Gonzaga-in-Zambezi

Happy Sabbath! This morning, Julia and I woke up at the home of our homestay host, Steve. Steve is a student of both the business and leadership and health classes, so while we knew him from class, we were excited to hear his story first hand. Upon arrival to his home, he introduced us to all of his neighbors and showed us our room (which was his room that he had given up for the night). We enjoyed a delicious dinner of nshima, beef, and tomato soup while we learned about his children, work, time in the army, his work with the Red Cross and the local Catholic Church. After dinner, he turned on his favorite reggae music from his home of Angola. A neighbor child, Hope joined us when he heard the music. When Hope peaked behind the curtain, Steve welcomed him with a classic Zambian “Feel Free,” and then turned to Julia and I and said, “Hope likes to come over when he hears the music. He knows he is welcome here.” Similar to Hope, we knew we were welcome at Steve’s house. We taught them Spoons and how to shuffle and they taught us an Uno-like game that we caught most of. Steve’s welcome was yet another radical display of hospitality that we have experienced during our time in Zambia. 

As I was brushing my teeth this morning outside of Steve’s house, another neighbor greeted me. We exchanged “chimene mwanes” and then “How are yous.” He responded as many Zambians do, “Fine.” 

When I first heard this over a week ago when I arrived in Zambezi, I must admit that I was taken aback. At home, when you say “I’m fine,” it usually means you are feeling any emotion but fine. But here, fine really does mean fine. An acknowledgement of the ordinary and a contentment with the present. 

Contentment has always been a hard practice for me. I am an 8 on the ennegram, and if I want something, there are very few things that can stop me from achieving that. And while my make-it-happen nature is one of my greatest strengths, it can also cause me to arrange my life and schedule in a way that feels like a never ending hamster wheel that I cannot escape. Getting on the plane in Seattle over two weeks ago, I resonated deeply with that image of a hamster wheel. 

Today, we attended Mass for the second time at Our Lady of Fatima Church (except for this time we enjoyed the 3 hour Corpus Christi service), which also means that today, in the Christian tradition, is the Sabbath- the call to both rest and relaxation, just as God did on the 7th day. 

The practice of Sabbath is something that has landed on my New Year’s resolution list for three years now. It is deeply challenging to my do-er nature. At home, I have attempted Sabbath more times than I want to admit. Speeding through the first six days of the week in order to “earn” my rest on the 7th. I quickly become frustrated when the constant noise and inner dialog refused to allow my heart to settle, to enjoy the true rest of the 7th day. 

In many ways the past week, has felt like an extended sabbath. Our pace of life here is hard to explain. While it is much slower than life at home, the days seem to come and go much faster. My metrics for a successful day look much different here – an intentional conversation while I work with a fellow zag to start a brasier, meeting a new shop owner in the market, and at least a couple hours of football and volleyball in the convent courtyard. 

Today is a true sabbath for me. The chore wheel has assigned me the task of writing the blog today. This means that my fellow zags are busy around me pumping water, preparing meals, doing the dishes, writing in the group journal, blessing our food, and today, the party planning committee (led by Katie) is busy making Jackson feel loved and celebrated on his birthday. The community we are participating in is one of deep dependence on one another for some of our most basic needs. Sabbath looks much different here not only because of the slower pace of life we have the opportunity to experience, but also because of the community we have created here in the convent. 

This is in sharp contrast to my life at home. My stubbornness rarely allows me to ask for help, especially not for my most basic needs. The practice of relying on this community is teaching me a lot about who I am and how I want to live in relation to others. In reflecting on my failed attempts of sabbath at home, I realizing that the resistance to dependence often prevents me from rest. My independence is the thing that stands between me and true sabbath. 

Yesterday, I was sharing these movements of my heart with Lucia on a morning walk by the river. Lucia (or our theologian as Dominic lovely dubbed her) wisely noticed this tension as the “Mary” and “Martha” within me. When we returned home, I began to explore this biblical tension because even after our 3 hour Mass this morning, I needed a bit of a refresher. 

“As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.  She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42

In the middle of our conversation, we walked by two women. We greeted them, and introduced ourselves. Melody and Mary where there names. Lucia and I both smiled as we walked away. “Of course her name is Mary.” 

Zambezi is teaching me to live into my Mary, to “sit at the Lord’s feet listening.” Listening to the diverse stories of this community, listening to how this experience is changing the hearts of my fellow ZamZags, and listening to how God is moving in my own heart. 

“Emily, Emily, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed – or indeed only one” – listening. 

One thing both Josh and past ZamZags have encouraged us to do during our time here is to lean into our senses. As I write this, I hear the sounds of children playing outside the convent, Jeff getting an early start on Jackson’s birthday dinner, many roosters and a very quiet living room with many reading Zags. The sounds of Zambezi and the convent have their own music to them, one that is becoming familiar and making our concrete space across the world feel like home.

“Hope likes to come when [it] hears the music. [It] knows [it] is welcome here.”

Zambezi is teaching me that “Fine” days teach us the most, that sabbath cannot exist without community, that my heart is most in need of “Mary” energy, and that a hopeful heart must first feel welcomed. 

Love to all my friends and family back home. I miss you all dearly and am praying for a fruitful sabbath for each of you today. 

Love, 

Emily Even ’24

A little over two weeks ago I woke up, May 15th, wide eyed and jittery. To ground myself, as I said my last goodbye, I recited my favorite Ignatian prayer The Suscipe which reads:

Take Lord and receive all my liberty, 

My memory, my understanding, 

And my entire will — 

All I have and call my own. 

You have given all to me, 

To you, Lord, I will return it. 

Everything is yours; 

Do with it what you will.

Give me only your love your grace. 

That is enough for me.

I always feel quite vulnerable yet awakened after saying or listening to this prayer. 

The best way I can explain the feeling to others is like when I am holding a really difficult yoga pose (my “least” favorite, a twisted chair, for those who are familiar). A twisted chair is always super uncomfortable and simply annoying to me, but then there is a moment of sweet bliss where a teacher’s instruction guides me to make that connection which helps me return back to body/mind awareness. I find myself often repeating in Yoga that “This practice teaches me to trust that this is how it is supposed to be right now” and that “The Mystery of Faith is enough for me” and “Wow, this is such an amazing feeling!” 

I know God is always present to accompany and hold me, but to ignite and embody that feeling of gentle surrender to God, it is vital to find flames or connections in my mind, body, and spirit that bring me to joy and curiosity. Two weeks later as I hit this beautiful half way point, I know for certain that Zambia has allowed me to keep alive God’s flame or “practice” the challenges, questions, vulnerabilities, and awakenings that life has to offers us! 

