Today was the day that we departed for Zambezi for the next three weeks. What an exciting day of transition and new beginnings. For me, this morning did not start off as bright and early as it normally would. Because we were flying in (comically) small bush planes from Livingstone to Zambezi, the group was split in half today, Luckily, I was in the afternoon group and didn’t have to wake up at 6:00 AM.
The afternoon group passed the time before we went to Livingstone’s small airport by crossing the street and visiting the ShopRite, where we got an assortment of sandwiches and ice cream to share. For some reason, I got an egg salad sandwich which was quickly met with judgement and was later shamed on the plane.
From chatting at the hostel, enjoying high tea and even just a quick stop at the grocery store, this past week has been an amazing culmination of connection, wonder and learning. As we transition from a week full of activities and magical sightseeing, to the bulk of our program in Zambezi, I feel grateful for the week we have had and am beyond excited for what’s to come.
There have been so many moments throughout this week that have made it all so special. Passing the long bus ride by giggling with old and new friends. Navigating local markets in Livingstone together. Sitting around a campfire, sharing vulnerable truths and cracking childish jokes. Walking across a soaking and slippery bridge at Victoria Falls, shrieking, shaking and sopping with utter excitement and glee. All of these moments made this week one that we will never forget and have set a strong foundation of connection and bonding that has prepared us for our transformative experience in Zambezi.
Once we were at the airport, we met our pilot, Jason, who took us out to the tarmac. Antsy but excited, Taylor, Becca and I, were shocked by how small the plane was.
We quickly loaded into the bush planes, packed in like a bunch of sardines, put our headsets on, and we were off! As we ascended, we looked out the right window, watching the magical mist of Victoria Falls from a bird’s eye view as we flew over Livingstone and on toward Zambezi. Reaching up to 8,800 feet and flying through thick white clouds, we let out nervous giggles and chatted through our headsets. Kathleen got a flight lesson from Jason and even controlled the plane briefly!
After our two-hour flight, we finally touched down in Zambezi. Upon arrival, we were greeted by the Chilena Basic School choir, singing a joyous welcome song. The voices of 20 students harmonizing, clapping and swaying as they held a sign that read: Welcome Gonzaga University to Chilena Basic School. We quickly boarded off the plane, greeting the choir singers and other Zambezi community members and children. I instantly felt overcome with a surplus of emotions and couldn’t help but cry happy tears at the beauty of this moment. As I wiped my tears, my eyes were met with a sea of smiling faces, my ears met with welcoming words and a blend of harmonious voices.
to welcome each of us Zags to Zambezi.
We walked to the convent (our home base for the next three weeks) and we were joined by a parade of kids, just as excited to meet us as we were to meet them. We settled into the convent and were warmly greeted by Mama Katendi. Later in the evening, we went out to the yard to play with our new friends. We taught them duck duck goose and they taught us a game called red rover. Once the sun had set, we parted ways with our new friends and all enjoyed our first meal in the convent, prepared my Mama Katendi and Mama Kristine. We rehearsed a Lunda song for church tomorrow and had our nightly reflection as usual.
In the next three weeks, we will continue to connect with each other, connect with the people of Zambezi, opening our hearts and minds to all there is to learn and relish in. We will forge meaningful connections while we teach our respective classes and work in the local hospital. The new faces that greeted us today will quickly turn to familiar ones. This introduction to Zambezi couldn’t have been better and I cannot wait for the next three weeks and what they hold.
Sending love to my mama, family and girls back home. Your love and support have made this experience possible.
Mia Stillman
Gonzaga class of ‘27
Mia, we’ve been following your adventures and this post brought me to tears. What an amazing adventure you’re having! Thank you for sharing!
Oh, and for the future, no egg salad or tuna sandwiches on any aircraft. Your fellow travelers will thank you.
We love you!
