Gonzaga-in-Zambezi

As I am writing this blog, I am overcome with emotions. I wish I could share everything I have learned thus far in a profound and inquisitive way. However, I am settling for small moments of good. So, with snot running down my face, and tears in my eyes, join me in the small snippets from our time here:

Moment #1:

Although Jeff (aka lil Doddy/Jeffie/Jefe/Mama Jeff as I like to call him), sometimes has a tough exterior, I have found a few moments of beautiful cracks. These cracks serve as reminders that no matter how seemingly unrelatable or distant someone may appear, we are all human deep down. While I do not have time to go into ALL of the ways I have seen him as simply a human, I really enjoyed making dinner with him last night. We bonded over similar music tastes, moments of silence, our INCREDIBLE singing skills, and the mashing of tomatoes by hand. Although lil Doddy is an authority figure whom I deeply respect, he is also just a human. It is a good reminder that no matter how elevated or low we might perceive someone to be, deep down everyone is just a human doing their best. An amazing lesson to be thinking about while interacting with the people of Zambezi.

Moment #2:

After returning from the market today. I found a relatively quiet place to read our assignment, “Who is a Servant Leader” by Robert K. Greenleaf. As I lay on the ground and watched the ants crawl up small blades of grass, I was reminded of the Outdoor Leadership class I took with Dave Gilbert, more specifically, the exercise he had us do on our backpacking trip. We lay on the wet moss and imagined we were an ant, a mite, and then a bear. It symbolized how the challenges we all face may vary in size on a measurable scale, but rarely vary in effort put in. Everyone has their challenges where they are ants, and the ones where they are bears. These last few mornings have been hard for me, and honestly so has the last many months. Despite seemingly everything going well and harnessing my ability to not sweat the small stuff, I still have this underlying and looming feeling that something bad is going to happen, that I am not doing enough, and that I am going to let everyone down. These thoughts make simply getting out of bed feel like I am an ant trying to make it to the top of a redwood tree.

Moment #3:

Earlier today, two plumbers had been in our bathroom, tasked with replacing the cistern above our toilet bowl. Meanwhile, we sat around the dinner table as Sarah read aloud her blog and the comments. We heard a BANG. the priest rushed in, the plumbers left, and we suspiciously continued with our readings. After all the blog was read, Jeff burst out in laughter, informing the people in rooms #1 and #2, that we may no longer use our Jack-and-Jill style bathroom for #1 nor #2. Carly, Kathleen, Becca, Cate, Sean, and I ogled at the modern art project that had become of our bathroom: somehow, the plumbers had shattered the toilet bowl into dozens of pieces and very suspect water spread across the bathroom floor. We could only laugh. The priest had mopped up the water that leaked and Jeff pleaded with the plumbers to come back tomorrow. We desperately hope they do.

Moment #4:

This final moment happened about 2 hours ago now. Mama and Dad Doty, you should be so incredibly proud of your Loosh. Instead of writing this blog, I have been sitting on the outside patio of the convent crying over how I felt like everything I was writing was stupid, I had no direction for the blog, and then the bigger feelings of defeat and not being good enough took over. I had finally calmed myself down, but not gotten rid of the feelings when Loosh gently and kindly came up and asked me how I was doing. I immediately burst into tears again. Without saying a word, she placed her hand on my back and rubbed with a comforting sentiment of accompaniment. In that moment, she was not there to advise, help, or even to listen. She was just there with me. As we moved on from the nonverbal segment of our interaction, she went on the listen, empathize, and affirm saying, “Let it just be a moment. Let your writing just be okay.” So, although I wish I could share every last detail with you, here are just a few of the moments in which I have found meaning.

Harlow, happy late birthday. I love and miss you and your brother so so so much. I hope you had an amazing unicorn birthday party.

Dad, thank you for continuing to comment. I look forward to hearing your support and wisdom every morning. I love you so much. Although, sometimes it shows up blank, so maybe ask a young person to help you out :/

Kee, you should be so proud of your girls. You have raised such incredible women through leading by example.