The person that first ignited a flame for me here has to be the beloved Dominic. The Zambia Dominic introduced to me holds space for curiosity, joy, confusion, music, stillness, sadness, nostalgia, romance and so much life. and let me tell you: Zambians are filled with life! On the first morning in Lusaka, I sat with Dominic in some silence eating our breakfast of scrambled eggs and toast. After some simple chat, the conversation started to flow between the two of us. If you know me, I love a good “God chat,” and if you wanna have the most fruitful “God chat” — have it with an enlightened ex-priest. 

At this breakfast, Dominic shared some of his experience leaving Catholic priesthood. Immediately my tensions eased as I felt comfort from his story. Those close to me know that I, too, have been going through my own wrestling with the Catholic church’s magisterium. Dominic said leaving was a difficult decision but one that he does not regret. 

Dominic articulated his experience with poise and grace. He explained to me how the absence of his priest collar actually led to what he saw as more deeply meaningful conversations with humankind. Dominic’s embodiment of the Word is enough, and his stripping of the title did not act as a barrier but unlocked a freedom. Last year I wrote an essay on the idea that if God intended for all of humankind to live in mutual relationship then hierarchy is the result of disobedience. In that case, Dominic is among the most obedient of them all and there is much to be learned. 

After my conversation with Dominic, I distinctly recalled a phrase that a mentor in high school once told me. She always said the “journey is human life and life needs company.” As Dominic accompanied me and our ZamFam for the first week in Lusaka then Livingstone, this phrase was more than just true, but embodied as we sang, laughed, cried, learned, and loved. My initial conversation with Dominic and many more enriching ones along the way have been catalysts for self exploration. They have made me realize, like Dominic, that I seek to express my relationship with Jesus in some of the challenges of our time, just as Dominic expressed with me at breakfast. 

Dominic’s ability to meet our group at eye-level, in a way that holds wisdom and playfulness, is something that I yearn to embody during my time in Zambia. A couple days ago I met these two girls named Priscilla and Chi Chi at ZamCity. I sat on the bench with Julia, Brynn, and two best friends in Grade 9, Chi Chi, and Priscilla. After some chatting, Chi Chi began to plait Brynn’s hair. Ever since I started dance and theater around the age of 8, I have always loved the act of someone doing my hair. Don’t get me wrong I love a good braid or updo, but my skin is quite sensitive so it is not really about the actual “style.” To me, it has also been the giving and receiving of braiding and get braided. I see it as a communal, vulnerable, and sacred space, a place that holds space for playfulness but also deep connection. As I reflect back, I realize that my younger self would ask another girl to do my hair as a way of simply connecting. I thought about this when I watched Chi Chi braid Brynn’s hair. Afterwards, I approached Chi Chi and Priscilla to see if they could braid my hair at some point. They happily agreed and we planned to have them come to the convent the next day. 

As the girls arrived, I realized our timing was cutting it close as I had a plan to go to the market and the girls had to be home at 16 hours sharp. After sharing some snacks and taking some polaroid photos together, we settled on a plan for the two girls to come with Emily, Charlie, and me down to the market to see the seamstress, Jesse. As we made our way to the market we started shopping for chitenge. The girls led us through the market and we had the opportunity to stop at some local places that only they know best, like Priscilla’s aunt’s clothing store. As I walked down the small narrow roads filled with shops and people, two men at a store said something to us in Lunda or Luvale that alone, I would maybe brush off, put on a smile, in an attempt to not be singled out (which is impossible here as a new face). As I walked ahead I noticed Chi Chi and Priscilla had stopped to talk to some guys that said something to our group. With their bright eyes and big smiles looking down at us, Chi Chi shouted down the path to us, “They want to know how you are doing!” I think she knew that the three of us were a bit timid to walk down the streets and found ways to make us feel comfortable. 

The next day, the two girls came over to the convent to braid my and Jackson’s hair. I went first and prepared myself to feel that intense tug. Because of how long my hair is, I had all four of their hands working to ensure a tight and intricate braid. We listened to music and chatted about our lives. I learned about both of their families, Chi Chi’s mother, who owns a hair salon in the market next to one of the butcheries as well as Priscilla’s mother who sells vegetables at the market. I have learned what they like to do in their free time, both of the girls love netball and listening to music. And I have also learned what they want to be when they grow up, Chi Chi a police officer and Priscilla a nurse. Chi Chi and I also talked about language and how at home, because of the death of their father in 2019, they speak his language, Lunda, instead of her mother’s language, Bemba. Priscilla and Chi Chi have become such wonderful company on this journey in Zambia and were some of the first people I had the chance to connect with closer to eye level. I also just absolutely adored the moment my music came on and both of the girls and I all silently hummed and swayed in unison. 

I am continuing to explore the mystery of grace and love like The Suscipe mentions as I am here in Zambia. Like Dominic helps me remember “the journey is human life and life needs company.” I feel so deeply here that there is no beloved without a lover and no lover without a beloved — no one can exist without the other. 

To Mom, Dad, and George, Alex and all of my amazing friends, Soph and Gi and my 1018 Girls (love you x1000) I miss all of you more than you know and can not wait to share this experience with you all when we reunite. 

Lucia Doty, Class of 2025

Prior to coming to Zambezi, I think that we all had a variety of expectations. Although we were encouraged to not hold onto these expectations, I’m sure that each one of us came here with at least one or two. I too came to Zambezi with expectations in mind as a student in the health section. For example, when thinking of a traditional Zambezi hospital I was under the assumption that it would be structured similar to an American clinic. With this in mind, I had further made the assumption that the hospital would be under resourced and too small for the amount of patients that it would receive. My first week here in Zambezi has both challenged my expectations, and in some ways has confirmed them. In this post, I hope to illustrate this understanding to loved ones back home and to personally unpack my experiences. 

This morning marked day four of daily trips to the hospital for myself, as I took yesterday off to conduct an interview. Each day in the Zambezi Hospital presents new and astounding learning experiences for myself and the rest of the health group. On day one, we followed Dr. Impande around the hospital as he did rounds in each ward. This first encounter with the patients of the Zambezi Hospital was somewhat overwhelming, while also exciting. We had no idea who these people were, yet their medical information was handed to us. Furthermore, the majority of the patients were excited to see us there, and were happy to see our smiles and have small conversations with us. The following day, we spent more time in individual wards, as we were hoping to build relationships with some of the staff. In my case, I was with Brynn in the pediatrics ward. The nurses were very welcoming and gave us some ideas of what to discuss in our classes. On our second day, we also had an introduction as to how things worked in the hospital. While having a conversation with the nurses, an emergency came up, as a young girl was hit by a motorcycle on the way to school. The nurses were prepared within seconds, and moved as fast as possible. Within ten minutes, a plan was set to care for the girl, and the children’s ward returned to its calm afternoon. The following day consisted of a similar experience as the first, as we continued to follow Dr. Impande and learn more about the inner workings of the hospital. These first four days gave me a surface level understanding of the set-up for the hospital. Today, in the experiences that I had, I dove deeper in this understanding. 