Michele, Mark, Molly, Megan & Winnie
Hi from Copperopolis!! DUDE THIS SOUNDS SO SICK! The three of us just read your blog out loud around the table, and your writing was so vivid that we felt like we were right there with you on that plane! We miss you hella, but this seems like an incredible and once in a lifetime opportunity, and we are so excited that you are embracing it with your whole heart. Also hi to Ellie ❤️ We love you and miss you so much and can’t wait to hear how your journey develops! #shotsoutformia
– UMLTC (lauren, harpy, dani)
We are so thrilled to read about this amazing experience you are all having! What an adventure of a lifetime ❤️
Sarah L. -The Dog Days Song Love Ya
Mia! Thank you for this lovely description of your time so far. It makes me so happy to see what an open heart you are bringing to this adventure. Your description of landing at your new home base spoke volumes about the wisdom that you have to share and also your generous capacity to take in the gifts that are being offered you in return. It’s a profound journey you are on – thank you for giving us a glimpse into it! Love you!
Another post making us feel we’re right there with you! (Especially the egg-salad-sandwich-shaming.) 😉 Loving *every* post but this one from my own girl is a hug to the heart. Feels like just yesterday we dropped you off for your first year of college – hoping the values we’d raised you with had been well planted, ready to grow strong in the soil of your new Gonzaga life. Mia, your post reflects what I prayed your Zag years would continue to foster in you and your peers: a lean towards gratitude, brave engagement, a continued love of learning, staying open/curious about others and true to yourself, creating strong community that helps *all involved* leap toward positive impact, purposeful risk-taking, and JOY.
Reading of your bush plane landing and welcome-through-song-happy-tears on the Zambezi tarmac made those happy tears contagious. Beautiful. Picturing you walking into the convent this evening had me envisioning our beloved musical moment of young, nervous Fräulein Maria singing “I Have Confidence” as she leaves the abbey to begin her new unknown with the VonTrapp family. Scared, but fueled by love, song and a kick in her heels!
As you all head into the essence of your time in Zambia, know this family couldn’t be more proud to follow along as you thoughtfully (and fiercely) buck the growing and concerning home-country trend toward isolationism. May these weeks of fostering connection, cooperation and actively engaging in the interconnections of our modern world bring you personal and shared doses of hope and purpose. And even if a little scared when you first walk through those classroom and hospital doors, may you be fueled by love, song and a kick in your heels!
Thank you, Jeff, James, Lucia, Pilot Jason, Brief-Pilot-Kathleen (what?!), Mama Katendi, Mama Kristine, Chilena Basic School and Zambezi community!
Go ZamFam ’25!
And … LOVE YA LIKE CRAZY, Mia!
xoxo,
Elisa (Mia’s Mama)
Here here!
So cool Mia! Hope you’re having so much fun!
Thank you, Mia, for your post. It’s always so exciting to read the updates and see the pictures of your adventures! Wow, that plane was smaller than I imagined, and the views must have been breathtaking. What an amazing experience! Sarah, sounds like you took the morning flight – I wonder if it was smooth sailing or more like a safari-style roller coaster? I look forward to hearing all about it when you return.
Mia, it brought tears to our eyes reading about the warm welcome you all received and the new friends you’re making. It’s wonderful to hear about your first dinner at the convent, the games you played with the children, rehearsing the Lunda song, and your nightly reflection routine.
Wishing you all the best over the next three weeks. We look forward to reading more as your experiences continue, friendships and connections deepen, and you begin teaching your classes.
Sarah, I love you so much! Love Mom
Hi Sarah, It’s Dad. I am filled with tears of joy and gratitude hearing what the special love in your heart is experiencing and sharing!!! ♥️ Soak in the light of God and BE with your peers and the local people in a far-off land! I am always with you and can’t wait to give you a giant squish!
So beyond excited for you, Mia. Wishing you luck and I hope you use this time to reflect and share all of the love you have to give!! Sending you love. Chloe
Mia so happy for you and this life changing opportunity you are on!
Amazing blog that brought tears to my eyes
What an amazing experience.
Enjoy every moment!
