High highs and low lows

As I near the two month mark, I am conscious of how my feelings towards my placement experience have ebbed and flowed.  There have been days when I've been ready to pack my bag and head for the airport, and others that have made me think that six months couldn't possibly be long enough.

I've explained to some folks in various emails that it's really a challenge to get information around here.  Consequently, I've reflected a lot on that saying "knowledge is power".  It really is true.  Most of the time, I feel utterly powerless and it's usually due to a lack of knowledge on a particular subject.  I'm used to planning ahead for meetings in order to understand the purpose of the meeting, to know who is going to be there, to have the right facts and figures available.  But the game has changed entirely over here.  I routinely get called into meetings that are happening in five minutes (or that started half an hour ago) and am expected to say something intelligent.  Mostly, I feel foolish in these situations.

Where all the big planning business gets done...

My office is the middle door.  Sometimes there are chickens pecking away at things on the "lawn" out front.

On the other hand, the work I have done is appreciated.  This morning, the Chief Health Inspector needed someone to draft a floor plan for a new facility they're planning.  Our draughtsman/surveyor was out for the day doing some fieldwork, so naturally the project fell into my hands.  The design had to be done in AutoCAD... but the last time I seriously used AutoCAD was in 1999.  As you can imagine, the program has changed a bit.   Though it was a struggle, the Chief Inspector came back later in the day and was seriously appreciative of the work.  He said something along the lines of, "This will finally make it look like we've got our act together!"

I was promptly dragged into a meeting to comment on how to redesign one of the markets in town.  No small task (see my previous comments on Choma market).

Colourful crafts at the Dutch Reform market in Lusaka.  The church holds a fantastic craft market every month.

Despite the work challenges, the social life continues to be fun.  Last Thursday, I traveled to Lusaka for some meetings with government ministries.  I also took the opportunity to visit with some friends in town.  I stayed with Jerry and Ilene, who are also VSO volunteers.  Ilene and I were part of the same training sessions in Ottawa in April and June, so it was great to reconnect.  They are both working for an organization called Pestalozzi, which runs a terrific school for disadvantaged kids.  On Saturday afternoon, the staff and kids put on a show for trustees, donors and other interested people, which of course we went to see.  It was also the birthday of another VSO colleague, Dan.   The organization he's working for mounts drama, dancing and drumming performances to educate about HIV/AIDS issues.  The birthday party on Saturday night was tons of fun, and involved a series of performances by Dan's colleagues.  Since Dan plays the drums back home in the UK, they gave him an African drum as a birthday gift. 

Pestalozzi kids entertaining the crowd.

Dan receiving his birthday present from colleagues

Dan's wife Helen, and my roommate Rob were also there.  On Sunday afternoon, before heading back to Mazabuka, the six of us went to see a Rugby Sevens tournament at the Lusaka Showgrounds.  There were teams from all over Southern Africa (South Africa, Zambia, Kenya, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Uganda).  We were delighted to see the Zambian ladies win the women's trophy.  The Zambian men put in a good show but the Zimbabwean team won the final against a South African team.  All in all, it was pretty great weekend!

Zambian men's rugby team consoling each other after the game.

Happy spectators: Dan, Helen and Rob