Our visit to the Zambezi Hospital started as normal, with the six of us walking to Dr. Impende’s office to great him, and then moving on to different wards within the hospital. Katie, Ana, and I were invited to watch a procedure in the female ward, while Brynn and Jackson went to PT, and Ani headed to maternity, where she met an amazing teacher and nurse. During the procedure, I think that the three of us felt privileged to be there, but also a deep disdain for bedside manners. As someone who is entering the medical field, I felt that the experience was the exact opposite of what I want to bring to the table when caring for patients. In this moment, I began to feel the complexities of Zambezi. My initial expectations of healthcare in the developing world were coming back to the forefront of my brain. I further felt the need to pushback against a system that allows for such oppressive and demeaning attitudes to be present in such a vulnerable place. With the emotions that I was feeling, I was struggling to accept that the situation was normal. We then left the female ward, and as I turned to share my feelings with Katie and Ana, we were immediately welcomed into the operating room to watch a wound redress. I would say the environment in the operating room was the exact opposite of our prior experience. In this space, the patient was excited to see us and talk to us before he was put under. The doctor and assistants were kind, caring, and respectful of the patient’s circumstance. In this space, there was mutuality between the patient, staff, and ourselves. We were all experiencing this together, and no one was left to the side. It was exactly what I strive to be in the future. 

After leaving the hospital and discussing my emotions with Katie, Ana, and Jeff, I felt that I was just running in circles. On one hand, I was completely condemning the hospital for its lack of respect and care towards the women. On the other hand, I was applauding the staff for the meaningful and superb care of an elderly man. Today has been my first real introduction to the complexities of healthcare in Zambia, and the first time I have been met with such a challenge. As I continued to mull this over, I tried to see from each perspective. The doctor who I felt was cold and cruel, was probably emotionally numb to the situation and very efficient. Then, the doctor who I felt was sweet and understanding, was also efficient, but had a more emotionally effective attitude about his work. While I continued to reflect, I could not help but to think of my expectations and how they were being exposed. Yes, the healthcare system in Zambia is understaffed and under resourced. Yes, not all of the patients are able to be properly cared for due to these circumstances. However, despite this the doctors and staff here are adaptive and multi-specialized. They have the means and ways to care for each person who walks through the door. The two doctors work exceptionally hard to provide for every member of their community, and should be an inspiration to each and every one of us. 

My experiences today taught me the dangers of my expectations. Now, I am not condemning myself for coming to Zambia with standards for how people ought to be treated in a medical facility. However, I am learning to accept that holding these expectations with me does not allow for personal growth. I came to Zambia to get a better understanding of healthcare around the world. By carrying my expectations with me, I have not allowed myself to be fully immersed into a culture that has faults, but is also so welcoming and beautiful. Last night in reflection, we read an article titled, “We See from Where We Stand”. In recollection of this article, I understand that by looking at Zambia through my American viewpoint, I am not integrating myself into the culture. My substandard viewpoint has allowed me to find everything wrong with the healthcare system, and has robbed me of experiencing the culture as an insider. Thus, as I continue on my adventure in Zambia, I hope to leave my expectations behind, and move forward with appreciation for everything this experience has to offer. 

Dear family, I love to all so much and cannot wait to give you all the gifts I got you! I miss you all and am looking forward to future lake days! Logan please do not forget to download “Bridgerton” for me, so I can watch on the plane. 

With love to all families, 

Julia Stanhope, Class of 2027

In the US, I think there are preconceived notions of what life is like in Africa, with little understanding of each country and the vast complexities that make up different communities. I have heard people talk about unsafe drinking water, lack of technology, resources, diseases, etc. in reference to the entire continent. Speaking about Zambia specifically, yes there are problems here, as is in any complex society throughout history. However, there are also incredible people and cultures that bring light to the world that I think might resonate with you all back home in surprising ways. From my time spent in Zambia the past two weeks, I want to shed light on some of what life may look like here and how very real shared human experiences are reflected in the faces I have met. 

My friend Dominic

Dominic has been with the Gonzaga-in-Zambezi program since near the beginning and has helped over 250 students find a home away from home in Zambia. He is like family to Josh, and within only a week of knowing him has become a close friend of mine as well. When you look in Dominic’s eyes and cheeky smile, you see a gentle, kind, and intelligent man. When you listen to his stories, thoughts, and feelings, you discover a community leader, friend of many, and honorable soul. Dominic has dedicated his life to the service of others and his entire being lights up when he’s asked about his many projects. Dominic’s humor is unmatched and he always has a mischievous look in his eyes. Throughout this experience, he has told me, “the beauty lies ahead.” I think of Dominic, my first friend in Zambia, and this saying when I feel discomfort and need to visualize a familiar face rooted in the place I am currently calling a home.

Mama Katendi 

Similar to Dominic, Mama Katendi has been with the program since Josh started coming here in 2007. To everyone reading, the thing you should know about Mama Katendi is that she is a force to be reckoned with and a clear example of a powerful woman. Her cooking is delicious and we all look forward to days we get to be her assistant in the kitchen. On her day off last Sunday, she still showed up to help us with some water difficulties. Mama Katendi was the first person to show me around Zambezi. People gravitate towards her in the market and she walks through life with incredible confidence and grace. Mama Katendi has seven children whom she raised, yet still shows up for anyone else who might need her. She takes time and offers her knowledge about what it means to be a girl and woman in Zambia: She’s an exemplary role model to younger women. 

Debby and Eucharia

Debby and Eucharia’s names alone are woven into the Zambezi community. Debby runs Zam City, a soccer club for youth, and Eucharia is a nurse at the main hospital in town. When I first met Debby and Eucharia, the first thing I noticed was the outstanding love and respect between the couple. Their unconditional love and appreciation is apparent in their young children who I had the pleasure of meeting, as they welcomed me with open arms and encouraged me to join them in their sports, drawing, and chess games. Eucharia takes time each day to show us around the hospital and ensure we are learning to be well rounded healthcare providers in the future. In Zambezi, the main hospital and 38 clinics together serve around 110,000 people. Please let this sink in. There are two doctors to serve all of these locations and patients. This means that nurses here are beyond proficient in procedures and protocols that nurses in the US would struggle to grasp. The hospital in Zambezi along with the 38 clinics are public hospitals with little funding and resources. However, there is an unspoken and felt consensus apparent in the hospital staff that healthcare is a human right, not a privilege only available to those who can afford it or have insurance. Anyone in the region is welcomed at the hospital, regardless of class, status, wealth, ability, gender, or religious denomination. Eucharia is an example of the nurse I strive to be, she is beyond intelligent, amazing at problem solving, caring, empathetic, and resilient to a healthcare system that lacks resources and faces difficult emotional challenges daily. 