So excited for you, Mia! What an amazing experience you’re having and are about to have. I know you have so much to give with your open and curious heart. And, I trust you will be receiving even more than you’ve anticipated.
I couldn’t be prouder of you and I’m looking forward to journeying with you all.
The bush plane sounds like quite the experience (hold the egg sandwich).
In the midst of these chaotic times it gives me hope to see your generation reaching out, sharing, including and loving others.
I am so grateful you chose Gonzaga!
A very proud, Grandpa.
Love you, Sweetie (Choppy)
I can’t believe you let Kathleen fly the plane!!!! You all really did have an adventure in a small aircraft. The singing of the choir must have been amazing, it brought tears to my eyes imagining your welcome. Enjoy your immersion in this new community.
Love you Kathleen – Mom
Grateful for your girl’s steady hands! What an experience to be armchair-traveling this one as “mom,” no? Bless them all, Kathleen! 🙂 Elisa (Mia’s Mom)
Wow, Mia, what an exciting adventure in so many ways. I love reading about your experience and can’t wait to hear about all the wonderful things you will do and memories you are making. I’m so proud of you for taking this trip. Who knew! I can only imagine how full your heart will be, the bonds you will make with all sorts of people that you’re only meeting today. Me thinks it will be very emotional when you have to leave as well. Rock that egg salad sandwich, no matter what everyone says!!! Soak it all in! I love you sweetie, and so look forward to reading about all your adventures along the way. What a nice warm welcome all of you received. Enjoy your first full day. Big hugs – miss you. Lots of love. Jay
What an amazing experience, Mia! I’m looking forward to reading more about your adventures and seeing photos. This is the experience of a lifetime! xo Rebecca Riseman
Oh mighty Mia! Reading this felt like sitting in the coziest seat on the bush plane right next to you – laughing at the egg salad slander, tearing up at the choir’s welcome, and the joy of duck-duck-goose with your new friends in the Zambezi dusk.
Your post is so beautifully written – thoughtful, brave, and joyful. Working at a Jesuit high school, I often talk about values like being people for others, building community, and meeting the world with curiosity and courage—and here you are, living all of it. What moves me most is your heart and curiosity. The way you are showing up, open to connection. You’re soaking in the beauty around you while offering your own light in return, and that’s no small thing.
These next weeks will stretch you in beautiful ways, and I have no doubt you will continue to meet each moment with grace, grit, and your humor. Looking forward to following along.
A huge heartfelt thanks to the Zambebi family for the warmth, care, and kindness you have already shown the Zag family.
Love you lots, Mia!
Hi Mia! So very exciting. This is an adventure of a lifetime! Can’t wait to hear more as you get to know the community and have many stories to share. Enjoy every minute of it.
Lots of love,
Nimi Tarango
Wow, such an exciting day! I am looking forward to hearing all about it when you’re home! I hope tomorrow is another amazing day! You are very brave for participating in such an experience and I am proud of you. I hope you gain lots from this trip and help many. I love and miss you! xoxo, Bennett
PS. Egg salad was a… choice, and I applaud your peers for enduring that.
Mia,
Wake up to find out that you are the eyes of the world
The heart has its beaches, its homeland and thoughts of its own
Wake now, discover that you are the song that the mornin’ brings
But the heart has its seasons, its evenin’s and songs of its own
Thank you for taking us along on your journey, with your beautiful words and worldview. Continue to discover with your heart, share your gifts, humbly receive the same from others and most importantly…keep laughing and smiling.
A very special thanks to Zambezi, your hosts, fellow Zags and to all the new friends who have so warmly welcomed you to their world with song.
Our love to you always!
Sometimes we live, no particular way but our own
Sometimes we visit your country and live in your home
Sometimes we ride on your horses, sometimes we walk alone
Sometimes the songs that we hear are just songs of our own
-RH/JG
I need a miracle!
Mia, this is such a wonderful depiction of these amazing experiences! I’m excited for what’s ahead, and look forward to reading more. I feel as if I’m there with you! Enjoy those scary little planes, and egg salad sandwich is always a good choice!