Brytn, Addie, and Brai, I have been thinking a lot about you here. I feel incredibly guilty that I am missing all of your graduations, but I am so proud of each of you.

Heather, I am still making it through your book, but I think it came into my life at a perfect time. I am still learning from your wisdom of how to embrace good. (EVERYONE go buy Good is Amazing by Heather Campbell.)

Future 1103 roomies, living in this collective lifestyle has made me so excited for our future adventures in that big ol’ house. I hope you are all doing well.

Whoever asked if Sarah really killed a chicken, yes yes she did. And it was delicious.

Piper Krill
Class of ‘27

Hi, I’m Sarah LaFleur, one of the two first-year students who got the opportunity to experience Zambia. 

“When my path through life feels difficult or scary, I can find peace knowing I am in the presence of God. I may not always be able to see how the road ahead will bend. But if I fear the unknown, I won’t be able to enjoy the journey.” A quote from the Daily Word my grandma handed off to me for this trip. 

As a child, I was incredibly outgoing. So outgoing that my family had to retrieve me back from trying to leave a restaurant with other families. I would start a conversation with anyone at any time, whether they wanted to listen or not. Moving forward to my young teenage years, where individualism begins to dull before flourishing once adulthood comes around, I strayed away from the outgoingness. I would speak only when I had something appealing to say, or when the ones I wanted to impress were around. I began shaping my own insecurities while missing out on the best parts of life. I don’t know whether it’s the way society has shaped young women to be or the constant pressure to be perfect we Americans seem obsessed with, but as I faced the starting point of adulthood, I grew uncomfortable with unfamiliarity and was unwilling to experience the unknown for fear of how others perceive me. This trip has so far thrown me full speed into both the unknown and the unfamiliar. 

With this trip, I went from driving the same roads I’ve known for 19 years, to navigating a foreign city only hours upon landing. From sleeping in a room surrounded by family at home and close friends at school, to sleeping in a hostel with 4 people I barely knew and a thin tent surrounded by the wildlife of Botswana. From conversing with close friends in English, to trying to understand the 72 different languages spoken in Zambia. Even from buying chicken breast at Costco, to preparing it myself from coop to table. (Nick, you were right, I did have to kill a chicken.) 

These out of comfort zone experiences have brought the most indescribable memories. I could not see how, “the road ahead will bend,” but I trusted God, my professors and peers, and my support back home to protect me. 

These experiences all tie back to connection. accompaniment. As we have been in Zambezi for four days now, we have been discussing the importance of accompaniment. In one of our readings, How to Know a Person by David Brooks, we learned the qualities of accompaniment. The one that I have been practicing in my days here is the other-centeredness. Letting your image, your ego, and your self-deprecating thoughts go to enjoy the present moment. The little things such as your hair, your weight, and your outfit do not matter when you’re involved in such joyful experiences. 

I did not think of how my hair looked when I leapt off a bridge; I instead made a bonding connection with Natalie who was jumping with me, attached to my hip. I did not think of what was stuck in my teeth while I sat face to face with a lion, I instead felt immense emotions connecting me to the wildlife on earth. I did not think of how my eyebrows were not plucked while I learned how to prepare a meal with Mama Katendi or was taught about Tok-Tawki Beetles by Opi, I instead engaged in gaining new cultural understanding and knowledge. I did not think of how my stomach looked in my shirt when I danced freely around the fire, I instead immersed myself into the Zambian way, care free and full of support.

Zambia has taught me a new way of life. I am connecting with others, unafraid of what they may perceive. I am learning about culture, open to admitting my assumptions. I am contributing to the community, finding growth in making mistakes. My inability to be present, to let go of my judgmental thoughts, to avoid the unfamiliar, the unknown, and the uncomfortable have begun fading away, and I can not wait to see what more can be done in the next three weeks.

To my friends and family, I miss you lots and cannot wait to see you all. I will continue to be constantly reminded of the love and support I have from back home. (Ps: Dad, my towel is working!)