Alfred

Alfred is a man I met on my morning walk the other day. In Zambezi, my skin color makes me a spectacle. It is difficult to go anywhere without people staring with curiosity or intrigue as there are really no other white people aside from other Zags. Alfred, was the first person I met to make me feel like a neighbor rather than a visitor. I met him walking behind the convent and he asked me where I was going. After exchanging names, we began walking together and we discussed his family, the weather, and the agenda for the day. We laughed together as we walked, as if we had not just met moments before. As I turned to leave, he gave me a side hug without skipping a beat and pointed to his office saying to me that if I needed anything he was right near by. Then he proceeded to walk away without turning around, as if he were used to seeing me every day, and knowing I would be there tomorrow. His kindness and grounding presence made me feel a sense of belonging. 

The Youth

Children are filled with laughter, curiosity, questions, and complaints. A fact I am learning is not limited to one country and in fact spans the globe. The children I have met here have greeted me with little waves and giggles. They are filled with life and run through the streets skipping, running, and dancing with joy. They fight amongst one another, tease, and make fun as children do. They are the first to bring outsiders into their space, mainly out of curiosity, and are always wanting a supportive hug or high five from an older kid. The teens in Zambezi are impressive beyond words. At Zambezi boarding, a secondary school here, teens undergo rigorous academic courses and only a select handful move on to big universities. They are familiar with academic competition and like us are striving to complete higher levels of education. I have asked countless teens here, “what do you want to be when you grow up?” The answers I have received include doctors, nurses, journalists, artists, athletes, writers, lawyers, and more. The youth I have met here will usher in a bright future and their hopes, dreams, and realities parallel those that I have seen back home. 

The Patients

All of you reading this might have some mental images of the Zambezi District Hospital. I promise that your perception is wrong, as you would be surprised in both good and bad ways. Today I saw a patient, only five years older than myself who decided to have an incredibly invasive and vulnerable procedure. This young woman was scared and in pain. During the consultation, I noticed her body language being tense and she seemed choked up. Her friends were with her, but they didn’t want to be present for the procedure and it was clear to me that she felt she would be undergoing the experience somewhat alone. Before the doctor started, I went over, introduced myself and asked if she would want to hold my hand, thinking to myself that I would want another woman to take my hand and help carry me through the experience if I were in her position. In that moment, I was not a Gonzaga student, or a future nurse. She was not a patient, and we were not strangers. Instead, we were two young women, one supporting the other through a devastating reality that is all too familiar to other women world wide. There was an unspoken understanding and familiarity with the situation at hand and the emotional care required to persevere through the pain and discomfort. As we sat there, she told me she was scared and she began to cry, the procedure (without anesthesia) hurt beyond what my words can convey and her physical and emotional pain was evident. After it was over, I went to check on her and she said she was doing better. The relief in her eyes is something I will never forget. She will return back to her life, having been allowed autonomy over her body and choices, but bearing today’s wound as a scar.  I admire her poise, strength, and willingness to ask for and accept support from a complete stranger. To me, she is an epitome of what it means to be brave in more ways than one.

My goal for sharing these people, stories, and experiences with all of you is so that you might resonate on a personal level with Zambians and the incredible humans I have met here. Maybe you see yourself, a family member, a friend, neighbor, leader, provider, vulnerable person, or caretaker within your community in the short descriptions I have shared. The things we experience as people, while living different lives and surviving and thriving in a variety of situations, often reveal similarities. I am learning how to see someone different from myself at eye level and find the similarities we all share. 

I cannot wait to see my people again in two weeks. I miss all of you more than I ever have and I thank you for encouraging me to partake in this once in a life time experience. I look forward to sharing more faces of Zambia with you and bringing you as close to my experiences as possible through understanding the raw human emotions and character traits evident in all of us. 

Happy 80th Birthday Noni! I wish I were there to celebrate with you but I am sending my love! Congratulations on graduating high school Kira! I am beyond proud of you and cannot wait for our summer adventures together! Love to all my family back home! Mom and Dad, please give the Georgie and Roo a hug for me, and Davis please give Murph and Winnie love from me! 

Ani Posner, Class of 2026

Greetings from the convent common room. About half our team are huddled around in small clutches, debriefing their days and planning for tomorrow. The sun will set in about an hour, and then we’ll enjoy a delicious meal prepared by the Mamas, Katendi and Christine, and today’s assistant, Ellie. Katendi just appeared with a tray of her delicious popcorn, an afternoon snack we didn’t expect but is perfectly indicative of the ways Katendi has cared for Zags over the last seventeen years.

I’m munching on this popcorn while writing to you from nine hours in the future. But I wasn’t supposed to be here. This was my year off from Zambia, after leading last year’s trip and slated for the next two years.

A week ago today, I was sitting in the office of Gonzaga’s Center for Global Engagement (CGE) making nametags for a luncheon to be held in honor of a visit to campus by Rt. Rev. Charles Kasonde, the Bishop of the Diocese of Solwezi. I had been part of a group that morning who welcomed at the Spokane airport, and I was taking care of a few tasks related to his visit. The luncheon I’d planned alongside the CGE team would include several administrators and would feature comments from a former Zag who came to Zambezi in 2022. Through the steadfast work Josh Armstrong had done, Gonzaga was hosting two priests from the Diocese of Solwezi—Fr. Max Mwelwa and Fr. Roy Sangonga—to pursue a Master’s degree in teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. The Bishop wanted to see how his priests were fairing and to learn more about Gonzaga.

Our hope was to celebrate the Bishop’s visit and affirm the long and mutually beneficial relationship this program has had with the Diocese. Relationships matter, after all. And, for relationships, sometimes nameplates matter.

The photo above is of the Bishop, Fr. Roy on the left, Fr. Max on the right, and Blaine Atkins (Zambezi ’22). But I wasn’t there for it. While folding those nameplates, our Director of Study Abroad, Dr. Moira Rogers, stepped out of her office and said to me, “Oh, Jeff, you are here. Would you like to go to Zambia?”

I had just heard that our proposal for next year’s trip was approved, so I thought she was making a subtle joke about that, and I must have muttered something like, “Ha! Well I am already planning to go next year.”

“I just got a call from Josh, and Chris is hurt.” She didn’t have much information but was already working through a plan to care for our colleague and the students she was serving and teaching here. “We’ll need to figure something out?”

I called my wife at work and explained the situation, asking how big a disruption it would cause for me to join this crew if Chris wasn’t able to continue. Within an hour, it was confirmed that Chris would need to be stabilized and ultimately transported to a hospital in South Africa. I had a ticket on the next day’s flight to Lusaka. And, my colleagues would continue the work of welcoming Bishop Kasonde to Spokane.

Last year, I was sitting in the convent when a student walked in and informed that a family member had experienced a life-threatening accident and that she had to return home as quickly as possible.

