has mademegrow.
My counterpart is really amazing,
She evenbrins me breakfast in bed.
She looks after mewhen my backaches,
And makes sure I’malways wellfed.
My counterpart is really special,
Being her friend makes me proud,
Every time I’m with her it feels…
Like I’m bouncing along on a cloud.
My counterpart is really amazing,
When I leave here I will miss her.
Nikukonda with all my heart Fatness,
Thank you for being my sister.
Prudence and Maggie
Maggie Thomas, Maggie Thomas…
Who is Maggie Thomas?...
Maggie Thomas is my counterpart pair…
She is being good to me…
A friend, a sister, a mom and everything I have never come across.
Jessy and Mwansa
This is a story all about how,
Mwansa and Jessy met in Swansea town.
We’d like to take a minute - just sit right there,
We’ll tell you how we became Mwansa and Jessy pair.
On April 1st 2009 Dom and Henry made the beautiful pair.
We moved into our house with Jan and Mike
Where we stayed for one month never did we fight.
We went through everything good and bad too,
But we chatted and we hugged,
Everything we got through.
Now we are here in Chipata having so much fun,
Mwansa and Jessy ever stronger we become!
Matembe Song
Matembe
Mm mm ah
You wake up
Mm mm ah
You walk
Mm mm ah
You work
Mm mm ah
You have fun
Mm mm ah
You come back
Mm mm ah
You want to
Mm mm ah
Relax
Mm mm ah
Matembe
Mm mm ah
I like it
Mm mm ah
Your support
Mm mm ah
Your maturity
Mm mm ah
Your understanding
Mm mm ah
Your commitment
Mm mm ah
To GX
Mm mm ah
WONDUF!!!
Naomi, Charlotte, Franklin
We are a merry counterpart three,
Naomi, Franklin and Charlottey.
In Swansea we had lots of fun –
We ate welshcakes and lots of buns.
Now the terrific trio are in Zambia-
They’ve swapped their welshcakes for nshima.
A happy three we may be
But we’re no poets as you can see!
Newborn foals run behind their mothers,
Newborn chicks toddle after the hens,
Just like this special friendship in our counterpart pair.
I have a counterpart who is amazing, fun and just unique and different.
She is very nice and caring.
I love her because she is always there to uplift my spirit when I am feeling low,
And always by my side in hard times.
How sweet it is to have such a wonderful person for a counterpart.
Mwata and Christina
We laugh
Bumping painfully along Katapola road.
We laugh
Cooking and concoctingwonderous things.
We laugh
Singing of “our favourite things”.
We laugh
In self pity when we feel alone in our net.
We laugh
Knowingly eyeing eachother, readingour thoughts.
We laugh
No matter how miserable.
We laugh
Together but most of all Mwata laughs!
Tommy and Paul
Poem on Social Action by Tommy:
I’ve come to Zambia to open my eyes,
I’ve been affected by numerous lies,
The government says tat they’re on the mend,
But they’re driving their people round the bend,
And so I reflect on home pastures green,
I realize then it’s the same story seen.
So what can I do to change people’s lives?
I’ll do what I can to open their eyes.
A Guy Called Pauly
Pauly is a Zambian guy originally from Livingstone. He loves watching soccer and Chelsea is the team he supports. Pauly loves merry making and currently has no special partner. He loves dramatic movies specifically Nigerians. He has hopes one day to be a
movie star or play alongside Didier Drogba.Jackson and Eliot
Viva, spending time together.
Abash, Being together never.
Viva, Nyanja speak forever.
Abash, our problems being our tether.
Viva, to be friends is our endeavour.
Fatness and Ness
A Poem for My Counterpart by Fatness
We were living in Swansea.
My cp was really lovely and welcoming.
We really used to have a wonderful time together.
She supported me in so many ways.
She is really amazing and a great person.
We spend time together.
She is my inspiration.
A Poem About My Counterpart by Ness
My counterpart is really amazing,
She helps meeveryday.
She gives meadvice, she shares her thoughts,
She helps me find my way.
My counterpart is really special,
The strongest person I know,
She’s beautiful and understated,
Her friendship has mademegrow.
My counterpart is really amazing,
She evenbrins me breakfast in bed.
She looks after mewhen my backaches,
And makes sure I’malways wellfed.
My counterpart is really special,
Being her friend makes me proud,
Every time I’m with her it feels…
Like I’m bouncing along on a cloud.
My counterpart is really amazing,
When I leave here I will miss her.
Nikukonda with all my heart Fatness,
Thank you for being my sister.
Prudence and Maggie
Maggie Thomas, Maggie Thomas…
Who is Maggie Thomas?...
Maggie Thomas is my counterpart pair…
She is being good to me…
A friend, a sister, a mom and everything I have never come across.
Jessy and Mwansa
This is a story all about how,
Mwansa and Jessy met in Swansea town.
We’d like to take a minute - just sit right there,
We’ll tell you how we became Mwansa and Jessy pair.
On April 1st 2009 Dom and Henry made the beautiful pair.
We moved into our house with Jan and Mike
Where we stayed for one month never did we fight.
We went through everything good and bad too,
But we chatted and we hugged,
Everything we got through.
Now we are here in Chipata having so much fun,
Mwansa and Jessy ever stronger we become!
Matembe Song
Matembe
Mm mm ah
You wake up
Mm mm ah
You walk
Mm mm ah
You work
Mm mm ah
You have fun
Mm mm ah
You come back
Mm mm ah
You want to
Mm mm ah
Relax
Mm mm ah
Matembe
Mm mm ah
I like it
Mm mm ah
Your support
Mm mm ah
Your maturity
Mm mm ah
Your understanding
Mm mm ah
Your commitment
Mm mm ah
To GX
Mm mm ah
WONDUF!!!
Naomi, Charlotte, Franklin
We are a merry counterpart three,
Naomi, Franklin and Charlottey.
In Swansea we had lots of fun –
We ate welshcakes and lots of buns.
Now the terrific trio are in Zambia-
They’ve swapped their welshcakes for nshima.
A happy three we may be
But we’re no poets as you can see!
Monday 20 July 2009
Dear Swansea...
Bwanji Swansea!
Greetings from sunny Zambia! GX team 94 have been here for a month now and we want to say hello to you, some of the lovely people we met, lived or worked with over the three months in Wales.
Chipata is a wonderfully welcoming community so although it’ very different here to Swansea we’ve settled in well. We are enjoying learning loads from living and working in this new community, but or course there is so much we miss from Swansea, including you wonderful people.
At the moment we don’t really have internet access so can’t keep you updated individually by e-mail, but will do our best for everyone to be regularly contributing to the blog.
We want to say a massive thank you to you for out time in Swansea. The months we spent there were truly fantastic and an experience we shall never forget.
Lots of love and thanks,
Global Xchange Team 94
Greetings from sunny Zambia! GX team 94 have been here for a month now and we want to say hello to you, some of the lovely people we met, lived or worked with over the three months in Wales.
Chipata is a wonderfully welcoming community so although it’ very different here to Swansea we’ve settled in well. We are enjoying learning loads from living and working in this new community, but or course there is so much we miss from Swansea, including you wonderful people.
At the moment we don’t really have internet access so can’t keep you updated individually by e-mail, but will do our best for everyone to be regularly contributing to the blog.
We want to say a massive thank you to you for out time in Swansea. The months we spent there were truly fantastic and an experience we shall never forget.
Lots of love and thanks,
Global Xchange Team 94
Chipata Community Welcome
Sunny Saturday 4th July saw Team 94’s Chipata Community Welcome. Barclay’s Square, normally a car park and unofficial taxi rank, was cleared of its usual vehicles, decked with GX banners, Welsh and Zambian flags, and transformed into a place of GX entertainment and information.
Between 10:00 and 14:00 hundreds of GX friends, families and passers-by were drawn to the music, dancing and games, and by their curiosity to learn more about the green T-shirted group of young people who had descended on their town.
Visitors to the event enjoyed Zambian and GX style dancing (is the hokey kokey really the UK equivalent of traditional Zambian dancing…?!), singing Welsh and Zambian songs, as well as some wonderful performances from local schools, music and drama groups.
Stalls around the square gave everyone the opportunity to voice their opinions and concerns on crucial local issues. GX members and local organisations had information and feedback stalls on key matters including HIV/AIDS, water and sanitation, gender based sexual violence and Global Xchange itself.
All in all, it was a wonderful beginning to what promises to be a fun-filled and fruitful Zambian phase for Team 94.
Between 10:00 and 14:00 hundreds of GX friends, families and passers-by were drawn to the music, dancing and games, and by their curiosity to learn more about the green T-shirted group of young people who had descended on their town.
Visitors to the event enjoyed Zambian and GX style dancing (is the hokey kokey really the UK equivalent of traditional Zambian dancing…?!), singing Welsh and Zambian songs, as well as some wonderful performances from local schools, music and drama groups.
Stalls around the square gave everyone the opportunity to voice their opinions and concerns on crucial local issues. GX members and local organisations had information and feedback stalls on key matters including HIV/AIDS, water and sanitation, gender based sexual violence and Global Xchange itself.
All in all, it was a wonderful beginning to what promises to be a fun-filled and fruitful Zambian phase for Team 94.
Monday 13 July 2009
Words from Zambia
Team 94 is loving life during the Zambian phase. Here are some of our thoughts and reflections on Chipata and Swansea.
JACKSON
Well the things that I miss the most in Swansea are
The library where I was accessing free internet
The Caswell, Langland and Mumbles beaches where I could enjoy the view of the sea whenever I had time.