Sarah LaFleur
School of Education, Class of ’28

Today is Sunday and we went to the local church in Zambezi. Growing up music was always a big part of my life. Between dancing to “Fly Me to the Moon” with my dad and rocking out to the Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack. Or scream singing “Into the Unknown” and Abba with my mom, my love from music ties me to my family. I have done choir for 4 years and band for 9 years and have been fortunate to find community, love, and support within music. I have fond memories of my mom helping me and my siblings with piano, my dad singing me lullabies before bed and me and by siblings jamming out to “Mr. Bright Side” by the Killers. While I miss my family and home a ton, I feel that in every song and melody I feel that my family is with me. 

A common belief is that music is its own language. Whether it is during mass, in the car with your friends, or a tune in the background at a park, music holds so much memory, power, emotion, and connection. Through my time at Gonzaga and in Zambia, I have been able to see and experience new perspectives around God and religion. During the mass in Zambia I prayed for the first time in years. It was not a prayer for something to work out for me on a whim. Nor for the immediate Hail Mary for a family member’s health. I simply thanked God, and asked for protection & joy for our group and the community. Thing singing in the choir reminded me of my Grandma Penny. She was always said to have had a beautiful voice and sang in the choir back in Ketchikan, Alaska. What made me decide to pray was the emotions I felt in the singing of the choir and the whispers of hope. It reminded me of my Grandma’s love of God, family and music. Even though during the mass in Zambezi I couldn’t understand all the words the singers were saying, there was pure joy and love in their singing. This brought me a comfort and happiness that I have not felt in a Catholic Church in a long time. 

Later in the day, after having a semi stressful lesson planning conversation Sean and I went for a decompression walk. We came across an older woman boiling water for a shower. After waving and saying hi, I decided to ask if we could come talk, which led to us taking a seat on her tarp. We learned about her past experiences in the hospitals fighting the AIDS and HIV outbreak. She lives in a house sandwiched between her son and daughter’s houses. She had at least 12 grandchildren and great grandchildren running around playing and made each of them come say hi to us. We heard about how proud she was of her hard working kids throughout the region and made sure to tell us how happy she was we were in Zambezi. During the conversation I couldn’t help but reminisce of the times with all my cousins and second cousins running around in Ketchikan. One of her grandchildren, Hagai, started drumming on a wooden stool with two sticks. I pointed out to the boy that Sean is also a drummer and may or may not have peer pressured him into playing. They went back and forth exchanging rhythms, no words were spoken. It was a beautiful moment where even though there was a language barrier, cultural barrier and big age difference, they were able to not only communicate but build an understanding and connection with each other. I also gave the drums a shot but was not as successful (which Sean has on video). This made all of us laugh together and I was yet again reminded of the joy music had brought my family. 

Later in the evening we had a meet and greet turned dance party with the local church’s youth group, St. Gabriel’s, the GABBYs. We all danced together to traditional Lunda and Luvale songs. None of us had any idea what the words meant but we moved our hips and swayed our hands just the same. Yet again, I had joy, love and laughter fill my heart and soul. There were people who I just met, some whose hand I never got to shake but the connection we had while listening to the music is a bond that will last a lifetime. As one of my teachers said, there are many seeds being planted during this trip that will one day grow into trees. I hope that through  my experience in Zambezi, the seeds of patience, connection and hope will become a tree. 

Kathleen Slee
School of Education, Class of ’27

“Clear is kind. Unclear is unkind.” – Brené Brown

Ever since I read Dare to Lead last summer, I have lived my life based on this quote. Over the past several months I have applied it to all areas of my life, from communicating with customers at work, to roommates, to my older brother and parents. I thought I had it down: Say what you mean, even if it might be difficult for you to communicate or for the other person to hear (in  respectful ways, of course). Furthermore, act with purpose, mindfulness, and intentionality. However, my world has been slightly shaken over the past week as I have realized that I do not, in fact, have it all figured out.

Jeff has a patch on the fanny pack he carries around that says, “Humanize, Accompany, Complicate.” He explained to us early on that he tries to cultivate his experience in Zambia each year through these words. The one that sticks out to me most is complicate. The dynamics between ourselves and Zambians, and between our expectation and our actual experiences, throughout the first week of our trip were very complicated. I grappled with going to high tea at a five star resort owned by South Africans just a few miles down the road from our hostel, negotiating with vendors at the public and curio markets over money that to us seems nominal, and eating at restaurants that seem to serve everything but traditional Zambian cuisine. In my mind, these experiences were anything but clear, and I struggled to know if I was speaking, acting, and experiencing Zambia “correctly.”