As those of you reading at home have probably gleaned, and those of you who’ve been here know, nothing about getting to or from Zambezi is normally “quick.” We are 500 kilometers from the nearest airport: a ten-hour bus ride. That’s just to the nearest airport, which was another 600 kilometers from Lusaka, which itself is 24 hours of flight time, plus additional layovers, from Spokane.

I immediately initiated our emergency protocols and Katuska Kohut, the Associate Director of Study Abroad, helped organize flights for our student from Lusaka for two days later.

Now we had to get her to Lusaka. For a regular Zambian, that would 22 hours on a bus, with a layover sleeping in the Solwezi bus station. While I don’t for a second believe any of us deserves to be treated better than the Zambians who welcome us with such radical hospitality, I knew my student couldn’t expect to make that type of journey alone.

I walked over to Fr. David Phiri, the parish priest here at Our Lady of Fatima. We called Fr. Yona Chipango, the Pastoral Coordinator for the Diocese and the former parish priest here in Zambezi. Together, we hatched a plan. A seminarian here would accompany our student on the bus to Solwezi. She would be put up in the Diocese guest house. The following morning, Fr. Yona would take her to the Solwezi airport, where she could arrange a flight to Lusaka in time to depart for Qatar and then Seattle.

The care extended to our student in her time of grief and need struck me. We talk about accompaniment in this program as though it’s a posture we adopt in relation to the Zambians we meet. In that moment last year, it was clear that these men in the diocese were practicing accompaniment in their own way.

Two weeks ago, as I write this, your Zags left Seattle. When they arrived in Lusaka , they were welcomed by Dominic Mizhi Sandu. Dominic was the parish priest in Zambezi in the years surrounding 2010, and has annually welcomed our team since his relocation to Lusaka. He even received sponsorship to come to Gonzaga for three weeks in 2009 to teach and was featured in our Leadership Fishbowl series. As you’ll have seen from students’ posts, Dominic is full of wisdom, wit, and care for our students. He’s a full partner in the educational mission of our program, and this year was instrumental in supporting the team while Dr. Sloan navigated the Zambian healthcare system in Livingstone.

Six years ago, I brought our group of Zags to Zambezi, where we were greeted by a new parish priest, Fr. Yona Chipango. That first weekend in Zambezi, the youth group at Our Lady of Fatima hosted a dance party for us, and I came to know Fr. Yona as a serious-minded, fun-loving, and deeply caring man who was visionary in transforming the parish in service to its parishioners. He’s a slight man with an explosive laugh, the kind that toes the line between being mildly embarrassing and highly contagious. By the Fall of 2019, Josh had worked with The Ministry Institute, an affiliate organization of the Spokane Diocese and Gonzaga, and our graduate admissions team to bring Fr. Chipango to Spokane to pursue a Master’s degree. Though he was forced to complete that degree back here in Zambia after the Covid pandemic forced us to go remote, Fr. Yona had almost a year to become a Zag.

Seven years ago, Fr. David Phiri had been hosted by The Ministry Institute. He was taking a sabbatical year between parish postings here in North-Western Zambia. He connected with Josh and got to know the Zags who were traveling here at the time. Two years after returning from sabbatical, Fr. Phiri was posted to Zambezi, replacing Fr. Chipango and ensuring that the next Zags who arrive would be welcomed by someone who knew what their Jesuit education was all about, who loved the Kennel as much as they did, and who understood the educational aspirations of our program.

Seventeen years ago, Josh and a small group of colleagues brought the first Gonzaga-in Zambezi team to this convent. As the cliché goes, they were building the plane as they flew, creating relationships, exploring potential learning opportunities for students, and developing project partnerships in based on community members’ sense of their own needs. Josh realized that his team would need support, and he wanted to contribute to the local economy while also finding people who could work well with our students and teach them about the community. He asked the priest at the time, Fr. Javier, if there was anyone in the parish who could help us cook. Fr. Javier suggested a young mother, Katendi Sengevu. Fr. Javier’s thoughtful suggestion has resulted in 17 years of deep, reciprocal accompaniment. Over 250 Zags have spent days as “Mama’s assistant,” learning about life in Zambia, the challenges and joys of being a mother in this country, and a little about cooking. In turn, Mama Katendi has taken our classes, learned to read and write English, developed multiple entrepreneurial ventures, and learned a few new American dishes. All while raising seven children by herself.

Jeff, Fr. Yona Chipango, and Josh upon Jeff’s arrival to Zambezi.

Four mornings ago, after 54 hours in transit, I arrived at the Solwezi airport. The same airport to which Fr. Yona had taken our student last year. We hopped in his car and made a brief stop at his office in St. Kizito parish, where Fr. Max was parish priest before coming to Spokane, then set off for Zambezi in his Toyota Hilux. Along the way we passed by the turnoff to Kasempa, where Fr. Roy led the parish before coming to Spokane. It struck me that while I was passing by their pastoral homes, Frs. Max and Roy would in just a few hours be saying goodbye to their Bishop as he boarded a plane from Spokane to return to Solwezi.

We talk with our students about the many ways accompaniment might manifest. As the Nigerian writer Chris Abani says, world changing accompaniment rarely takes the form of “grand messianic gestures, but in the simple accumulation of gentle, soft, almost invisible acts of compassion, everyday acts of compassion.” A simple walk through the market with a new friend. A conversation while plaiting hair in the market. A rugged game of football with the youth at ZamCity. A Zambian nurse asking about the American healthcare system.

Sometimes, it’s seventeen years in the making, brings together multiple individuals representing two larger organizations, and results in a priest dropping everything to make sure a Zag gets where they need to be.

Kisu mwani,

Jeff Dodd
Associate Professor
English Department

I’m starting to enjoy the mornings. And for those who know me at home, know what a bold, and honestly radical statement that really is (and though this may just be a Zambezi thing) there is something about getting up, picking one of my three outfits, getting to hear those making breakfast, and journaling or reading in the morning. It’s peaceful and relaxing but nonetheless so inviting, as we all sit together to eat before we start our day. Whereas, at home my schedule is SO different. I am sleeping or snoozing through my alarm, consistently running three minutes late and maybe if I’m lucky, grabbing a granola bar. But right here, there is something that packs the morning with stillness yet laughter, comfort yet commotion as my Zam Fam plays music and gets ready for the day together that in turn makes me more excited to take on the day and just optimistic for my afternoon in both the hospital and classes. 

That’s how this morning began for me. Waking up before my alarm, putting on the outfit of the day (and stealing one of Katies headbands), while watching the breakfast team consisting of Ana, Katie and Ani making scrambled eggs and “avocado toast” and getting to journal. We sat around the table scarfing down our food, while Julia gave our blessing and we talked of the day coming. For me, it was hospital at ten hours and class at fourteen hours. The health group, excluding Jackson since he was Mama Katendi’s assistant (aka Mama’s boy), were off to walk to the hospital, unsure of what were were going to be doing on our first official day of shadowing yet excited to see what we would learn. 