My workplacement coz of the mixture of activities I was doing, not forgetting the friendships with the staff and clients.
My wonderful host home and mom Terryl.
Zaki and Nattica through just being with them
The list is endless, lemme just say Swansea is my second home.
Things that I find interesting here in Chipata:
My workplacement coz of the focus of youth programmes in the organization. Not only that but also the integration of the traditional counselors (alangizi) in their programmes to help reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS and other STIs by changing bad traditional practices which sometimes does.
My host parents coz they are both open and very easy to talk to.
People asking me about GX. This has even enhanced my understanding of the programme.
If Swansea was an animal it could have been a dog coz I saw lots of dogs in Swansea than ever. And if Chipata was an animal it could have been a gecko coz I see them lots - almost in ever house. But please don't share this with my host parents!
************************************
TOMMY
An interesting tradition in Chipata:
Learning about water and sanitation at GCPDO we learned that the major issue facing getting good sanitation for people in rural villages is villagers' attitude. People do not like admitting that they go to the loo and prefer to go to the bush. Elderly are not considered to need the loo and when they do go, they return from the bush with twigs and sticks (often just one stick) to show that they actually went to get firewood!
A day at work in Chipata at Great Commission for People Development and Orphans:Wake up, meet Elliot, Matt, Luchembe and host brother Nic for early morning jog. 6am - go for jog, get chased by dogs or children or pounced on by sticks pretending to be snakes. Back home to have a "bath" - bucket of heated water and have lunch made for me by host sisters. Grab some coffee and peanut butter sandwiches and head off for work. Pass the children who always yell "How are you?" and try to answer them all, and say "Good morning!" to anyone else that makes eye contact. Arrive at work 8am and practise the Nyanja (local language) Ngawa has taught me as everone in the office greets you "Moli bwanji?" "Bwino, moli bwanji?" "Bwino!". Have a chat with Maggie and Ngawa (includes a gossip about Maidenhead and Nyanja lessons) go to a meeting and learn about GCPDO after saying a morning prayer. Lunchtime sees the visit from Naomi and Fatness, where we all learn of Naomi's hormonal activities and the numerous blokes she fancies!!! Afternoon and we work to finish the brochure on water and sanitation to be distributed to the 12 rural areas GCPDO works in in Eastern Province and the tea and biscuits arrive. We chat with our boss, Smatt Banda and Pastor Elimon a bout witchcraft and traditions of Zambia and finish work at 5pm where I stick my ipod in and dance home. I read my Rough Guide to Global Warming book, watch some Nigerian movies and eat some tiny fishes (heads included) and nshima, wash up with my counterpart, Paul, despite our sister insisting that they'll do it. Have Bible studies and go to bed.
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NAOMI
What is your favourite Nyanja (local Zambian language) word?
"Ku ikankonzelu!" - it means "concentrate!"
Describe a difference between Swansea and Chipata.
Attitude to time. In the UK running 30mins is late, here waiting 2hours for a bus or a concert to begin is normal.
If Wales and Zambia were animals what sort would they be?
Wales - gotta be the Welsh dragon, but a friendly one which uses its fire to toast Welsh cakes for people. Zambia - a baby rhino named ketchup.
What do you miss most about Swansea?
Divine Fairtrade 70% Cocoa choc bars (83p from Tescos, bargain!)
Interesting tradition in Swansea
Tea and Welsh cakes at ever opportunity, love it!
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FATNESS
What do you find most challenging in Chipata?
Well Chipata is really a nice place, people are so welcoming and friendly. We are placed into different placement, but the most challenging is that it is hot and walk long distance to our work placement. So that's a challenge to me.
If Wales and Zambia were animals what sort would they be and why?
I would probably point out a monkey. I picked a monkey because monkeys are harmless and they are so friendly - if I offer a banana to the monkey then we become friends. So this is how Wales and Zambia is - people are so friendly and nice.
Describe your favourite GX moment.
My favourite GX moment was when we had a GX Factor at St Helens because we met different people, and making organisations to get together and played different games. And the other one is when we had our CAD at Down to Earth. We really shared different types of stories and played games with our host families.
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VALLY
Hmm... I couldn't possibly choose just one favourite thing about Swansea. The whole three months were absolutely fabulous! I loved every single second of Swansea life. I really enjoyed the Community Actions Days - especially Swansea Community Farm and Down to Earth. Most of all I enjoyed singing, dancing and playing in mud. The feeling of bringing the community together and the massive sense of team achievement was AWESOME.
Working with the MOre Green Project was fantastic. The team were brilliant and really encouraged my learning. The Global Citizenship Days were another highlight of Swansea - bringing our beautiful team together for group bonding, while working out how we're going to feed the world and gain world peace. And last, but by no means least, my indescribable family - Anne, Chris, Becca, Adam and Eddie - you changed my life.
Things I will miss from Swansea:
Anne's chicken pie
cider
free internet
flag waving in church
the van
going in the sea fully clothed
stealing Becca's clothes without her knowing
the slip and slide
singing 'Fat Bottomed Girls" at the top of my voice
hearing all about Adam's latest girlfriend
drinking tea at Mo's
running from the pub to get the last bus home
rugby tackling Eddie
Discussing the meaning of life with Mo and the team
Oxfam's global book bag lifting working
insults from Chris every minute of every day
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PAUL
Basically my impression about Chipata was that it's a friendly place with very friendly people generally. Chipata is a very hilly place generally and I found it weird that it was getting dark at 6pm. I was given a lot of warning in my early days that the place is slightly dangerous because in the recent past a few people were attacked, others even killed in the process, which to me showed how optimistic the people around can be, because of lacking what to do. My other impression was that we will have less things to do, hence less fun because of the limited budget we were living on and no bus pass or transport of some sort. I was also excited working with Vally and being placed in Mr Mutishi family because of their children around which later in a few days turned be otherwise.
Generally life at first seemed so interesting being once more in an environment I am used to made life much easier for me to go about after spending three months in an environment very strange to me. Basically that was my first impression about Chipata.
Basically what i found most challenging in Swansea, was the food and the rains. In Britain, I think they have one of the best dishes in the whole world, but an individual coming from a typically all different environment like myself who normally eat nshima twice a day since childhood, found it very challenging to be having light meals and meat I have never tasted before in my life, referred to as the Welsh cowl. The family was nice but I think at times I was starving to death because I was not enjoying the food I was given til when I shifted from Three Crosses to West Cross, where I had a privilege to be preparing nshima cause my host sister Zoe basically knew what kind of food we have in Zambia because her Zambian friend at Morriston Hospital.
Basically I found it challenging having rains almost on a daily basis. To me that was weird cause I can't imagine having rains in summer here in Zambia. I think basically the whole British weather was very weird. Maybe it's because I grew up in an environment where I am seeing the sun on a daily basis whether it's winter, summer or rainy season.
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CHRISTINA
If Wales and Zambia were animals what sort would they be and why?
For me Swansea would be a rabbit. A civilised, domesticated animal with soft fur enticing you to touch, welcoming you. It's visible parts are a clear white but below hides muddy stains , testaments of Swansea's murky side.
Chipata is a town monkey, a cheek, clever creature eager to develop but easily distracted. This animal is torn between its wild nature and pragmatic understanding that in town lie greater achievements. Slowly this monkey will do away with the fleas gnawing at his progression health.
Describe one difference between Chipata and Swansea.
Transport. I complained of the absence of buses after 11pm but but little did I know the absence in Chipata would be complete. How do I get to town you ask. Well two vehicles are available to gov workers and we have been adopted. So we wait in line at 8am at "the big tree" for our bumpy ride: an open truck to town.
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JESSY
What do you miss from Swansea?
It is really hard to say just one thing i miss about Swansea, I love the place so much! I woudl definitely say I miss the beautiful surroundings, going for walks alogn the cliff side and looking out to sea, along with this I miss my favourite place, a bench on teh sea front, surrounded by trees with a fab view. I used to stop there on my cycle home - it was a fab thinking spot!
And of course I miss my hosts, Jan and Mike, their lovely grandaughter Jess and of course not forgetting their very lazy springer spaniel Joe! These people made my time in Swnasea, they made me feel so ewelcoem and I am missing them very much. I'm really lookign forward to going back and seeing how everyone is!
What do you find most challenging in Chipata?
I'm really starting to get into he flow of Chipata life. I'm starting to feel much more comfortable here, and I'm getting to grips with finding my way around. I think one thing I still find challenging and probably will for the rest of my stay here, is the constant attention form the locals, especially men and kids, I can't walk walk anywhere without kids shouting 'Muzungu, muzungu! How are you?!' At first it was quite cute, but it is getting to the point now where there are only so many times in one day you can say 'I'm fine thanks, how are you?' But I'm sure I will start getting used to it soon.
Describe your favourite or funniest GX moment:
With tso many fun times everyday I don't' think I could pick up on a funniest. However, I had lots of favourite moments. One of the most exciting was definitely the moment the Zambians arrived and walked through the barriers at Abertawe station! Another favourite moment was spending time, sharing stories and relaxing together at Red Cafe a couple of days before we left for Zambia.
However, these are just a couple and don't thin it would ever be possible to write down all the amazing and hilarious moments.
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FRANKLIN
Miss the most from Swansea:
I'll always remember Swansea because of it's lovely and ever-smiling people. The one thing i miss the most in Swansea is being by the seaside (beach) at least twice a week on the evening after work. The seaside was very refreshing and fun. I remember the day my bike was stolen all because of my loving being by the beach/seaside.
