LearnServe Zambia 2016, Day 3: A Very Special Birthday

Monday, June 27, 2016 – “Boom”! I woke up to the sound of a drum. Every time I sleep and wakeup I forget where I am… It was the second morning drum at the Green Pop camp site. We took a 7 hour bus ride the other day from Lusaka to Livingstone to get to the camp site. I was enjoying Lusaka. It was becoming much like a home to me; it was comfortable and warm. It seems like every time we get comfortable we have to change locations. I guess that is a part of being a traveler.

It’s not that I’m not enjoying Zambia it’s just that I’ve been extremely homesick the first couple of days before we arrived at Green Pop. So I wasn’t in the best state of mind. Waking up in a tent in Africa thousands of miles away from home surrounded by over 50 strangers is definitely out of my comfort zone. But, that is what this trip is all about. Breaking comfort zones and building new exciting memorizes no matter how strange or out of place you feel in the moment. I try not to be ashamed of my thought process or how I’m feeling. It’s better to feel what you feel and accept it good or bad. This is what I did today. I accepted that I was homesick and tried to move passed it. I motivated myself with food!

I got up and changed my onesie and walked to breakfast. I began smiling on my way there… I’m here. I am in Africa; the mother land! I’m doing something that many people dream of and I also get to do it on my birthday. Today is my 18^th birthday. I could never imagine that it would be celebrated in Africa. It was awesome. People I didn’t know came up to me and wished me a happy birthday… Some even hugged me (I didn’t mind). They were all full of smiles, love, and positive vibes. I could feel their energy. I love the people in southern Africa. It’s almost like a sort of utopia here. I feel free. There is no judgement. Everyone is equal and is respected regardless of their race or gender.

We’ve only been here at Green Pop for one night but it feels like we’ve been here forever… That’s a good thing. I’ve made so many friends and met so many beautiful people. I even played soccer today with locals in Livingstone. I haven’t played soccer in almost 5 years. Although I just turned 18 I felt like my 5 year old self again. Free, comfortable, and fearless. It was fantastic. Being in Zambia is fantastic!

Infinite love and peace

Saeviona (Sae) G., Paul Public Charter School