We decided to split up; Julia and I went to the peds ward, Katie went to the maternity ward and Ana and Ani went to the mens ward. Me and Julia got to meet Jenn, a nurse, and Roma, a nursing student. We talked about two of the main reasons children are admitted, including Malaria and Sickle Cell Anemia, learning of the drugs administered based on the severity of Malaria cases and all about how it cases anemia. Roma, the student that was shadowing Jenn, just as we were, explained the steps of Sickle Cell to us. The beauty in both of us students going through something as simple as relearning Sickle Cell was really communal moment for the both of us. It showed how Roma was learning as he taught us (because if there’s one thing being a STEM major has taught me, its that teaching others is the best way to study) and us getting to learn from him. 

However, there are complexities within visiting a new hospital that is also in a rural area. Seeing the differences between the United States healthcare system comparatively to the Zambezi Hospital. For instance, Zambians have fewer areas for patients and the limitations with access to doctors and resources, being there are only two doctors serving the Zambian district. Yet, I am in this position to be humbled to learn from these nurses, doctors and fellow students of their knowledge of how their healthcare system works. Because for many, they do more than what our US jobs description employs. The nurses are closer to doctors and doctors are multi-specified through every ward. This process of accompaniment is still one I am learning, but I felt it more today than I have throughout our trip. As I left for the day, I felt that relationship begin as Jenn said to me, that health is supposed to be shared, that if we don’t teach each other than when one leaves the other is left without the knowledge. She was excited to see us again during the week to talk about their healthcare system, but also ours back at home too, and more about my story and my family. Her words stuck with me, as they were exactly what I was looking for, accompaniment.

We came back from the hospital for our language lesson with everyone, taught by Mama Josephine, and went through many greetings, how to say thank you and goodbye. This lesson was filled with not only learning, but lots and lots of singing… thank you Mama for the song that is now stuck in everyones head and now we all have the privilege of listening to each others tone-deaf voices. Classes followed shortly after with Charlie and Sara teaching afternoon computer lessons and me, Ana, Julia and Katie heading to the church to talk about Diabetes and Nutrition. I found myself, again, making more relationships with girls there by finding common ground, similar to the one I found with Roma, while talking of insulin and glucagon and finding a newfound trust between us. Now, I have familiar faces in the class that I am looking forward to seeing tomorrow.

Finishing the night, some of us went with Josh to watch a beautiful sunset on the Zambezi River. And came home to dinner, cooked by our very own Mama’s Boy. This included up some chipotle chicken, guacamole, beans and homemade tortillas… or better yet, crepes. This set the bar pretty high for future dinners, well done Jackson and Mama Katendi. Now writing this blog, it’s ten and I going to be heading to bed. But reflecting today, I continue to look forward to my newfound love for a morning routine and getting to see the people I made relationships with today.

Just want to say hi to my awesome family! Love you and missing you all always <3 Avery and Kinsley please eat some of Nan’s cookies for me.

Lots of love,

Brynn Neal ’25

First day of classes, decapitating a chicken, meeting new friends, playing soccer with Zambia Children, and Brynn got her hair pleated-What a busy day! The day started off with an enthusiastic attitude. The night before everyone talked about how we are looking forward to begin classes. Breakfast was at 8 o’clock cooked by the dream team of Ellie Powers, Charlie Herman, and Josh Armstrong himself.  They prepared something I had never heard of before – toad in a hole. (It’s just a fried egg in toast.). From there the dish crew went fast to work because the first class began at 9 am. In the meantime mama Katendi was getting fast to work for our lunch, to do this she slaughtered a chicken. I think Katy will be forever scarred.

After this the groups split up. The health group planned to get a thorough tour of the health clinic in Zambezi, the computer class began at 9 am, and the business class prepared for there first class at 10 am. Me and Ellie split up because the education group would meet the staff of Zambezi boarding a little bit later. Ellie went to the hospital and I helped Lucia and Emily with their business leadership class. They were a little nervous but they pulled through and from my outsiders perspective it was a great success. They had a larger than expected attendance of 14 students and everyone was thoroughly engaged. In the lesson they used a classic CLP exercise – the marshmallow challenge. This challenge splits people into groups with only spaghetti straws, marshmallow, and string to build the tallest free standing tower possible. While the groups who attended may have stretched the meaning of “free-standing”, the lesson demonstrated the team building values Lucia and Emily were aiming to teach. 

Upon return from the lesson Emily, Lucia, and I found Charlie. His lesson was a good success. We promptly began a read along of the health reading we were assigned. We laughed at the goofy names in the article and realized a group of non-health students was not the target audience for this reading. After this was lunch where we ate delicious Thai Chicken from mama Katendi. Rest in peace chicken. We talked about our favorite and worst professors at Gonzaga. At lunch we also met with Josh’s second mom – Mama Josephine. She along with Mama Katendi and Mama Kristine taught us our first Zambian song. It was truly delightful. 

From there the second round of classes for the day began. At this point Jeff Doud took me and Ellie to Zambezi Boarding to meet the staff we will be working with. We met a number of great people here such as Daniel Phiri, Andrew Ng’ombe, and Mercy Ng’ombe. We also got a better idea of how we will be working with Zambezi boarding. We will be going in four days a week after school to work with the after school programs like debate, drama, and literacy. We will also go into class a couple of times a week to attend regular classes in the morning. After Zambezi Boarding Jeff drove Ellie and I back to our home in the convent. 

I made a quick turnaround from here to head to ZamCity FC with most of the group. Here Jackson, Ana, Katy, Ani, Charlie, and I went to war- I mean played soccer with kids from around Zambezi. The game was constantly back and forth between the two teams. We played with a goal that was the size of the soccer ball itself. This made the game intense because puppy guarding the goal was quite easy (I’m looking at you Jackson). Even though Ana says I was a “Brick wall” on defense, I think it is safe to say soccer is not my sport. While all of this was going on Brynn, Julia, and Josh talked with Eukarya. Brynn even got her hair pleated by one of the kids from ZamCity FC. I think we all agree – she ate that. 

After ZamCity we returned to the convent for another delicious dinner from Mama Katendi and Mama Kristine. At the end of the day the dinner with our class was a very nice way to wind down. We ate a hearty meal of sausage and potato. I personally sat right next to Mama Kristine and she told me this was her favorite meal to cook. At the end of the day I can say today was one of my favorite days in Zambia yet. 

I wanted to acknowledge a couple things before I end today’s blog. Firstly today Chris had her surgery. We want you to know that we are praying for you. Secondly, special thanks to CLP class of 2027 for writing Charlie, Jackson, and I letters. They cheered me up greatly, and I can’t wait to see you all again next semester. To any other friends reading this blog, thank you for following along and I hope to see you soon. To end this blog, just wanted to say I miss you mom and Dad. “I am missing you already”.