Swansea (Lion) Chipata (Tortoise)
If Swansea was an animal it would have been a lion because of its fast pace of development. While Chipata would have been a tortoise. I never realised how slow the pace of development Chipata was at not until visiting and staying in Swansea for almost three months. But one thing I'm very proud of is that even though the pace of work is slow, it's really steady.
Favourite moment:
I had always wanted to watch English football live not on TV but in a stadium, sing the football song, do the Mexican wave and so on. Therefore watching the Swans in action against Blackpool on 3rd May 2009 at liberty Stadium was a dream come true. Special thanks to Ness for organising the tickets.
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NESS
My first impressions of Chipata...
Chipata, at first, seemed huge, chaotic and confusing. I felt really disortientated for the first fews days and there was definitely a big culture shock coming from Swansea to Chipata. After a few days though the town started to seem smaller as we got to know our way around.
Five words to describe my impressions of Chipata so far...dusty, sunny, chaotic, welcoming and inquisitive.
Everywhere we go we get a huge amount of attention; everyone wants to shake our hands and say "How are you?". Children chase after us giggling and stare at us with wide eyes. The streets are always filled with people - except at the weekend when everyone goes to church. We walk very far everyday, and have to avoid the traffic and crazy bicycles. The roads are so dry, dusty and bumpy.
But the biggest first impression I've got is how welcoming the people of Chipata are. Everybody wants to talk to us and welcome us to their country and because of that I felt at home here straight away.
What do I miss about Swansea?
THE BEACHES and sea! The nice, springy green grass, Joe's ice cream, free internet at the library, sleeping in a bed without a mosquito net, welsh cakes, chocolate, English breakfast tea, drinking water straight from the tap, my shower, all the amazing people I met there and most of all my host family.
If Swansea was a colour, what would it be?
Turquoise because nearly everywhere you go you can see the beautiful sea and because there's so much lovely green grass, leafy trees and parks.
If Chipata was a colour what would it be?
Yellow, because the sun is always shining and all the roads and plants are dry at the moment so are a yellowy brown colour.
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MWANSA
What do you find most challenging in Chipata?
Moving from one point to another on foot - it's hilly and long distances are frustrating
What do you miss most from Swansea?
Our host parents Janet and Mike. They were really warm and welcoming. Every moment i spend with them is really treasured.
Difference between Swansea and Chipata:
Swansea is quite developed as compared to Chipata. The other difference is that people in Chipata are really warm and welcome, the younger children are full of joy and smiles and respectful.
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ELIOT
There are many differences between Chipata and Swansea, some more obvious than others. What struck me first and is something that I’m still getting used to is the way people relate to you. In Swansea it was so easy to walk through the streets unnoticed and unconnected. Chipata, on the other hand is really a different planet. So many people want to talk to you, shake your hand and say hello. When we first arrived it was quite exciting but as time has gone on it has, at times, become an annoyance. On occasions you have to be pretty blunt when talking to get people to leave you alone. However I am gradually learning how to deal with these situation and a few Nyanja phrases are helping me on my way (niza bwela tishimike: I will come and talk later). People are gradually getting to know me so soon I will be able to walk round Kapata Market like a local.
If Wales were an animal it would be a fox generally a city animal but out of town it has a rugged and wild side.
If Zambia were an animal it would be a sloth. Nothing is hurried or pressured. Life is taken at a relaxed, easy living pace.
My Greatest achievement in Swansea.
Developing the Peace Garden at St Helen’s was a lot of hard work. Helping drive a project forward that had lost a lot of momentum took lots of energy and looking back there are many things I would have done differently. That said, the result is a massive achievement. St Helen’s now has something that will be with the school for many years. For me there is a sense of satisfaction and a learning experience that I will take with me through the rest of my life. On the day of the opening one emotion I definitely felt was relief. But above these was a sense of pride and achievement.
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MWATA
My host home in Swansea was so loving and caring. They were so welcoming and I received massive support, talked a lot and that even made me more welcome. I felt like part of the family. I really miss my host home and carried all the sweet memories with me. Hope to see them in future and get to talk to them.
If Chipata and Swansea were animals I think they would be big animals because these two places have played a major role in my life. Living in Swansea has been a really wonderful experience and coming to Chipata means that we'll do what we did in Swansea. I think we left a mark in Swansea and we'll also leave a mark in Chipata.
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MAGGIE
Describe your greatest achievement in Swansea.
Swansea was an amazing experience which gave me the opportunity to really push myself to my limits. There were times when the whole experience was very intense and I needed to step back to gain perspective. However, after doing this I was able to reflect on how spectacular some of the things we did were. To me, my greatest achievement was completing the new drop-in for the African Community Centre. This new space now means the African Community have a real opportunity to develop thir work their work in Swansea. The project also gave me the chance to work with people of all ages, from all backgrounds, from all over the world. We were very ambitious when we started planning and through hard work and dedication we were able to finish on time with a fabulous launch night, where me and my counterpart Paul received much praise for our work.
Funniest GX moment?
One of the funniest GX moments would have to be when we met for a day of cycling proficiency which ended up with a 70% accident rate, ironically. The best moment of the day was when Matt ( the tallest member of the group, so had to have his seat as high as it would go) was sitting on his bike relaxing when the seat just snapped clean off right in front of the bike owner. It was a great moment!
Challenges
I think Swansea and Chipata had/have their own challenges, which is all part of the GX programme. GX encourages people to be open and therefore being able to overcome any challenges that arise. I have not always found this easy in host homes where I find challenges as I try very hard to accommodate people and often end up being over cautious to avoid difficult situations. I found this leaves me feeling tired and often frustrated. With two months left in Chipata, this is an area I will keep working on.
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NGAWA
What do you miss most from Swansea?
Swansea is a very warm place to be. For the past three months I have been there. I managed to meet and interact with so many different people. What I miss most from Swansea is working at Swansea Community Farm doing different jobs like feeding Zami the only baby lamb, making fences, working in the garden with Laurence. The other thing I miss is being at the beach and watching the water waves from the sea - that was a really fab experience.
Describe your house and family in Swansea:
The house I lived in was amazing. It was a three-bedroomed house. A nice sitting room and a medium dining room, a beautiful kitchen which was full of nice foods like chicken pies and cakes, the upstairs shower toilet.
My family in Swansea was really amazing. The family included Chris and Anne, my host mum and dad, Becca, my host sister, the two dogs Flossy and Sunny and the two beautiful cats. My family was so nice to me an during my whole stay in Swansea I never felt I was missing my home Zambia, because of the good care and support I received from my host family.
A difference between Swansea and Zambia:
Zambia and Swansea are two difference countries which are very different (worlds apart) in terms of culture and values and even the lifestyle at large. Some of the difference include young people kissing anyhow in the streets, or open places in Swansea, which is not a very common practice in Zambia. Most people from the UK don't have the respect for God as we do here in Zambia, where you find people to be going to church only during Easter and Christmas or New Year, while in Zambia Christianity is one of the most important aspect of ones life. It was also good to see the other difference in the work culture of the UK - it's really serious and not time to play when it's work time. While in Zambia most work places are so much relaxed, which make development to be slow.
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MATT
We have now been in Chipata for just over 2 weeks and are settling in well. It’s a completely new culture and a totally different experience to what we had in Swansea. It was very exciting traveling from Lusaka to Chipata as everybody was in anticipation of seeing Chipata where we will be living and working for the next 3 months. After spending a couple of days at Chipata motel doing some In Country Orientation training, we then met our host families. This was a very nervous but exciting time for the team. Now everyone has been in their host homes for a couple of weeks and are settling in to their new way of life. My host family is lovely, I couldn’t have asked for any more. They are so welcoming and friendly and have made me feel so at home. I am living in Kapata which is quite a central area of Chipata where the main bus station is and the main drinking holes around an area called ‘Wonderful Corner’. One of the frustrations of the first couple of weeks has been the fact that it gets dark at around 6pm and then most of the volunteers are expected to be home as there is not much happening in the evening and it can be quite unsafe when it gets dark so our families want us home. Kapata can be especially rowdy at night as there are often a lot of drunks around that area. However, this has been quite hard to adjust to after Swansea where we were spending a lot of time as a team socializing in the evenings.
We have also now been in our work placements for around a week so after a slow week of orientation and settling in; everyone is now hoping to get more involved in the projects that their organisations are running. I am placed at St Paul’s Children Project which is a charity that has several focuses including health, agriculture and food security, Orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs), youth programs and women empowerment. Over the next few weeks I am hoping to be going out to the field with them to see how all these projects are functioning on the ground and then become more actively involved in their implementation.
Zambia is a fascinating place and one of the best things to do is just to walk around and take in the atmosphere. It’s always bustling with people busy street selling or setting up salaulas (second hand clothes stalls) in the markets. The streets are dusty, the roads are bumpy, the bike taxis that travel at night with no lights are crazy, the people are so welcoming, the sunsets are stunning and the possibilities are endless. Most of us have experienced Zambian church services with our host families, some of us went to watch Chipata play Livingstone at football where we provided the half time entertainment by having a kick about with some of the players and most of us have already made friends in the community. Also, on 30th June, it was National VCT Day in Zambia and most of the team headed to the Malawian border. I went with my organization, St Paul’s Children’s Project. It was a really good day. A bit slow in starting, but this is Zambia so everything is run on Zambian time. Once everything was set up there was dancing, singing and acting talking about issues of HIV/AIDS. It proved to be very popular with everyone as the crowd gathered around to watch it all. The aim of the day was to raise awareness of VCT and to encourage as many people as possible to have a VCT test. The day seemed to be quite successful and a lot of people went for a VCT test to find out their status. We all also had a lot of fun playing football with the kids and dancing to the traditional music.
