Today we had a late start, which was really appreciated by all of the students on the trip. We have a daily “Captain” who acts as leader of our group for the day – and today it was my honor to be captain! Most people were already awake, but at 7:45 I woke up to do my first captain duty of the day and act as a wake up call for everyone else. Today we rode a bus to Daughters’ Vision, an organization created by a lovely woman named Gladys. The organization helps empower vulnerable girls in the N’gombe neighborhood and gives them the chance to go to school (many girls in Zambia don’t go to school because their parents need them to do daily chores). Also, Daughters’ Vision helps girls from ages 6-18 find their voice and express their individuality.
Our goal was to help the girls understand that they are important, and that we wanted to hear their stories. My group was working with 7 year olds. Our plan was to help them draw something that made them happy in their life, something that made them sad and what they want their career to be. I think that the most powerful responses came out of the girls’ dream careers. Each of the 11 girls in my class wanted to be a nurse, or a doctor or an accountant and one even wanted to be a soldier. I will always remember the response of this child when I asked why she wanted to be a soldier. She simply said in her language, Nianji, that “I just want to maybe want to protect my mother and my brothers and help the world.”
This trip has offered so many moments that I just want to flush onto this page. One that is really important to me happened yesterday when we were leaving Chikumbuso (the elementary school where we have been teaching for the last few days). A few of us hung back at the school after most of the group had left. I was still talking to kids from the local high school. I got a signal from one of my friends on the trip that we were leaving and I realized I had to say goodbye to this wonderful place. I looked around the schoolyard. I saw the rooms where the ladies make the beautiful baskets; I saw Classroom 5, where I taught kids about the sun, the equator and how to play Simon Says; but what will stay with me is what I heard. Coming from the sewing room, ladies were singing as we walked away. I tried to trudge slowly so I could hear it and I made a panorama in my mind of a place I might never see again. Walking out of Chikumbuso, surrounded by proud Zambian voices, helped me realize how lucky I was just to be there.
At least to me, being American has a certain baggage. There’s a strong sense of “we” and “they” and you’re taught to hold America in the highest seat. Being in this new country, however, I can’t help having extreme pride and respect for Zambia and it’s people. All the people I have met here have been incredibly kind and I always try to speak with them so I can learn their story. The theme of having your own story to tell is important for today because we were teaching the girls at Daughters’ Vision to have a voice and be proud of who they are. I’m delighted to say that this trip is shaping up to be an important chapter in the story of my life. And what’s even more exciting is that this chapter is still being written.
Alex, 15, Georgetown Day School
3 thoughts on “Zambia 2014, Day 5 – Having your own story”
Dear Alex, what an insightful and thoughtful blog. I really enjoyed reading it and can hear the women singing as they sew. Am so thrilled you are enjoying your time there and meeting and learning from so many interesting people. We’re missing you but know that this experience will leave its imprint on you forever. I have a couple of trees to plant when you get home and will be counting on your experience at Trees for Zambia. Keep up the journal and blogging.
Love Mom
I am so proud of you, Alex, for being in the moment and embracing this experience! You get “it” and know why you are there. Keep up the good work! The impact of what you are doing will continue to transform you and those whom you meet long after you have returned to the US.
Kudos to you for such powerful observations. I was touched by what you perceived at the Chikumbuso school. I was impressed by your command of language in expressing your observations. I hope you will remember your experiences in Zambia all your life, and that you will let them shape you in optimal ways. I sense that you understand what a privilege it was to visit Zambia. I hope that you will always cherish it.
Keep it sacred. Anything less would be… Lesser than it ought to be.