Today was our first full day in Zambia. We visited the David Kaunda School and spent time with some of the students there. When we arrived, a group of about 15 students walked up to us and greeted us with smiles and handshakes. We all stood there awkwardly for a bit, but then we paired off into groups of two to tour the campus. The campus was large and beautiful with so many types of trees I had never seen in America. I was worried the conversation would be awkward, and I would struggle to talk for hours to a 13-year-old girl who lives half-way across the world from me. But as soon as we started talking, I realized I had much more in common with her than I expected.
My partner’s name was Kathy, and like me, she had two sisters. We talked about how we fought with our sisters but loved them anyway. She told me about how she loved to dance and how people at her school called her the dancing queen. She loved singing and listening to music, and we immediately bonded over our love for music. Our conversations ranged from our mutual hatred of certain vegetables to celebrities to American stereotypes to snow. As we were walking around campus, she told me about how she loves to swim, play soccer, run and do math. I told her that she must be very busy, and she replied, “yes I’m very talented.” Her confidence and assurance were brazen yet refreshing. I come from an area where kids are often told to underestimate themselves and doubt their abilities in order to fit in or seem cool.
Even though many of the teachers were gone proctoring the twelfth graders’ exams, students were in classrooms studying and working together to learn the class material without any adult supervision. Our group mentioned if there weren’t teachers present in America, we doubt that much student work would have taken place. Their motivation and excitement to learn stood out to me as I talked with many of them about their plans for the future. Kathy wants to be a lawyer when she grows up and was amazed to hear that my father was one. Although the cultural differences were apparent from the beginning of our visit, as the day progressed and we talked more in depth, I began to notice similarities between us and the Zambian students. That brought us together, made the day fun and educational, and fostered many new friendships.
After our visit to the school, we went out to dinner with a group of students from Trinity High School in New York City. Amy Richards, an author and feminist activist from the U.S., was the trip leader for the Trinity group. She set up a dinner with us and other local social activists and entrepreneurs from places like Children International, Grassroots Soccer, and USAID. We got to hear them talk about the work in which they are involved and how they are making differences in their communities. I sat next to a Trinity student who lives only a few blocks away from my dad’s old office where I used to spend time as a child. As we talked about Manhattan, it reminded me of my family in New York. I was excited and surprised to meet so many new people and make so many connections with students halfway across the globe.
Luna S., National Cathedral School