Our community welcome was held this Saturday and it was held outside in the centre of Chipata so that as many people as possible could attend and it would also be visible to members of the public so they could come in and check it out as they were passing by in the street. It proved to be a success with many people coming along to have a look and some local organisations and schools involved too. We set up stands on issues such as volunteering, gender based violence, water sanitation, HIV/AIDS and keep Zambia clean and we also had some entertainment with dancing and drumming. Since the community welcome we are now more known around Chipata and hopefully this will lead to more opportunities for community involvement.
We look forward to some great experiences and brilliant times together as a team and in the community over the next couple of months.
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LUCHEMBE
What do you find most challenging in Chipata?
While just like it could be challenging to get most places in a new area, my most challenges in Chipata is walking through the hill places to get to different places. This is because Chipata has no local buses to transport people from one place to another, and to get on a taxi is not as fun as could be to on a bus for a short distance. Though bicycles are a cheapest means of transport for short distances I feel sorry for the people who carry other people on the bicycles through the hills for them to get a little amount of money that can not be equivalent to the energy put in to ride the bicycle to different place, therefore, I end up walking to most of the areas in Chipata. Was a very big challenge considering the weather as well, Chipata is kind of hot hence not very conducive for walking again. To make matters worse Chipata has no places to relax from when you are tired from sitting home or when you have been working/walking.
What do you miss most from Swansea?
Swansea is a lovely place to live in and I think among the many things that I miss about Swansea is just to walk in the bank of the sea bed watching the water either coming to the bank sid e fo the sea or going out from the bank, whilst eating Joe's Ice Cream, not forgetting the lovely smiling, warm people of Swansea and the Singleton Park, just a place to relax through on a weekend or when you just need a nice cool time to your self.
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PRUDENCE
What do you miss most from Swansea?
I really miss loads and loads of things from Swansea. First and foremost, I had friends all over Swansea, church families and also the beauty of Swansea when it’s during the night. I really used to feel as if I am in heaven and never wanted to come back to Zambia. I really miss people from my work placements and other work placements like MOre Green, Swansea Community Farm, Down to Earth etc and the children I had in class and those who were my friends at St Helens and other parts of Swansea, but not forgetting the day we were in London not it believing it was me walking on water (in the boat). So many things anyway.
Describe one difference between Chipata and Swansea
There are so many differences between Chipata and Swansea. First of all is the transport. In Swansea it is really easy when it comes to transport issues. Buses are free (with bus pass) and the other advantage is that roads are well done and there is no dust as it is in Chipata. But it is also somehow difficult and challenging in the sense that you can not even communicate with your neighbors compared to Chipata. In Chipata the transport issue is the most challenging thing but when it comes to people we meet in the streets or elsewhere, everyone is really friendly and easy to communicate with/to. In Swansea when it really comes to work it’s work with no jokes while in Chipata we don’t take /consider work as a very big and important thing to do. Anyway, there are loads and loads of things that I can say concerning on the issue of differentiating Chipata and Swansea.
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CHARLOTTE
An interesting tradition in Chipata:
There are 72 different tribes in Zambia but one thing that they all have in common is a female initiation ceremony and teaching leading up to marriage. Traditionally when a women reaches puberty she is taken into confinement for up to a month and taught by her alangezi (teacher) about what it is to be a women and practical aspects of how to be a good wife.
In towns like Chipata women are no longer free for such a long time period due to work or school commitments, so instead there is one night of initiation and then a kitchen party. Naomi and I have been lucky enough to attend both. During the women-only initiation ceremony about 30 of us gathered in a house from dusk til dawn to share our knowledge with the bride to be and to see what she had already learned from her Alangezi. Although there was much singing, dancing, drumming, food and drink, this was a serious evening focused on sharing and learning, not partying. From this evening the bride to be should have an understanding of topics such as how to take care of her husband, how to receive in-laws and guests and should have learned a special dance for her husband.
The kitchen party has more of a party atmosphere and one main activity is the giving of gifts for the kitchen. The giver must explain to the bride to be exactly how this gift should be used in the house. Of course there is lots of singing and dancing because EVERYTHING in Zambia should have some dancing!
One thing I miss about Swansea:
The sea. After a hot and dusty day I crave a refreshing swim. This may be the Zambian cold season, but to us Brits it’s like a hot summer’s day!
One difference between Chipata and Swansea:
In Swansea the supernatural, religion and spirituality are aspects of some people’s lives but for many are not things that often come into everyday life. Here a person is very unusual if they do not believe that people can be cursed or bewitched, if they doubt the existence of God, if they do not go to a church weekly. Every meeting and meal begins and ends with a prayer, services on Emmanuel TV are more likely to be watched than soaps and faith healing in church services is a common way of solving all manner of physical and mental ailments.
JACKSON
Well the things that I miss the most in Swansea are
The library where I was accessing free internet
The Caswell, Langland and Mumbles beaches where I could enjoy the view of the sea whenever I had time.
My workplacement coz of the mixture of activities I was doing, not forgetting the friendships with the staff and clients.
My wonderful host home and mom Terryl.
Zaki and Nattica through just being with them
The list is endless, lemme just say Swansea is my second home.
Things that I find interesting here in Chipata:
My workplacement coz of the focus of youth programmes in the organization. Not only that but also the integration of the traditional counselors (alangizi) in their programmes to help reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS and other STIs by changing bad traditional practices which sometimes does.
My host parents coz they are both open and very easy to talk to.
People asking me about GX. This has even enhanced my understanding of the programme.
If Swansea was an animal it could have been a dog coz I saw lots of dogs in Swansea than ever. And if Chipata was an animal it could have been a gecko coz I see them lots - almost in ever house. But please don't share this with my host parents!
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TOMMY
An interesting tradition in Chipata:
Learning about water and sanitation at GCPDO we learned that the major issue facing getting good sanitation for people in rural villages is villagers' attitude. People do not like admitting that they go to the loo and prefer to go to the bush. Elderly are not considered to need the loo and when they do go, they return from the bush with twigs and sticks (often just one stick) to show that they actually went to get firewood!
A day at work in Chipata at Great Commission for People Development and Orphans:Wake up, meet Elliot, Matt, Luchembe and host brother Nic for early morning jog. 6am - go for jog, get chased by dogs or children or pounced on by sticks pretending to be snakes. Back home to have a "bath" - bucket of heated water and have lunch made for me by host sisters. Grab some coffee and peanut butter sandwiches and head off for work. Pass the children who always yell "How are you?" and try to answer them all, and say "Good morning!" to anyone else that makes eye contact. Arrive at work 8am and practise the Nyanja (local language) Ngawa has taught me as everone in the office greets you "Moli bwanji?" "Bwino, moli bwanji?" "Bwino!". Have a chat with Maggie and Ngawa (includes a gossip about Maidenhead and Nyanja lessons) go to a meeting and learn about GCPDO after saying a morning prayer. Lunchtime sees the visit from Naomi and Fatness, where we all learn of Naomi's hormonal activities and the numerous blokes she fancies!!! Afternoon and we work to finish the brochure on water and sanitation to be distributed to the 12 rural areas GCPDO works in in Eastern Province and the tea and biscuits arrive. We chat with our boss, Smatt Banda and Pastor Elimon a bout witchcraft and traditions of Zambia and finish work at 5pm where I stick my ipod in and dance home. I read my Rough Guide to Global Warming book, watch some Nigerian movies and eat some tiny fishes (heads included) and nshima, wash up with my counterpart, Paul, despite our sister insisting that they'll do it. Have Bible studies and go to bed.
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NAOMI
What is your favourite Nyanja (local Zambian language) word?
"Ku ikankonzelu!" - it means "concentrate!"
Describe a difference between Swansea and Chipata.
Attitude to time. In the UK running 30mins is late, here waiting 2hours for a bus or a concert to begin is normal.
If Wales and Zambia were animals what sort would they be?
Wales - gotta be the Welsh dragon, but a friendly one which uses its fire to toast Welsh cakes for people. Zambia - a baby rhino named ketchup.
What do you miss most about Swansea?
Divine Fairtrade 70% Cocoa choc bars (83p from Tescos, bargain!)
Interesting tradition in Swansea
Tea and Welsh cakes at ever opportunity, love it!
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FATNESS
What do you find most challenging in Chipata?
Well Chipata is really a nice place, people are so welcoming and friendly. We are placed into different placement, but the most challenging is that it is hot and walk long distance to our work placement. So that's a challenge to me.
If Wales and Zambia were animals what sort would they be and why?
I would probably point out a monkey. I picked a monkey because monkeys are harmless and they are so friendly - if I offer a banana to the monkey then we become friends. So this is how Wales and Zambia is - people are so friendly and nice.
Describe your favourite GX moment.
My favourite GX moment was when we had a GX Factor at St Helens because we met different people, and making organisations to get together and played different games. And the other one is when we had our CAD at Down to Earth. We really shared different types of stories and played games with our host families.
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VALLY
Hmm... I couldn't possibly choose just one favourite thing about Swansea. The whole three months were absolutely fabulous! I loved every single second of Swansea life. I really enjoyed the Community Actions Days - especially Swansea Community Farm and Down to Earth. Most of all I enjoyed singing, dancing and playing in mud. The feeling of bringing the community together and the massive sense of team achievement was AWESOME.