Will Kelly, Class of 2026

The morning started like the way I believe the rest of our days in Zambezi will, to the sound of very abrasive chickens well before any of our alarms would have actually gone off. As the title states, we all put on our Sunday best as we headed into our first Zambezi mass. We were meet with a warm welcome and a beautiful procession led by Father David. It reminded me much of masses at home, yet the singing was more upbeat and echoed off the walls of the church. The open doors and windows allowed for a light breeze and natural sunlight that bounced off the cracked wooden beams. It was a great start to a new weekly tradition and gave us some roots within the community. It fact, on our way out we got invited to play some soccer and basketball by some of the kids later in the day. Here is a photo of all of us in our Sunday best, though I’m not in it, please trust I looked snazzy as heck. 

After a long service, you can all bet we were hungry and some may even say hangry. Our wonderful breakfast crew, consisting of Brynn, Emily, and Jackson got started right away while Charlie and I worked on some much needed, in fact, necessary coffee. Heating up the brasier, due to lack of electricity, they cheffed up some jungle oats with bananas and LOTS of cinnamon. And if you know me, you know this was not my cup of tea. Though if I did like banana, I’m sure this would have been the best breakfast ever. While everyone enjoyed their breakfast, we talked about the activities of the day, which included a market run, some class prep, dinner plans and now some mandatory soccer. 

Brynn, Julia, Sara and I stayed at the convent to do some class prep for the following week and assembled some Days for Girls period kits. These contained underwear and reusable pads that we will soon be handing out to some of the girls in the community. While we were doing this, the rest of the crew made their way out to the market. There, they handed out more fliers to promote our health, computer and business/leadership classes that will start tomorrow! They also stocked up on some goodies and sweet treats for the convent. 

Soon it was time for our long awaited match up with the local children of Zambezi. When Julia, Brynn and I got there we found that this was not your average US soccer field. Instead, it was our very own version of beach soccer. With the grass being piles of soft sand and the goals being three wooden posts. As a goalie, I knew this would make my job ten times harder. I found that the rules and positions worked a little bit differently, as there were none. The kids were going one way one moment and another the next without rhyme or reason, but it didn’t seem to matter. All that the kids really seemed to care about was getting to laugh and play with peers and the cool new older kids from out of town. Julia and I played with them while Brynn lead some kids in their very own volleyball lesson. We finally were joined by Jackson, Ana, Will, Ellie and Ani which completely raised the stakes. Except, not actually though, because once we started I found that I was playing just as the little kids were, without rhyme or reason and not a care in the world. 

Many of us were exhausted after two long hours of play while others  (Jackson and Ani) powered on and went with Emily, Lucia and Charlie for the other promise, a game of pick up basketball at Zambezi Boarding School, where Will and Ellie will be getting to teach! Though I was not there, I heard it got quite intense and let’s just say some intramural basketball shirts will be won next fall season. For those that retreated home, including me, we got to do some laundry and enjoy some showers while the sun was still out, because if you take one after the sunsets, good luck telling your shampoo from your conditioner. 

Our new friend and trip leader, Jeff Dodd, a Zambian regular, as he has been with this program many times, and a Gonzaga English/Honors professor, joined our Zam Fam of 2024. He will be helping Josh and all of us with the rest of our time here in Zambia. We are all really excited to get to know him and have him with us. After his long three day journey from the US to Zambezi similar to the one all of us made, he arrived just in time for dinner. Since it’s Mama Katendi’s day off basically everyone volunteered to step up and help whip up some dinner. We had a crazy array of chefs including: Head girl (Emily), Sous chef (Julia), Sausage chef (Ana), Flame boy/Mamas Boy (Charlie), Vinaigrette Man (Jeff), and Spice Girl (Lucia).  While we enjoyed our lovely food, everyone loved participating, or better yet, was forced into playing (by an unknown person who will remain unnamed) our favorite new dinner time tradition, rose, bud and thorn. 

Sending lots of love to Chris. We all miss you so much more than you could even know and we are praying and thinking about you everyday. Hoping surgery goes well tomorrow!

I am so excited for what tomorrow brings for everyone with the start of classes and especially happy for the health students as we are being introduced to the hospital and its staff tomorrow as well (if your wondering what my bud was). Missing all of your smiling faces so much and sending love to my fam and friends… you better comment or I’m throwing all your gifts away. This is a threat. 

And on that note, ots of love, 

Katie Harris (KT) ’25

P.S. I’m kidding, I love you guys and I already spent money on your gifts

Chimene Mwane friends and family, 

We are officially settled here in Zambezi! We all had some much needed sleep and woke up ready to take on the day. While our wonderful breakfast chefs, Will, Lucia, & Sarah were cooking breakfast, everyone relaxed on the couches, prepared some coffee, and collected clothes for laundry day. While waiting, me, Brynn, Katie, & Julia were hustled up under Katie’s “princess” bed and chatted about the most random things with lots of laughter. It was like a slumber party but in the morning! We later gathered for some delicious French toast with bananas, peanut butter, and the most AMAZING honey that Josh got from Father David Phiri. 

After cleaning up breakfast, Father David took the afternoon flight group on a tour of Zambezi, while the morning crew stayed back at the convent unpacking our supplies and relaxing a little bit, while Ani made some sick flyers for our classes starting Monday. We toured the town in Father David’s pickup truck, waving hi to everyone we saw. Our first stop was a tour of the Zambezi hospital where we visited the Men’s, Women’s, and Children’s wards. We met some of the doctors and patients there, learning about them and how their conditions are treated at the clinic.  

Our second stop was at a local store in town where we can buy soda drinks and snacks at. Driving through town, the group waved to everyone in sight, saying mwane (a respectful greeting) and Zambians yelling mwane and welcome with joy. Everyone is so welcoming and kind to us, it truly feels like a community here, reminding me of the Zag community back home. 

Our third stop was the Zambezi River, where my breath was taken away at the blue water moving its way down the river, canoes pulled up on the shores, the green trees on the horizon, and the stillness of life. From previous trips (shoutout to Zambia ’23), I’ve heard about canoe trips at sunset on the river, which I am so excited to experience (sorry Mom, I AM going to do it!). When we were leaving, we met some more people and told them about our classes, which they were so excited for and making us pumped for Monday. 

Our fourth stop was Zambezi Boarding school, one of the many schools here in Zambezi, and the school Will & I will be at in a few days. The school was very beautiful with stunning plants on the sidewalks, high school students walking around, and big classes in session. We got to introduce ourselves to a senior math class, and when I looked at what they were learning, it was Trigonometry! While I love school, math is not my forte so I might have panicked a little! The students and teachers were excited for us to come on Monday, which can’t come any faster! 

