Chingalala HIV/AIDS Support Group
Time is our scarcest resource here. I think most of us are feeling the press of too many people and places left to experience in Zambezi and too few hours and minutes left to have those experiences.
So I take comfort in Benjamin Disraeli’s words “But what minutes! Count them by sensation, and not by calendars and each moment is a day.”
I am also torn by choosing between having the sensations and taking a little time to savor and record them. Previous journeys to Nicaragua and Vietnam have taught me that, in fact, I do forget names and places I think I will remember forever, so I am frequently jotting down a name or note in a little notebook, and have developed an unnatural attachment to my pen, a functioning one being a scarce commodity here.
Here, in no particular order, are some of the ordinary/extraordinary sensations I don’t want to forget: going to new market and old market to buy eggs, pineapple juice, macha macha (and one more chitengue!), inspiring conversations with Mama Josephine, Mama Love, Bessie (the powerful DEBS) and her tolerant, wise, funny husband Victor, hearing the creative and somewhat obscene metaphors developed by Natalie and Jonathan for the Zambian version of medically accurate sex education, observing Erin’s amazing energy in the Chilenga classroom, and Joe, Lauren, and Constanza’s commitment to hearing the stories of both Juliuses, Mary, and Chansa in the leadership class, that annoying mosquito that bothers me at night, and the cry of the poor goat we picked up in Mama Kawatu’s village, Hikaru’s bravery as we cross the Zambezi in the tippy banana boat, Grace showing us how to eat Nshima, Aubrey and the chicken, walking through deep sand to another amazing sunset, the frustrations of getting the brazier started when there is no power, and the incomparable satisfaction of the first sip of coffee after the water finally boils (thanks Blake!), the charm of the little girls dressed in white dancing up the aisle during mass, Brit and Lauren’s dancing with the Makeshi, Kellie’s story of her intimate homestay, John’s pragmatic idealism and card-playing expertise, Katie teasing Uncle E and Christina coaching him about patience, the unexpected shower I got when the Landrover blasted through a watery and deeper-than-expected ditch on the way to Chinyingi, football coach Owen, and his always energetic brothers, the overwhelming powerlessness I felt when the Chilgolala HIV/AIDS support group shared their stories and hopes that I could help them and introduced me to a young man the same age as my son so weakened by the disease that he could not stand, and yet, he gave us a courageous smile…
I have felt despair and hope here, ultimately more inspired than discouraged by the Africa I now know just a little bit. I admire the visions and personal courage of the Zambians I have met. I ponder the structural and political forces that make prosperity so seemingly unattainable for most.
As you can tell, the Gonzaga students have enriched my time here as much as the Zambians have, reminding me of the incomparably deep passion and diverse talents of twenty-somethings who I am counting on in solidarity with their African counterparts to add some pieces to this incredible paradoxical puzzle of poverty and potential that is Zambezi, Africa as well as hometown, USA
A final memory: How are you? How are you, chindele?
This Chindele, letting go of a big professional and political chapter of my life at home, completely unaware of what the next chapter will bring, eating cassava and dancing in a class room celebration at Chilenga basic and scrambling up the bank of the Zambezi to the amusement of the locals, is fine, just fine!
Kisu Mwane
Senator Lisa Brown, Gonzaga faculty
Thanks for your thoughtful comments and memories from the trip, and especially for your impressions of our children! While there is so much more for Group 1 to experience, we do look forward to your return home in one short week!
Love to all
I feel like I got another look into your team and your time in Zambezi in this reflection, and I am anxious to hear more memories! Thank you for writing this, Lisa, and enjoy the time you have left in Africa, everyone!
Aubs and Christina! I’ve been moving into my house in the spo and haven’t had any internet! So I had to do some major catching up on my blog reading. Anyways I cannot believe you are already leaving Zambezi! Time has flown by all too quickly. Enjoy your time in Livingstone and soak up every second you have with your group. I can’t wait to talk to you both! LOVE YOU!!!!
Group 1, your time in Zambezi has come to an end. All of you should be very proud of yourselfs. Each and everyone of you have made a difference in the lives of the people of Zambezi and they have of yours.
Group 2, As your journey in Zambezi begins remember to live, love and give all you can. Leave your footprints in Zambezi and take a part of Zambezi home with you in your hearts.
Have a wonderful journey.
Teri
Lisa,
I cannot say that I am not envious that you were able to travel with this incredible group of students. Knowing some of them personally and getting to know them through their post has been a true blessing in my life. I think reading your post (next to Lauren’s of course) 😉 moved me to tears deeper than any other as it comes from a Mother’s perspective in my eyes. You truly got “see” who these young adults are and how much they have to offer the World. They are our future and if they bring home all of the gifts you speak of our World will truly be a better place. I think all of us at home are changing and learning with all of you. Thank you for sharing your perspective, joy, passion and most importantly your time to accompany our children on this life journey! I look forward to meeting you. Safe travels!
My GU friends, I am now counting the hours until I see you in London!! Love and hugs to all of you as you conclude your journey and begin writing the next chapters in your life story….wow! What a novel it will be!
Kim
P.S. Lauren you cannot even imagine how much I miss you!!!!! I think even Preston is sensing it and coming in to talk and visit with me at night and you now how huge that is lol 🙂 See you oh so soon my love!!! Love you to the tip of God’s nose and back! xo
Lisa,
Thank you for your post and your reflection, thank you for your comments of this incredible group of young adults (our kids), and thank you for the time you shared with them in this INCREDIBLE journey called Zambia…..
…. And THANK YOU to each member of this amazing group for your posts, they gave me the opportunity to live and learn with you from your experience in Zambezi , many times I was moving to tears with your reflections and your stories, but I enjoyed immensely EVERY word was written here.
Enyoy you last days in Zambia!!!!
Now I’m just waiting for you Constanza …..when you pack be sure to “fold tightly not just the memory, but also the intention”, as you wrote in your post… I can’t wait to see you back at home!
GRACIAS A TODOS!!!…Gaby (Constanza’s mom!)
Thank you Lisa, for sharing your reflections of Zambia and our children. Enjoy your final days and minutes to the fullest. May all of you have safe travels home.
Blake, can’t wait to skype with you
oxox mom
Katie!! Gosh your post was so beautifully written…it brought me to tears 🙂 I can’t even tell you how proud I am of you and how happy I am that you’ve gotten to have this incredible experience and touch the life of every Zambian person you’ve met 🙂 I miss you so so much and think of you every day!! I’m sending you hugs upon hugs and can’t wait to be reunited! Love you and loved picturing you seeing the elephants!! Xoxo times a million
-Linds
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