Working with the MOre Green Project was fantastic. The team were brilliant and really encouraged my learning. The Global Citizenship Days were another highlight of Swansea - bringing our beautiful team together for group bonding, while working out how we're going to feed the world and gain world peace. And last, but by no means least, my indescribable family - Anne, Chris, Becca, Adam and Eddie - you changed my life.
Things I will miss from Swansea:
Anne's chicken pie
cider
free internet
flag waving in church
the van
going in the sea fully clothed
stealing Becca's clothes without her knowing
the slip and slide
singing 'Fat Bottomed Girls" at the top of my voice
hearing all about Adam's latest girlfriend
drinking tea at Mo's
running from the pub to get the last bus home
rugby tackling Eddie
Discussing the meaning of life with Mo and the team
Oxfam's global book bag lifting working
insults from Chris every minute of every day
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PAUL
Basically my impression about Chipata was that it's a friendly place with very friendly people generally. Chipata is a very hilly place generally and I found it weird that it was getting dark at 6pm. I was given a lot of warning in my early days that the place is slightly dangerous because in the recent past a few people were attacked, others even killed in the process, which to me showed how optimistic the people around can be, because of lacking what to do. My other impression was that we will have less things to do, hence less fun because of the limited budget we were living on and no bus pass or transport of some sort. I was also excited working with Vally and being placed in Mr Mutishi family because of their children around which later in a few days turned be otherwise.
Generally life at first seemed so interesting being once more in an environment I am used to made life much easier for me to go about after spending three months in an environment very strange to me. Basically that was my first impression about Chipata.
Basically what i found most challenging in Swansea, was the food and the rains. In Britain, I think they have one of the best dishes in the whole world, but an individual coming from a typically all different environment like myself who normally eat nshima twice a day since childhood, found it very challenging to be having light meals and meat I have never tasted before in my life, referred to as the Welsh cowl. The family was nice but I think at times I was starving to death because I was not enjoying the food I was given til when I shifted from Three Crosses to West Cross, where I had a privilege to be preparing nshima cause my host sister Zoe basically knew what kind of food we have in Zambia because her Zambian friend at Morriston Hospital.
Basically I found it challenging having rains almost on a daily basis. To me that was weird cause I can't imagine having rains in summer here in Zambia. I think basically the whole British weather was very weird. Maybe it's because I grew up in an environment where I am seeing the sun on a daily basis whether it's winter, summer or rainy season.
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CHRISTINA
If Wales and Zambia were animals what sort would they be and why?
For me Swansea would be a rabbit. A civilised, domesticated animal with soft fur enticing you to touch, welcoming you. It's visible parts are a clear white but below hides muddy stains , testaments of Swansea's murky side.
Chipata is a town monkey, a cheek, clever creature eager to develop but easily distracted. This animal is torn between its wild nature and pragmatic understanding that in town lie greater achievements. Slowly this monkey will do away with the fleas gnawing at his progression health.
Describe one difference between Chipata and Swansea.
Transport. I complained of the absence of buses after 11pm but but little did I know the absence in Chipata would be complete. How do I get to town you ask. Well two vehicles are available to gov workers and we have been adopted. So we wait in line at 8am at "the big tree" for our bumpy ride: an open truck to town.
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JESSY
What do you miss from Swansea?
It is really hard to say just one thing i miss about Swansea, I love the place so much! I woudl definitely say I miss the beautiful surroundings, going for walks alogn the cliff side and looking out to sea, along with this I miss my favourite place, a bench on teh sea front, surrounded by trees with a fab view. I used to stop there on my cycle home - it was a fab thinking spot!
And of course I miss my hosts, Jan and Mike, their lovely grandaughter Jess and of course not forgetting their very lazy springer spaniel Joe! These people made my time in Swnasea, they made me feel so ewelcoem and I am missing them very much. I'm really lookign forward to going back and seeing how everyone is!
What do you find most challenging in Chipata?
I'm really starting to get into he flow of Chipata life. I'm starting to feel much more comfortable here, and I'm getting to grips with finding my way around. I think one thing I still find challenging and probably will for the rest of my stay here, is the constant attention form the locals, especially men and kids, I can't walk walk anywhere without kids shouting 'Muzungu, muzungu! How are you?!' At first it was quite cute, but it is getting to the point now where there are only so many times in one day you can say 'I'm fine thanks, how are you?' But I'm sure I will start getting used to it soon.
Describe your favourite or funniest GX moment:
With tso many fun times everyday I don't' think I could pick up on a funniest. However, I had lots of favourite moments. One of the most exciting was definitely the moment the Zambians arrived and walked through the barriers at Abertawe station! Another favourite moment was spending time, sharing stories and relaxing together at Red Cafe a couple of days before we left for Zambia.
However, these are just a couple and don't thin it would ever be possible to write down all the amazing and hilarious moments.
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FRANKLIN
Miss the most from Swansea:
I'll always remember Swansea because of it's lovely and ever-smiling people. The one thing i miss the most in Swansea is being by the seaside (beach) at least twice a week on the evening after work. The seaside was very refreshing and fun. I remember the day my bike was stolen all because of my loving being by the beach/seaside.
Swansea (Lion) Chipata (Tortoise)
If Swansea was an animal it would have been a lion because of its fast pace of development. While Chipata would have been a tortoise. I never realised how slow the pace of development Chipata was at not until visiting and staying in Swansea for almost three months. But one thing I'm very proud of is that even though the pace of work is slow, it's really steady.
Favourite moment:
I had always wanted to watch English football live not on TV but in a stadium, sing the football song, do the Mexican wave and so on. Therefore watching the Swans in action against Blackpool on 3rd May 2009 at liberty Stadium was a dream come true. Special thanks to Ness for organising the tickets.
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NESS
My first impressions of Chipata...
Chipata, at first, seemed huge, chaotic and confusing. I felt really disortientated for the first fews days and there was definitely a big culture shock coming from Swansea to Chipata. After a few days though the town started to seem smaller as we got to know our way around.
Five words to describe my impressions of Chipata so far...dusty, sunny, chaotic, welcoming and inquisitive.
Everywhere we go we get a huge amount of attention; everyone wants to shake our hands and say "How are you?". Children chase after us giggling and stare at us with wide eyes. The streets are always filled with people - except at the weekend when everyone goes to church. We walk very far everyday, and have to avoid the traffic and crazy bicycles. The roads are so dry, dusty and bumpy.
But the biggest first impression I've got is how welcoming the people of Chipata are. Everybody wants to talk to us and welcome us to their country and because of that I felt at home here straight away.
What do I miss about Swansea?
THE BEACHES and sea! The nice, springy green grass, Joe's ice cream, free internet at the library, sleeping in a bed without a mosquito net, welsh cakes, chocolate, English breakfast tea, drinking water straight from the tap, my shower, all the amazing people I met there and most of all my host family.
If Swansea was a colour, what would it be?
Turquoise because nearly everywhere you go you can see the beautiful sea and because there's so much lovely green grass, leafy trees and parks.
If Chipata was a colour what would it be?
Yellow, because the sun is always shining and all the roads and plants are dry at the moment so are a yellowy brown colour.
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MWANSA
What do you find most challenging in Chipata?
Moving from one point to another on foot - it's hilly and long distances are frustrating
What do you miss most from Swansea?
Our host parents Janet and Mike. They were really warm and welcoming. Every moment i spend with them is really treasured.
Difference between Swansea and Chipata:
Swansea is quite developed as compared to Chipata. The other difference is that people in Chipata are really warm and welcome, the younger children are full of joy and smiles and respectful.
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ELIOT
There are many differences between Chipata and Swansea, some more obvious than others. What struck me first and is something that I’m still getting used to is the way people relate to you. In Swansea it was so easy to walk through the streets unnoticed and unconnected. Chipata, on the other hand is really a different planet. So many people want to talk to you, shake your hand and say hello. When we first arrived it was quite exciting but as time has gone on it has, at times, become an annoyance. On occasions you have to be pretty blunt when talking to get people to leave you alone. However I am gradually learning how to deal with these situation and a few Nyanja phrases are helping me on my way (niza bwela tishimike: I will come and talk later). People are gradually getting to know me so soon I will be able to walk round Kapata Market like a local.
If Wales were an animal it would be a fox generally a city animal but out of town it has a rugged and wild side.
If Zambia were an animal it would be a sloth. Nothing is hurried or pressured. Life is taken at a relaxed, easy living pace.
My Greatest achievement in Swansea.
Developing the Peace Garden at St Helen’s was a lot of hard work. Helping drive a project forward that had lost a lot of momentum took lots of energy and looking back there are many things I would have done differently. That said, the result is a massive achievement. St Helen’s now has something that will be with the school for many years. For me there is a sense of satisfaction and a learning experience that I will take with me through the rest of my life. On the day of the opening one emotion I definitely felt was relief. But above these was a sense of pride and achievement.
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MWATA
My host home in Swansea was so loving and caring. They were so welcoming and I received massive support, talked a lot and that even made me more welcome. I felt like part of the family. I really miss my host home and carried all the sweet memories with me. Hope to see them in future and get to talk to them.
If Chipata and Swansea were animals I think they would be big animals because these two places have played a major role in my life. Living in Swansea has been a really wonderful experience and coming to Chipata means that we'll do what we did in Swansea. I think we left a mark in Swansea and we'll also leave a mark in Chipata.
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MAGGIE
Describe your greatest achievement in Swansea.