Thank you for posting
Mia this was awesome!! I’m in bed picturing these things happening, it’s incredible!! I miss you soooo much in this moment but I’m loving these updates and am excited to see what happens next! Keep exploring and giggling my girl, love you!!!
Mia this sounds like an awesome adventure – especially the plane part! It looks like you all are having such a wonderful time. Love keeping up through the blogs, and looking forward to more stories 🙂
I am so thrilled you are in Zambezi and were welcomed with open arms. I’m in awe of the bravery and adventurous spirit that you all have! Way to face your fears and do the Victoria Falls swing, Natalie!! I miss you:-)
Mia!!! I am an Auntie beaming with joy. I am so so proud of you! What a gift to be able to have this once in a lifetime experience. Kingston and I are sending you all kinds of love!
Natalie-
I can’t believe you jumped off that rope swing!! One of the things I admire most about you is your open-mindedness and willingness to jump in (literally lol) and try new things. I know you are learning so much through this, and bringing light and humor into every situation you encounter. I can’t wait to hear all your stories when you come back (and very realistic impressions in true Natalie style). I miss you and I’m so proud of you!
Mia, thank you for that beautifully written and detailed description of the days event. I felt like I was there with you. I could feel the nervousness of the flight too but so happy you all made it in okay. Have an amazing time and can’t wait to hear more stories!
Mia,
What a great week for you and the ZamZags! Hearing about your week takes me back to when I was in Zambia a year ago. I’m glad you are starting to get settled at the convent and getting ready for your programs! Mama Katendi and Mama Kristine are the best cooks ever so get ready for some amazing meals (tell them I say hi and that I miss them!). Have a wonderful time at church and exploring Zambezi.
-Ellie Powers, ZamFam ‘24
P.S. Who doesn’t love an egg salad sandwich?! They’re the best, ya’ll are trippin!
Natalie! You are so brave and I admire you for how you are so willing to take on new adventures like this one. Everything you are doing sounds so amazing and I can’t wait to hear all about it. Miss you so much! I hope you continue to have an incredible time!
Ahhh, the sweet face of these children…your new extended family! You all will change these students’ lives, but I believe you will all be even more profoundly changed! Sending love and hugs from the Bay Area! xoxo ❤️
Thank you for this beautiful description of your arrival in Zambezi! Your words helped me experience all of the emotions right along with you. I laughed at the egg salad shaming, held my breath through the paragraph describing the bush plane ride and cried just a little bit when I read about the community welcome.
Missing you like crazy Taylor and loved seeing your smiling face in today’s post.
Yay Mia! I am so impressed by you all and your great attitudes every step of the way. Im so excited to hear more stories from Zambezi. You are a great writer. I am so invested in the Zam Fam blog. Sending love.
I love this and you. Thanks for sharing and letting us live vicariously, you intrepid adventurer! Enjoy every moment (it seems clear that you are and will…). So happy for you and frankly, for all of us, since you (no pressure intended) bode well for our future. Take good care. Ox Ellen
Mia, thanks for this update. It gave us a taste of a day in the life of your transformative journey. I’m really proud of you! Well done to all of you, you are really stretching. The welcoming choir and play time with the students melts our hearts. Can’t wait to hear how the bonds develop over the coming weeks.
Some of us Zags can get kind of nerdy, and I loved being reminded of the quest for the origin of the Nile River with your visit to Livingstone (David). Thanks for inspiring us on many levels. Just spent 30 minutes with my National Geographic World Atlas, reviewing your destinations! God Bless you Zags in service, the Chilena school community & all of those involved in helping make your visit a reality. Love you!
Mia!!! Not sure if you’ll still see this…but your journalist skills are shining through this post! Eva read this aloud to me and I was smiling the whole time! I know exactly what your happy tears look like and can imagine how duck duck goose went. I’m smiling thinking about you experiencing all these new people and skills. We miss you but can’t wait to hear all about it when you’re home. Love ya!