Yesterday after our warm welcome in Zambezi, full of singing and dancing, Taylor, Alea, Becca, and I joined a pickup soccer game with a group of boys down the block from the convent, despite their obvious doubts about our soccer talent. We played until It was dark, stopping to admire the purple and yellow sunset. Highlights included Alea being chosen for a PK (and scoring!) and my left-footed goal in the upper right corner. We were elated when we left and many of the boys called after us, “let’s play again tomorrow!”

The soccer game made it known to me that Jeff’s complicate patch isn’t talking about how complicated it may feel to interact with a new culture. Rather, it is abut complicating our experiences in order to become mutually indebted with this community. Going to high tea, engaging at the curio markets, and eating at restaurants catering to tourists gave me firsthand experience with how this culture came to be what it is. Even though we couldn’t understand some of what our soccer teammates said and were very unclear on the boys’ local rules at times (talk about complicated), we established an understanding of our place on the pitch and developed strong teamwork by the end of the game. We were part of how they connect with one another.

That’s what I think Brené Brown missed: the how. Finding out how isn’t always clear, but it is always complicated. Being clear in every single thing I say and do doesn’t allow me to experience genuine connection, new perspectives, and real conversations – the how. Embracing complication, on the other hand, pushes me to explore the boundaries of what I know about myself and the world as I interact with others. As we look to begin our classes this week, my goal is to drive my work with complication and dare myself to be unclear.

Caroline Murphy
Class of 2027

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.  

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

As our time in Livingstone comes to an end, I can’t help but reminisce on everything we were able to do. Being able to see Victoria Falls and going on safari has given all of us an overwhelming sense of gratitude and appreciation for the world around us. 

Today was the last day we spent in Livingstone. A few of us decided to go back to the falls (including myself) to bungee jump, swing, or zip line, while others stayed at Fawlty Towers hostel to enjoy a massage or read by the pool.  

As I and a few others made our way to Victoria Bridge, we were immediately in awe of the view before us. It was in that moment that I realized how transformative viewing the world through a camera lens can be. Before this, I had really only viewed the beauty of the falls from a distance or through a camera. 

Becca and I quickly decided we were gonna do the tandem swing together. As we were standing on the edge of the bridge ready to jump off, I realized just how quickly one’s perspective can change. All of a sudden, we were facing the beautiful horizon as the water rushed beneath us and the rainbow shined through the mist from the falls. This sight felt strangely unfamiliar, not like anything that could be captured by a photo or video.

While photos or videos can capture a moment’s visual essence, they lack the emotion and feeling that often comes with it. These real life encounters can make familiar scenes feel entirely new, reminding us how perception deepens when we step outside of the frame. 

As we continue our journey to Zambezi, we not only embrace the evolution of our own perspectives but also inspire one another to question ideas and see the world through broader, more open lenses.

Cate Mastroni
Psychology Major, Gonzaga Class of ’27

Human connection is the root of this trip, and truly why many of us picked it, including me. To meet new gonzaga friends. To strengthen previous relationships. To accompany the zambians we meet.

On day 4, we went to Victoria Falls and high tea at the Royal Livingstone Resort. I didn’t know really what to expect from the waterfall, but it truly exceeded every expectation. I saw human connection firsthand as people screamed of joy as we passed over the bridge and water washed all over and around us. Alea and I connected as we quickly got separated to the back due to our lack of water shoes. It was a reminder that sometimes human connection can also be wordless, simply the proximity of people to one another.

The next day, day 5, when we arrived at Kalahari Tours, we were warmly greeted by one of our tour guides, Opi. His warm smile and instant jokes to Jeff after not seeing him for the past 6 years was a testament to the importance and depth that human connection can have.