Swansea was an amazing experience which gave me the opportunity to really push myself to my limits. There were times when the whole experience was very intense and I needed to step back to gain perspective. However, after doing this I was able to reflect on how spectacular some of the things we did were. To me, my greatest achievement was completing the new drop-in for the African Community Centre. This new space now means the African Community have a real opportunity to develop thir work their work in Swansea. The project also gave me the chance to work with people of all ages, from all backgrounds, from all over the world. We were very ambitious when we started planning and through hard work and dedication we were able to finish on time with a fabulous launch night, where me and my counterpart Paul received much praise for our work.
Funniest GX moment?
One of the funniest GX moments would have to be when we met for a day of cycling proficiency which ended up with a 70% accident rate, ironically. The best moment of the day was when Matt ( the tallest member of the group, so had to have his seat as high as it would go) was sitting on his bike relaxing when the seat just snapped clean off right in front of the bike owner. It was a great moment!
Challenges
I think Swansea and Chipata had/have their own challenges, which is all part of the GX programme. GX encourages people to be open and therefore being able to overcome any challenges that arise. I have not always found this easy in host homes where I find challenges as I try very hard to accommodate people and often end up being over cautious to avoid difficult situations. I found this leaves me feeling tired and often frustrated. With two months left in Chipata, this is an area I will keep working on.
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NGAWA
What do you miss most from Swansea?
Swansea is a very warm place to be. For the past three months I have been there. I managed to meet and interact with so many different people. What I miss most from Swansea is working at Swansea Community Farm doing different jobs like feeding Zami the only baby lamb, making fences, working in the garden with Laurence. The other thing I miss is being at the beach and watching the water waves from the sea - that was a really fab experience.
Describe your house and family in Swansea:
The house I lived in was amazing. It was a three-bedroomed house. A nice sitting room and a medium dining room, a beautiful kitchen which was full of nice foods like chicken pies and cakes, the upstairs shower toilet.
My family in Swansea was really amazing. The family included Chris and Anne, my host mum and dad, Becca, my host sister, the two dogs Flossy and Sunny and the two beautiful cats. My family was so nice to me an during my whole stay in Swansea I never felt I was missing my home Zambia, because of the good care and support I received from my host family.
A difference between Swansea and Zambia:
Zambia and Swansea are two difference countries which are very different (worlds apart) in terms of culture and values and even the lifestyle at large. Some of the difference include young people kissing anyhow in the streets, or open places in Swansea, which is not a very common practice in Zambia. Most people from the UK don't have the respect for God as we do here in Zambia, where you find people to be going to church only during Easter and Christmas or New Year, while in Zambia Christianity is one of the most important aspect of ones life. It was also good to see the other difference in the work culture of the UK - it's really serious and not time to play when it's work time. While in Zambia most work places are so much relaxed, which make development to be slow.
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MATT
We have now been in Chipata for just over 2 weeks and are settling in well. It’s a completely new culture and a totally different experience to what we had in Swansea. It was very exciting traveling from Lusaka to Chipata as everybody was in anticipation of seeing Chipata where we will be living and working for the next 3 months. After spending a couple of days at Chipata motel doing some In Country Orientation training, we then met our host families. This was a very nervous but exciting time for the team. Now everyone has been in their host homes for a couple of weeks and are settling in to their new way of life. My host family is lovely, I couldn’t have asked for any more. They are so welcoming and friendly and have made me feel so at home. I am living in Kapata which is quite a central area of Chipata where the main bus station is and the main drinking holes around an area called ‘Wonderful Corner’. One of the frustrations of the first couple of weeks has been the fact that it gets dark at around 6pm and then most of the volunteers are expected to be home as there is not much happening in the evening and it can be quite unsafe when it gets dark so our families want us home. Kapata can be especially rowdy at night as there are often a lot of drunks around that area. However, this has been quite hard to adjust to after Swansea where we were spending a lot of time as a team socializing in the evenings.
We have also now been in our work placements for around a week so after a slow week of orientation and settling in; everyone is now hoping to get more involved in the projects that their organisations are running. I am placed at St Paul’s Children Project which is a charity that has several focuses including health, agriculture and food security, Orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs), youth programs and women empowerment. Over the next few weeks I am hoping to be going out to the field with them to see how all these projects are functioning on the ground and then become more actively involved in their implementation.
Zambia is a fascinating place and one of the best things to do is just to walk around and take in the atmosphere. It’s always bustling with people busy street selling or setting up salaulas (second hand clothes stalls) in the markets. The streets are dusty, the roads are bumpy, the bike taxis that travel at night with no lights are crazy, the people are so welcoming, the sunsets are stunning and the possibilities are endless. Most of us have experienced Zambian church services with our host families, some of us went to watch Chipata play Livingstone at football where we provided the half time entertainment by having a kick about with some of the players and most of us have already made friends in the community. Also, on 30th June, it was National VCT Day in Zambia and most of the team headed to the Malawian border. I went with my organization, St Paul’s Children’s Project. It was a really good day. A bit slow in starting, but this is Zambia so everything is run on Zambian time. Once everything was set up there was dancing, singing and acting talking about issues of HIV/AIDS. It proved to be very popular with everyone as the crowd gathered around to watch it all. The aim of the day was to raise awareness of VCT and to encourage as many people as possible to have a VCT test. The day seemed to be quite successful and a lot of people went for a VCT test to find out their status. We all also had a lot of fun playing football with the kids and dancing to the traditional music.
Our community welcome was held this Saturday and it was held outside in the centre of Chipata so that as many people as possible could attend and it would also be visible to members of the public so they could come in and check it out as they were passing by in the street. It proved to be a success with many people coming along to have a look and some local organisations and schools involved too. We set up stands on issues such as volunteering, gender based violence, water sanitation, HIV/AIDS and keep Zambia clean and we also had some entertainment with dancing and drumming. Since the community welcome we are now more known around Chipata and hopefully this will lead to more opportunities for community involvement.
We look forward to some great experiences and brilliant times together as a team and in the community over the next couple of months.
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LUCHEMBE
What do you find most challenging in Chipata?
While just like it could be challenging to get most places in a new area, my most challenges in Chipata is walking through the hill places to get to different places. This is because Chipata has no local buses to transport people from one place to another, and to get on a taxi is not as fun as could be to on a bus for a short distance. Though bicycles are a cheapest means of transport for short distances I feel sorry for the people who carry other people on the bicycles through the hills for them to get a little amount of money that can not be equivalent to the energy put in to ride the bicycle to different place, therefore, I end up walking to most of the areas in Chipata. Was a very big challenge considering the weather as well, Chipata is kind of hot hence not very conducive for walking again. To make matters worse Chipata has no places to relax from when you are tired from sitting home or when you have been working/walking.
What do you miss most from Swansea?
Swansea is a lovely place to live in and I think among the many things that I miss about Swansea is just to walk in the bank of the sea bed watching the water either coming to the bank sid e fo the sea or going out from the bank, whilst eating Joe's Ice Cream, not forgetting the lovely smiling, warm people of Swansea and the Singleton Park, just a place to relax through on a weekend or when you just need a nice cool time to your self.
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PRUDENCE
What do you miss most from Swansea?
I really miss loads and loads of things from Swansea. First and foremost, I had friends all over Swansea, church families and also the beauty of Swansea when it’s during the night. I really used to feel as if I am in heaven and never wanted to come back to Zambia. I really miss people from my work placements and other work placements like MOre Green, Swansea Community Farm, Down to Earth etc and the children I had in class and those who were my friends at St Helens and other parts of Swansea, but not forgetting the day we were in London not it believing it was me walking on water (in the boat). So many things anyway.
Describe one difference between Chipata and Swansea
There are so many differences between Chipata and Swansea. First of all is the transport. In Swansea it is really easy when it comes to transport issues. Buses are free (with bus pass) and the other advantage is that roads are well done and there is no dust as it is in Chipata. But it is also somehow difficult and challenging in the sense that you can not even communicate with your neighbors compared to Chipata. In Chipata the transport issue is the most challenging thing but when it comes to people we meet in the streets or elsewhere, everyone is really friendly and easy to communicate with/to. In Swansea when it really comes to work it’s work with no jokes while in Chipata we don’t take /consider work as a very big and important thing to do. Anyway, there are loads and loads of things that I can say concerning on the issue of differentiating Chipata and Swansea.
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CHARLOTTE
An interesting tradition in Chipata:
There are 72 different tribes in Zambia but one thing that they all have in common is a female initiation ceremony and teaching leading up to marriage. Traditionally when a women reaches puberty she is taken into confinement for up to a month and taught by her alangezi (teacher) about what it is to be a women and practical aspects of how to be a good wife.
In towns like Chipata women are no longer free for such a long time period due to work or school commitments, so instead there is one night of initiation and then a kitchen party. Naomi and I have been lucky enough to attend both. During the women-only initiation ceremony about 30 of us gathered in a house from dusk til dawn to share our knowledge with the bride to be and to see what she had already learned from her Alangezi. Although there was much singing, dancing, drumming, food and drink, this was a serious evening focused on sharing and learning, not partying. From this evening the bride to be should have an understanding of topics such as how to take care of her husband, how to receive in-laws and guests and should have learned a special dance for her husband.
The kitchen party has more of a party atmosphere and one main activity is the giving of gifts for the kitchen. The giver must explain to the bride to be exactly how this gift should be used in the house. Of course there is lots of singing and dancing because EVERYTHING in Zambia should have some dancing!
One thing I miss about Swansea:
The sea. After a hot and dusty day I crave a refreshing swim. This may be the Zambian cold season, but to us Brits it’s like a hot summer’s day!
