Be bold, be Zambitious. These were the first words I saw as I stepped off the plane in Zambia and even though our group had a good laugh at the phrase, it was one that has stuck in my mind for the past week. Ambitious by definition is to have a strong desire for a specific goal, and as I repeated the phrase within my mind I asked myself “What does Zambitious mean to me? What am I looking to get out of my Zambezi experience?” They have been tough questions to answer and I struggled greatly to come up with anything during my time in Lusaka and Livingstone. I was struggling to find my deepest desires.
The night before we arrived in Zambezi our group had a small reflection on how we were feeling before our journey. I expressed to my peers that I was feeling extremely nervous for teaching in Zambezi as we were pioneering a new program in health education. I exclaimed that not knowing how our program was going to work frightened me and was producing an anxious feeling deep within. These feelings clouded my mind and blocked me from seeing the true light of Zambia but our discussion that night helped brighten my path. While our projects are vastly important in empowering the Zambian people, they are just as important in acting as vehicles to help establish relationships with the people in the community. No matter how unprepared I felt for our health program, this new vision to develop eye-level accompaniment cleared my mind and pointed me in the direction of my true longings. I want to be the best teacher I can be, but with that I find myself wanting to be the best student as well, all while forming a connection that will never be forgotten. I truly found my aspirations that night. One could even say I found my inner Zambitions.
Although I have only been in Zambezi for a mere two days, I have allowed my newly discovered desires to guide me through our African journey. Every moment I spend with a Zambian I push myself to live in the moment and develop a real, deep relationship, one that will stay with me for the rest of my life. I am excited to teach children as well as home-based caregivers about health and using it as a means to bond with the people. I realize that Zambia has so much to offer and I am eager to see what it has in store for me in the future.
Be bold, be Zambitious,
Alex Dickman, Class of 2014
P.S.
Ma, Pops and Sam, I love you guys so much and am thinking of you guys everyday! None of this would be possible without you guys and I want to thank you all for being so amazing and supportive. I can’t wait to see you guys in month and hopefully I will be able to give you a call from Paris!
P.P.S.
Keep updating me with all of the NBA news! I see that it’s going to be OKC from the west and hopefully my boys down in South Beach can come back and force a game 7. Heat all the way! Ha thanks again, love you guys!
These are truly wonderful ideas in on the topic of blogging.
You have touched some nice things here. Any way keep up wrinting.
Miss you big brother.
Glad to hear all is well and thank you for such inspiring words!
Keep up the good work.
Can’t wait to hear all about your amazing trip in July!
Love you,
Sam
Dear Alex,
Be Zambitious! What a brilliant concept! I understand why this word struck you in such a profound way. In our discussions before you left on this amazing endeavor, it was so clear to me just how important your mission was to you. Your passionate zeal to teach and empower, giving your best effort to help the people of Zambia improve their health situation, while connecting and learning as much as you can from them, is so inspiring. You have done your homework – and while it certainly will feel overwhelming at times – your “zambitiousness” will carry you through. I loved that I could hear your voice as I read your post. It made me feel closer than half way around the world from you. And I am so thankful that you have such a great support group there to help you deal with your challenges. You are a great person, a great teacher, a great listener, and a great friend to the Zambian people.
I love you so very very much. Mom
Alex,
Wonderful post, thanks! Many of us simply forget to live in the moment, as we’re too busy thinking about what’s next, what’s bigger, what’s better. You have a huge opportunity to do things differently – to be Zambitious – and you’ll do a great job.
And I hope that everyday “just gets better!”
Best wishes to all,
Ann
PS – love to my girl.
Alex, you’re lucky to see more of the world and have this experience. Enjoy every moment! And stay away from those Zambisi fish with the big teeth we saw on River Monsters!!
Alex,
I really enjoyed reading your words. It helps make a connection that we have been missing since you left. I keep thinking about this wonderful experience you get to have. We are missing you every day. It seems different than when you are at school. I guess when you are at school we have comfort in knowing your schedule, knowing what you are eating, and knowing where you are sleeping. In Zambia, we don’t know.
I am so proud of what you are doing in Zambia. Have confidence in yourself, you will do great things.
Love,
Dad
PS: The Heat won, series tied 3-3. LeBron killed it.
Sounds like a great experience. Thanks for your inspiring update.
Alex,
I look forward to reading this blog each day and was especially excited to see your writings. All the entries have been inspiring and quite insightful like yours is. Through your words all of us who read this are trying somehow to experience this with your group. It is great that you and Mateo can share this together. Give him a hug for me.
Go OKC
Big Al! Glad you guys made it to Zambezi. Hope your little adventure to the falls and on the safari were amazing. I remember the first minutes in Chobe National Park and seeing all those animals so close to our jeep. I loved having the vacation part of our trip first because it really allowed for some great inter-group bonding before the real immersion into Zambezi. Im sure the experience has done the same for all of you. It (715) 735-5068 amazing how your perceptions of the convent and Zambezi will change and become so familiar over the next few weeks. I loved this post Alex and ill be watching the Finals for you homie haha. Just wanted to send my blessings and love to all of you guys. I believe in you and know you are all prepared to do great things over the next 3+ weeks. Act out of love in all things – for the people of Zambezi and most of all for each other.
Best wishes,
Kurt guenther
Another terrific post, another glimpse into this adventure we get to experience through all of you~thank you! You are all being thought of more than you know! All the best!
PS
XO to my boy
Wonderful post Alex! What an excellent reminder to live in the moment and not to worry so much that we forget the lesson in front of us. Take care and see you when you get back.
Alex, it is so great for those of us back in the states to hear of the adventures of our family members there in Zambia. Keep the stories of the experiences and adventures coming. Post lots of pictures so we can see our loved ones there, and mention group members’ names often.
Please give a big hug to Melissa and Dave Houglum from me – Melissa’s dad!
God’s blessings on all of your work there!
Great blog Alex. What a great experience you are having. Am enjoying all the blogs. Can’t wait to see you, your pictures and hear your stories. We’ll celebrate when you come to Iowa.
Love, Your Iowa Grandma.
Alex,
Thanks for a great look into a Zambian first impression and how it has stuck with you. We are loving the thoughts and adventures of the group and appreciate the updates so we can feel apart of your adventures. Give Erin a big hug and kiss from the fam back home….We can’t wait to see all the pictures and hear the stories. Tell her Pudsie sends his love!
Enjoy the month….it will go by quickly.
Kathleen Murphy…..Erin’s mom
Good day to all of you in Zambia.
It is so great to hear the your strong voices and emotions come through the blog. Alex, your reflections are terrific and really do help to keep us in touch with all of you. I look forward to hearing from each of you.
Life back home is much the same except that you are enriching our day with all of your thoughts and lovely prose.
Continue to engage and enjoy.
Lots of love, Barb (Anne’s mom)
Way to go Alex! To realize that you will learn just as much as you will teach the students was one of the most important things I learned in the health care group. Keep up the good work as I’m sure you are doing, and OKC wins game one! ill keep the updates coming….
Love from the states,
Jonathan
I miss seeing your smiling face and can hardly wait to hear all about your fabulous adventure. Keep up the good work and remember we are thinking of you. Love, Gramma C arole.