Once on the river tour, slowly making our way down, eager to see animals, I was reminded of just how simple connection can be. It doesn’t need to be something big or extravagant — an example I witnessed was when Kamy sat at the bow of the boat to see the animals better and Sarah simply walked up and joined her. I think for me it was a great reminder of how connections don’t have to be some grand gesture, and oftentimes connections are formed in moments we don’t even notice or remember.

As we continued the tour on land, the excitement had built up and was palpable! We saw antelopes, elephants, crocodiles, hippos, and giraffes!!! SO COOL! I saw the same human connection in the “wows” and shrieks when a person’s favorite animal was seen. I think that, on a deeper level, I felt a connection to these animals, knowing that the God (or the higher power you believe in) that made me perfect made these beautiful animals.

In the safari land cruiser, as we drove around talking about our “hot takes” and pet peeves, cute stories and how we were feeling about everything, I realized that this was all in an effort to achieve the human connection we crave so badly. I also witnessed connection in the way James casually talked to our driver, Teezah, getting his life story and learning about his experience working with Kalahari Tours. I have always hoped to be someone that harnesses the natural ability of conversation and connection with others. I take inspiration from James’ simple questions like “How long have you been…” or “What languages do you speak” — easy questions that I can integrate into conversations with the people I am bound to meet in Zambezi, and the world beyond.

To my family, thank you for teaching me the importance of human connection and allowing me to connect with Zambians on this trip.

Caroline Oromchian
Class of ’28

As I reflect on these past few days since we arrived in Zambia, I immediately think of all the new things I have learned. From the adjustment of Zambia driving on the other side of the road, to staying in rooms with 2-8 people at the hostels, we are all learning how to adjust to new environments and changes. Although I have some experience with trips similar to this ,since I’ve been to Honduras 3 times and conditions are similar, adjusting and/or readjusting can be a challenge. 

For those who don’t know me, my name is Carly and I’m going to be a junior this upcoming school year. I’m a Community, Culture, and Language major and hope to teach 1st or 2nd grade after graduation.

On the 3 Honduras mission trips I mentioned above, I was lucky enough to travel with my immediate family as well as my Grammy. On these trips, my Grammy has taught me something that has changed my outlook on trips such as this one. Ever since her first trip to Honduras, she has always said “We need to be Gumby.” For those who don’t know who Gumby is, he is a green character/action figure that was advertised as “very stretchable and bendable.”

You may be wondering how this relates to being somewhere such as Zambia and why I’m bringing up a random character. Throughout past trips I have been on, after we quickly change plans, adjust timing, have issues, etc. we always refer to them as Gumby moments and say that we deserve the Gumby award.  Throughout the first few days of this trip, there have already been countless Gumby moments and many times I believe we all deserve the Gumby award. As you can see in the picture above, “being Gumby” can also look like moving seats on a bus in order to support other students. 

(And yes, that is Jeff turned away and being a party pooper hahaha)

Yes, that is Jeff turned away being a party pooper!

Today specifically I believe was a Gumby award worthy day. We spent about 10 hours in a small bus with no air conditioning and minimal stops. On top of that we had the funny funny challenge of trying to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on the moving bus. Caroline, Sean, Piper, and Natalie stepped right into action and made a “sandwich assembly line” in which there were a few spills, some sticky hands, but some amazing sandwiches. 

Additionally, the ride took longer than we expected. We expected it to be 7-8 hours total but it ended up being 10. Even though we all were trying our best to stay positive on a bus we wouldn’t typically have volunteered to go on, we all remained friendly and social from the start to the finish.

With all this being said and many other times both past and future that we will all be “Gumby,” an important takeaway for me personally as well as other students is that it’s okay to be uncomfortable with the unknown and that becoming comfortable in the uncomfortable will take some time and adjustment. Additionally, as we familiarize ourselves with the customs, food, and culture of Zambia, I know that we will all become more comfortable not only as Zags but as friends.

As we continue to learn and grow in this amazing experience, I can’t wait to push myself out of my comfort zone and practice patience. With many exciting events lying ahead and our safari in the next few days, I’m excited to make amazing memories with everyone. 