One difference between Chipata and Swansea:
In Swansea the supernatural, religion and spirituality are aspects of some people’s lives but for many are not things that often come into everyday life. Here a person is very unusual if they do not believe that people can be cursed or bewitched, if they doubt the existence of God, if they do not go to a church weekly. Every meeting and meal begins and ends with a prayer, services on Emmanuel TV are more likely to be watched than soaps and faith healing in church services is a common way of solving all manner of physical and mental ailments.
Friday 5 June 2009
Photos from the Lord Mayor's Mansion (taken by photographer from Evening Post) at http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/galleries/Youth-volunteer-event-gallery-1050502-detail/gallery.html
Community Farewell video - highlights of time in Swansea
The first phase of our programme is about to finish and tonight we had our Community Farewell party, hosted by Swansea Bay Asylum Seeker Support Group (SBASSG). The deputy lord mayor presented us with presents and certificates and we had speeches, thank yous and of course Team 94 performed a little something. Here's the video we showed of the highlights of our time in Swansea.
Also, this week has been Volunteer Action Week and GX team 94 have been very busy...On Saturday we ran a Community Action Day at Swansea Community Farm, on Monday we went to Swansea College to tell them all about GX, on Tuesday we went to a charity fair, on Wednesday we were invited to the Lord Mayor's Mansion for tea, cake and an award ceremony. On Thursday we ran a Community Action Day (CAD) in the evening - a free viewing of a film called 'Where the Water Meets the Sky'. This is an inspirational film made by women in rural Zambia about their lives and how HIV/AIDS has affected them all. Afterwards we held an open discussion about the film with members of the public.
Today we finished our volunteer placements, but it's not over yet in Swansea.....tomorrow is another CAD, helping run the Hard Rain exhibition, about climate change. And on Sunday we have ANOTHER CAD (!) at Down To Earth. Then our final Global Citizenship Day on Monday, our Debrief on Tuesday and Wednesday, then leaving Swansea early on Thursday. We'll be going to London for 1 night for some sightseeing before flying to Zambia on Friday.
So, another busy week for Team 94!!!!
Saturday 23 May 2009
Tuesday 19 May 2009
Mid Phrase Review
On the weekend of the 8th-10th May, team 94 ventured out onto the beautiful Gower Peninsula, to a little village called Llamadoc, for our Mid-Phrase Review (MPR).
The purpose of the MPR was to have fun, have a break from our host community, get to know each other and trust each other more, review all that's happened so far (the challenges, the highs, the lows, the group dynamics, the relationships between counterpart pairs etc) and think how we can improve it for the rest our exchange.
On the Friday afternoon before we left Swansea we did the ‘Charity Shop Challenge’ around Swansea city centre. The aim of the game was to get the craziest outfit possible (to wear at the party the following night) using a maximum of £5, in the space of 45 minutes ad only buying from charity shops. Each volunteer also had to tell at least 3 members of the public what GX is and make people happy, while we were running around town and we all wore our green GX t-shirts to get noticed a bit more.
The purpose of the challenge was to promote recylcing and reusing as part of the wider global issue of eco-friendly, ethical shopping and the impact of consumerism on the environment,spread the message of GX to the wider public and have fun...which we did :-)
We arrived in Llamadoc later that evening and walked to our venue which was St Madoc Christian Youth Camp - a hostel type centre with dorms, self-catering facilities, football pitch, beach volleyball, woods, and amazing views over long sandy beaches. On the Friday night we had a big BBQ, cooked mainly by head chef Eliot (thank youuuu!) and watched the sun setting over the beautiful Welsh countryside, ahhhh!
Saturday we were up bright and early to start our first session at 9am. We played lots of games during the day and did sessions on group dynamics and the different roles we play within the group, what a team needs to succeed, counterpart relationships and how they can be improved adn the cross-cultural differences and issues and hpw they can be dealt with. It was a very intense day as lots of issues were brought up, but we all felt it was good to be open with each other so we can keep building on our relationships and make team 94 the best team it can possibly be. Highlights of the day were.... drawing a big picture of Swansea all together and the places within our community that are special to us. We also enjoyed the Mr and Mrs Quiz - a fun gameshow where each counterpart pair had to come to the front and were asked questions about each other to see how well we all know each other.
On Saturday night it was the big party, so we got into our costumes (bought during the charity shop challenge). Seeing everyone dressed up was HILARIOUS and interesting that every single one of the guys dressed up as a woman. We particulary liked Eliot's silky pink nightie, the underpants Mwata wore on her head and of course Christina and Naomi for fitting into the same dress!! First off at the party was the big fashion show where we paraded our outfits and judged which was best...the winner was MWATA!!!
Next we had a yummy dinner of pasta, couscous, salad, rice, potato wedges and other yummy things. Followed by the TALENT SHOW! Frank was our compere for the talent show and each of us went up and showed a talent. We had beautiful singing, music and dancing from Ngawa, Fatness, Mwata, Jessy, Frank, Paul, Mwansa, Prudence, Jackson, Naomi, Christina and Henry. We had an awesome GX song written by Charlotte (who was the also the winner of the competition - well done!). Matt 'the genuis' Goldup told us the capital city of every country, Ness told everyone their birthday, we had an invisible juggling lesson from Tommy, a traditional Welsh story told by Dom and acted out by Eliot and Luchembe. And last by not least we had the INCREDIBLE human bed, performed by Maggie, Vally, Eliot and Jessy - WOWWWW! It was amazing to see how much talent there is in team 94.
The party finished off with the legendary chocoloate game which quickly descended into us all turning on each other to get as much chocolate as possible (team players? HA!) and then dancing the night away and watching a very interesting video about recyling (rock on).
Sunday morning began with another session on host homes and volunteer placements and we did lots of role plays to show the problems we've faced, funny moments and what we can do to improve. For 2 hours in the morning we all got stuck in doing some physical voluntary work at the camp (gardening, weeding, making drains, making a path). Then after another yummy picnic lunch we finished up the weekend with some games and an award ceremony lead by Matt.
We said goodbye to the beautiful Llamadoc and piled onto a tiny bus to head back to Swansea (literally piled into the bus - poor locals). We had an awesome weekend and learnt lots about each other, developed our relationships, tackled the ups and the downs, challenged ourselves to be open and honest and came out of it the other end with big beaming smiles. A big thank you to the MPR committee for organising the weekend and to the rest of the team for being so receptive and hard working during it. It really made us see what a special team we are :-)
The purpose of the MPR was to have fun, have a break from our host community, get to know each other and trust each other more, review all that's happened so far (the challenges, the highs, the lows, the group dynamics, the relationships between counterpart pairs etc) and think how we can improve it for the rest our exchange.
On the Friday afternoon before we left Swansea we did the ‘Charity Shop Challenge’ around Swansea city centre. The aim of the game was to get the craziest outfit possible (to wear at the party the following night) using a maximum of £5, in the space of 45 minutes ad only buying from charity shops. Each volunteer also had to tell at least 3 members of the public what GX is and make people happy, while we were running around town and we all wore our green GX t-shirts to get noticed a bit more.
The purpose of the challenge was to promote recylcing and reusing as part of the wider global issue of eco-friendly, ethical shopping and the impact of consumerism on the environment,spread the message of GX to the wider public and have fun...which we did :-)
We arrived in Llamadoc later that evening and walked to our venue which was St Madoc Christian Youth Camp - a hostel type centre with dorms, self-catering facilities, football pitch, beach volleyball, woods, and amazing views over long sandy beaches. On the Friday night we had a big BBQ, cooked mainly by head chef Eliot (thank youuuu!) and watched the sun setting over the beautiful Welsh countryside, ahhhh!
Saturday we were up bright and early to start our first session at 9am. We played lots of games during the day and did sessions on group dynamics and the different roles we play within the group, what a team needs to succeed, counterpart relationships and how they can be improved adn the cross-cultural differences and issues and hpw they can be dealt with. It was a very intense day as lots of issues were brought up, but we all felt it was good to be open with each other so we can keep building on our relationships and make team 94 the best team it can possibly be. Highlights of the day were.... drawing a big picture of Swansea all together and the places within our community that are special to us. We also enjoyed the Mr and Mrs Quiz - a fun gameshow where each counterpart pair had to come to the front and were asked questions about each other to see how well we all know each other.
On Saturday night it was the big party, so we got into our costumes (bought during the charity shop challenge). Seeing everyone dressed up was HILARIOUS and interesting that every single one of the guys dressed up as a woman. We particulary liked Eliot's silky pink nightie, the underpants Mwata wore on her head and of course Christina and Naomi for fitting into the same dress!! First off at the party was the big fashion show where we paraded our outfits and judged which was best...the winner was MWATA!!!
Next we had a yummy dinner of pasta, couscous, salad, rice, potato wedges and other yummy things. Followed by the TALENT SHOW! Frank was our compere for the talent show and each of us went up and showed a talent. We had beautiful singing, music and dancing from Ngawa, Fatness, Mwata, Jessy, Frank, Paul, Mwansa, Prudence, Jackson, Naomi, Christina and Henry. We had an awesome GX song written by Charlotte (who was the also the winner of the competition - well done!). Matt 'the genuis' Goldup told us the capital city of every country, Ness told everyone their birthday, we had an invisible juggling lesson from Tommy, a traditional Welsh story told by Dom and acted out by Eliot and Luchembe. And last by not least we had the INCREDIBLE human bed, performed by Maggie, Vally, Eliot and Jessy - WOWWWW! It was amazing to see how much talent there is in team 94.