Our fifth stop was Chilenga primary and secondary school where Gonzaga had donated a library to their school years ago. While talking to Father David, I noticed everyone else playing with the kids and my heart burst with happiness, knowing we have so much love to give and spread during our time here. On our way back to the convent, Will & I discussed how special this place really is and how we are grateful for our experiences with the community. There is no place like Zambezi and I feel fortunate to be a part of this community. 

Before lunch, a group of us went to the back of the convent and played with the kids that showed up. Charlie, Will, & Julia were playing monkey in the middle with the older kids, while me & Sarah took a class from Lucia with the younger kids, practicing our leaps and jumps. Seeing the laughter and smiles of the kids made me feel like a kid again myself, being goofy and carefree. 

Mama Katendi & Charlie prepared a yummy lunch, consisting of beef stew, fried rice, and fried okra which was some of the best okra I’ve ever had. Our lunch conversations consisted of our plans to head to mass tomorrow morning, followed by homestay for next weekend, and how the honey here is 10x better than the honey at home. We finished lunch and had a chill afternoon with us splitting into our teams preparing for classes on Monday. Everyone was in the zone, working hard to prepare a good week of classes, and getting excited for what’s to come along with some nerves, because we all have nerves. 

We finished the day off with watching the sunset at the river. During that time, I could feel the peace and stillness of life around me, reminding me to be present and build CONNECTIONS with everyone I meet during my journey in Zambezi. 

Sending best wishes and love, 

Ellie Powers ’24

After a ‘laxed wake up for some, and an earlier morning for others, the Zags prepared to embark on our long awaited trip to Zambezi… ready for greatness.

The first half of the group started their journey to the airport at the crack of dawn, so early that the airport hadn’t even opened yet. Talk about great time management! After a short bit of time, our early crew successfully made it to the runway, and after a couple of slow motion videos to Danger Zone, both planes successfully took off for a smooth sailing flight. Some caught some Z’s and others, well, they tried (sorry Emily).

After a lovely two hour flight above the rural lands of Zambia, Africa, both early planes landed within 20 minutes of one another and were each greeted with a warm welcome, filled with singing and dancing from some of the local Zambian schools that Gonzaga has ties with. There was even an adorable handmade sign! They expressed their many thanks and excitement for our arrival, and even sang Josh his very own song! (Hint: They really… REALLY like Josh).

Eventually, our early crew got settled into the convent, meeting some important people such as Mama Katendi and Mama Christine, names that you will likely hear plenty of times going forward. After a bit of a breather, our crew took a little trip to the markets, guided by Josh and Mama Katendi. They made sure to grab the essentials, plenty of unique foods, fresh produce, and much more. Once wrapped up, our early crew got together to enjoy some amazing lunch consisting of fresh apples, ripe bananas, peanut butter, and bread… talk about a lunch of champions! After some much needed food, Ani decided to make door signs for all of the rooms of the convent, which were adorable by the way, Josh prepared the hotels for our flight crew, and others caught up on some some much needed sleep with a lovely little nap.

While all of this was happening in Zambezi, the “later” crew and I had a lovely day of our own. With some rest on our favorite couches and a much nicer wake up time, we started off our day with a lovely breakfast and some time by the pool. We all got a chance to enjoy some leisurely downtime, with a few of us being lucky enough to get a massage or two. 

(But the winner of relaxation was certainly Brynn, who soaked up plenty of sun while reading an awesome book lended by Katie, the “founder” of our collective Zambian 2024 book club).

After we all got packed up and ready for the day, we took a quick trip back out to the market for some last minute trinket shopping, led by none other than our favorite… Dominic. It was my first time seeing the market, and I was purely amazed at the different groups of people and the plethora of different items, ranging from detailed accessories, wooden silverware, and beautiful paintings made in house. While a little pressed for time, my peers and I made our favorite… connections with the shop owners, and bargained for a few items before our speedy walk home. Through our quick turnaround, we stuffed ourselves and all our bags into the taxi (Tetris style) and said our sad goodbyes to our beloved Fawlty Towers (You will be missed).  

Eventually, we found ourselves at the airport, thankfully open this time. We said our final farewells to Dominic, our hardest goodbye yet, and walked on through with our many bags and duffles. We, like the morning crew, had some incredible time management and found ourselves in a position to kill two hours before our pilots arrived back in Livingstone. We enjoyed a little airport lunch together,  and for the most part, we all got the food we ordered (thank you Ana, Katie, and Brynn for sharing). After a quick bag check, many laughs, and some more slow motion danger zone videos, we finally embarked on our flights to Zambezi.

With a bit of a bumpier ride, as happens on the afternoon flights, we were up in the air experiencing pure bliss (or something real close to it). We all looked down at the vast, beautiful landscape of Zambia, seeing the incredible environment while getting to listen to some groovy music with our lovely pilot Colin.

After about two hours of airtime, we found ourselves on the runway of Zambezi. In our short trip to the ceremony, dozens of Zambians gathered together to wave at us and followed us to where we stored the planes. It was an incredible sight, watching hundreds of Zambians gather together and sing heart warming song. The feeling of gratitude and excitement filled my heart, and I was moved by the whole experience. We got a chance to meet many of the local children, and had a beautiful walk back to our final destination: the convent, filled with many high-fives and hands held. We started group chants, shared plenty of great laughs, and I even found out that I supposedly look like Justin Bieber! A true compliment to a guy who can’t sing, even if he tried.

We got the chance to catch our breath, wash our hands, and quickly settle in. We eventually gathered in the common room and heard some loud music coming from the back of the convent, and with our natural Zam Fam curiosity, we decided to check it out, and I’m so glad we did. We were welcomed to a surprise dance circle, started by some of the local adults and children. Within minutes we were all dancing together, with Will serving some sweet moves and Sarah showing us that she was the real Shakira, because wow, her hips did NOT lie!

Eventually, we had to go back inside to enjoy our lovely dinner of spaghetti and (sausage)balls, cabbage, apples, oranges, and freshly pumped water (Thank you Emily, Charlie, Mama Katendi, and Mama Christine). The power went off right as we sat down, so we shared our meal in pseudo darkness, thanks to our handy dandy headlamps. The food was delicious and the experience of it all was incredibly meaningful. I can’t wait for many more like it.

We are now all prepped for our first reflection together in Zambezi, a truly exciting moment for us. The collective amount of joy and smiles is something purely magical. I, along with the rest of us cannot wait for tomorrow to begin the rest of our journey, one that surely is will be marked by greatness.

Sending love to all our people,

Jackson Schmidt ’24 & the Zam Fam

PROGRAM NOTE: Our beloved faculty, Chris Sloan had a fall and injured her leg in Livingstone. She was evacuated to South Africa for surgery and will be unable to continue with our program. We have her in our prayers and invite you to do the same and hope for a quick recovery. To support our program, Professor Jeff Dodd is traveling to Zambezi as we speak.