For the reason listed above as well as many more that will occur throughout a trip like this one, I believe that we all deserve a Gumby award!

With love from myself and the trip stuffies,

Carly Fassio
Gonzaga School of Ed., Class of ’27

PS, we leave for safari tomorrow morning, so don’t expect another post until Friday!

I feel honored to have the chance to write this blog on my second adventure in Zambia. Just about a month ago, I had the opportunity to give an enthusiastic ‘YES’ to Gonzaga in Zambezi again as a TA. Shout out to my ZamFam 2024. 

When I left Zambezi last year, my mind and spirit truly had flourished. I felt like a new being had just come out of its shell. A human with more capacity to love, to ask difficult questions, and to lean in to all that Zambia has to offer. 

Being a TA this year has offered blessing after blessing. For those of you who may not know me, my name is Lucia and I just graduated Gonzaga last Sunday!! I graduated with majors in Public Relations and Religious Studies and a minor in Leadership Studies. I am ecstatic to accompany the students on this 2025 adventure. In this TA position, I just can’t wait to see the students flourish in their own unique ways.

After 3 long travel days we have made our way to Lusaka! We spent our first couple of hours getting to know each other at the airport, chatting about how some of us like, Cate and Becca, took the LightRail down from Becca’s house. Taylor drove over from Spokane the morning of our flight, and Caroline O. took an early flight from the Bay Area. At the airport, we giggled at the already active What’s App ZamFam 2025 group chat where Sean and Piper sent a video of taking their first malaria pill or giggling at how Jeff sent a picture of him, James, and Kamy. We also chatted about how excited we are for Caroline M. to bring her drone to Zambezi! 

But no matter how we ended up at SeaTac or how active everyone has already been in the group chat or in class, I can feel a deep commitment to the journey from this group. Although, a very curious bunch, maybe asking too many questions at times… I applaud their willingness to get to know one another and already lean on each other. I know we are ready to dive into complex and life giving experiences that Zambia has to offer.

After the long 14 hour flight where I got to sit next to Ellie, James, and Kamy, we made it to Dubai. I chatted with Kamy about how she went to the same high school as one of my best friends Merle and talked to Ellie about why she decided to watch Sound of Music on the plane. We then made it to Dubai with 20 other Zags!! This year there is a Gonzaga trip through the Biology department going to Zambia as well. We have split ways, but we had the chance to hang out with them on our Dubai tour! 

After the tour, I walked back to my room I shared with Sloane and we chatted about our Gonzaga experiences, her love for the Gonzaga club volleyball team, and how I was feeling about going to Zambia a second time now as a TA. 

Already during our time at the airport in Dubai we had Alea braiding Sarah’s hair, Kathleen chatting to Jeff about a book they both read, Carly chatting to me about her time in Kenya last year, and Katy reviewing some McDonald’s donuts. I then walked into the flight with Mia, both nervous but more excited about the flight. 

 Finally, we landed in Lusaka!! We went to a delicious meal at a restaurant called Chicagos, explored the mall, and gathered some shampoo and conditioner for the group from the grocery store. Natalie and I got especially into the game of wavelength at dinner and laughed at silly answers and questions together.

After long long days of travel, we made it to our hostel in Lusaka. Now, we are all prepping for the long day of more travel in the bus tomorrow down to Livingstone!! 

More and more I am realizing on the trip to Zambia once again that the journey is human life and life needs company. I can not wait to explore this journey with the group and accompany each other ever step of the way. 

To Alex, Mom, Dad, and George thank you for supporting me in my journey to get here (again!). 1018 girls, Soph, Gi, Cat, Cam, I love all of you and am thinking of you all more than you know. 

ZamFam 2024 🫶🏻 Connection. 

And my entire community I just can not wait to share this experience with you all when we reunite!! 

Love,

Loosh

Hello, loved ones. We have arrived in Dubai. We took a Big Bus Tour around the city and saw all of the sights, and the one and only largest sky scraper in the world. Your Zags are safe and sound as we spend the night in Dubai. We’ll be waking bright and early to fly to Lusaka, the capital of Zambia. Stay tuned for more adventures.