The party finished off with the legendary chocoloate game which quickly descended into us all turning on each other to get as much chocolate as possible (team players? HA!) and then dancing the night away and watching a very interesting video about recyling (rock on).
Sunday morning began with another session on host homes and volunteer placements and we did lots of role plays to show the problems we've faced, funny moments and what we can do to improve. For 2 hours in the morning we all got stuck in doing some physical voluntary work at the camp (gardening, weeding, making drains, making a path). Then after another yummy picnic lunch we finished up the weekend with some games and an award ceremony lead by Matt.
We said goodbye to the beautiful Llamadoc and piled onto a tiny bus to head back to Swansea (literally piled into the bus - poor locals). We had an awesome weekend and learnt lots about each other, developed our relationships, tackled the ups and the downs, challenged ourselves to be open and honest and came out of it the other end with big beaming smiles. A big thank you to the MPR committee for organising the weekend and to the rest of the team for being so receptive and hard working during it. It really made us see what a special team we are :-)
Friday 15 May 2009
Brief overview of life at SPARK!
Ok so Frank and I (Christina) have the privilege to be volunteering at a certain youth centre/club and even organise our very own Cultural session. A slightly ironic part to this session is that the young people we invite have difficulty understanding the concept of culture but...we persevere!
Anyway, what have we been up to...Well every tuesday fom 6pm till 9pm the Bleanymaes youths are welcomed into the local community centre to have some fun and do some activities such as creating a papier mache volcano. Frank and I initially just loitered around but soon we we're chatting, playing and doodling with anyone who was around. It's been so rewarding to see a progression in relationships such as Marc (11 year old boy who comes to every youth club activity EVER) casually leaning on me or insisting I come play pool with him. These little details make me feel like I blend in to the surroundings and can flutter into different games or activities freely and welcomed. That is what is so great about the youth club nights. Nothing is set in stone: it is purely an informal place for young people to gather, to talk between themselves or talk to us youth workers, no pressure but always an invitation.
The most rewarding aspect of life at Spark has been the Cultural sessions that we plan, organise and perform at our leisure. The responsibility on us to communicate clearly and correctly our ideas is sizeable but the set up is as always informal and encouraging. Our supervisor Ioan has been amazing at supplying us with the right amount of freedom (we have no set budget and any ideas are welcome) whilst discreetly feeding us advice and criticism in the form of a friday review that keeps us on our toes! The first thursday we led was an introduction and as any introduction we presented the main theme: Culture. We have a map ( Frank and I spent a whole day making it so it represents our first achievment with pride) around which we commence every thursday. On the Culture day we had a string illustrating Frank's travel from Zambia to the U.K.
'You came all the way from Africa to be here with us?' They (7 young people) asked inquisitively.
'Um...'
I can safely say Frank and I have been dedicated to our thursday session which have included drumming, drawing, cooking nshima and banoffee pie, human bingo, making cup phones, quizzes and supplying snippets of valuable information such as how many languages they speak in India (we did a session on communication so this was relevant)...
But it would be wrong for me to let you see the world (Spark) through rose tinted glasses. Now I will expose our challenges. Number 1 is the difficulty in getting young people to come. Yesterday was our most disheartening experience when no one except Marc came (I told you he always comes)! It was a real shame as it was probably the topic most useful and relevant to them: Sexual Health. However we now have a greater incentive to spread the word and get those young people participating! I will not surrender!
Another challenge has been maintaining their attention. One of our considerations in planning the sessions is ensuring they are always kept busy as relying on them patiently listening is not an option! This applies to all young people as even Team 94 needs nurturing in the form of regular energisers and fun!
So thats the story so far...but maybe Frank can share another side to it...
Anyway, what have we been up to...Well every tuesday fom 6pm till 9pm the Bleanymaes youths are welcomed into the local community centre to have some fun and do some activities such as creating a papier mache volcano. Frank and I initially just loitered around but soon we we're chatting, playing and doodling with anyone who was around. It's been so rewarding to see a progression in relationships such as Marc (11 year old boy who comes to every youth club activity EVER) casually leaning on me or insisting I come play pool with him. These little details make me feel like I blend in to the surroundings and can flutter into different games or activities freely and welcomed. That is what is so great about the youth club nights. Nothing is set in stone: it is purely an informal place for young people to gather, to talk between themselves or talk to us youth workers, no pressure but always an invitation.
The most rewarding aspect of life at Spark has been the Cultural sessions that we plan, organise and perform at our leisure. The responsibility on us to communicate clearly and correctly our ideas is sizeable but the set up is as always informal and encouraging. Our supervisor Ioan has been amazing at supplying us with the right amount of freedom (we have no set budget and any ideas are welcome) whilst discreetly feeding us advice and criticism in the form of a friday review that keeps us on our toes! The first thursday we led was an introduction and as any introduction we presented the main theme: Culture. We have a map ( Frank and I spent a whole day making it so it represents our first achievment with pride) around which we commence every thursday. On the Culture day we had a string illustrating Frank's travel from Zambia to the U.K.
'You came all the way from Africa to be here with us?' They (7 young people) asked inquisitively.
'Um...'
I can safely say Frank and I have been dedicated to our thursday session which have included drumming, drawing, cooking nshima and banoffee pie, human bingo, making cup phones, quizzes and supplying snippets of valuable information such as how many languages they speak in India (we did a session on communication so this was relevant)...
But it would be wrong for me to let you see the world (Spark) through rose tinted glasses. Now I will expose our challenges. Number 1 is the difficulty in getting young people to come. Yesterday was our most disheartening experience when no one except Marc came (I told you he always comes)! It was a real shame as it was probably the topic most useful and relevant to them: Sexual Health. However we now have a greater incentive to spread the word and get those young people participating! I will not surrender!
Another challenge has been maintaining their attention. One of our considerations in planning the sessions is ensuring they are always kept busy as relying on them patiently listening is not an option! This applies to all young people as even Team 94 needs nurturing in the form of regular energisers and fun!
So thats the story so far...but maybe Frank can share another side to it...
Monday 11 May 2009
GX Factor
Last Wednesday saw the first event organised fully by Team 94. I was an amazing a really amazing night with everyone contributing. I have to say when we were running through the order, I was not sure we were going to be able to pull it off, but then everyone pulled together and with some great Welsh singing and brilliant Zambian dancing I think we managed to pull off a great night all round.
Christine and Luchembe hosted the night running through the line up and introducing each section. We started with a brilliant slide show of what we have been doing so far as a team. Which went down really well and people have been commenting on how great the pictures were ever since. Good work Ness!. This was followed by a fun Welsh song to let everyone know we have been getting to know the local culture. Eliot led this session and hats off to him to just going for it and making it so much fun.
The African Community Centres young peoples dance group then did some Hip Hop and African dancing. As ever this was a great success and so inspiring to see young people really showing off their talents. We then took time to enjoy the wonderful food cooked by Miranda, one of our host parents. The food looked and tasted gorgeous. Deserts were made be the whole global exchange team and went down a treat.
After food Ngawa and Matt did a quiz, which really got the audience talking and shouting by the end of it. But we had some happy winners in the end. The last part of the evening was all about the dancing . It started with a fantastic traditional Zambian dance lead by Mwansa and the girls, but was ambushed by Frank and Luchembe. This was followed up by a Zambian style dance called 'two by two'. It was taught by Frank and Mwata and
involved the whole group. It even had live drumming by Henry and Jackson. It was great fun perform and I think the audience enjoyed it as well.I just wanted to to say thank you so much to everyone. It was an amazing night and I was so proud to be part of the team. You are all amazing!!
Thursday 30 April 2009
The Story so far........
The UK volunteers met in Cardiff on Friday the 20th March, sadly the Zambian volunteers were held up due to problems with the Visas. On Monday 23rd March a further 3 volunteers joined the group after being told it was currently too dangerous to go to Pakistan. On the same day all the UK volunteers were introduced to their host families.
The next two weeks was spent getting to know Swansea, host families and various community projects. Oh and each other. The community welcome, sadly without the Zambian counterpart, was carried out as planned on the 31st March and was a huge success. The night saw a lot of drumming, dancing and of course lots of very good food.
So after a few delays and a couple of unexpected arrivals, all 19 volunteers and the 2 programme supervisors were in Swansea on Wednesday 1st April. After a good party on the Thursday night, the whole group spent the following week getting to know each other and learning about one anothers cultures and expectations.
On the 13th April saw most counterparts starting their works placements. This was a very exciting time with a lot of new relationships and partnerships being forged between volunteers and agencies. The placements were as follows:
Ness & Jackson - Connect/
Fatness & Tommy - Down to Earth/ Dylan Thomas comprehensive
Maggie & Paul - SYSHP/ African Community Centre
Ngawa & Matt - Swansea community farm
Vally & Mwata - Mo Green Project
Prudence & Elliots & Jessy - St Helen's Primary School
Naomi & Mwansa - Discovery
Luchembe & Charlotte - Swansea Youth Services
Franklin & Christina - SPARK youth centre
The team has been together for about 4 weeks now and are developing its own dynamics and working style. They have been actively getting involved in various projects such as two Easter Sunday events, volunteering with the Swansea Bay Refugee and Asylum seeks group plus much more. They have a lots more planned for the up and coming weeks, including the 'GX - Factor'.
This is an opportunity to welcome the Zambian volunteers as well as giving local community development projects the chance to network. The event will be at St Helen's Primary School, Wednesday 06th May at 5.30pm. Everyone is welcome!!!
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