By Lauren Hilliard
Recently, I’ve been worried about the future a lot, especially considering that I am applying to college this fall. It feels like I’ve been behind on the process and that I’m running out of time even though in reality I know that I have months before applications are due. You know that feeling where you know you have a lot of work to do and you know that it’s attainable work, but the idea of so much work overwhelms you? Oftentimes when this happens, our fight or flight reflexes kick in and we come to the choice of doing the work or procrastinating. Unfortunately, not as honorable as I would like to sound, I oftentimes pick procrastination, which in the end leads to more stress and anxiety. It’s very easy to turn your attention away from the things you need to do most, and sometimes that may be rooted in fear of what may or may not happen. However, something groundbreaking that I’ve learned so far over the short course of this trip is the concept of intentions.
Every morning, Chris leads us through setting our intentions for the day – to set personal goals each day, and he challenges us to be purposeful about our actions. This part of the day is always my favorite part because it pushes me to create more short-term goals that are attainable throughout the day. This practice has been really grounding for me because it allows me to break down that overwhelming work into smaller, short-term goals that I can reach for and ultimately achieve my bigger goals, or in LearnServe terms, my “minimal vialbe product.” So, when I set my intentions for this morning, the main goal was to be really present and take in the moments from today so that I can share with you the awesomeness of our day, the people we meet, and most importantly, the things we learn. From a venture to even daily tasks, it’s been rewarding to see the learning from the Fellows anrfgtd Incubator Programs come to life, especially through the things we experienced today like the Njira (en-jeer-a) visit, our Community Action Project, and even the energetic bus rides.
In the morning, with the Zambian LearnServe students, we had the chance to engage with the Njira Youth Skills Center, where we learned about the impacts of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and drug abuse in the Kalikiliki Compound just outside of Lusaka. There, we witnessed a community outreach event where we enjoyed cultural music and dances, and even had the chance to go out and dance in the circle ourselves. Jackie, Velma, and Niyea wowed the show with their moves while everyone cheered, and I and many others simply (and happily) served as hype men for them. Immediately following that, we visited Njira’s facilities and had a chance to meet and interview a representative from Njira.. Both events were a great way to start the day because they gave me and my peers insight into the powerful service work that was being done in Zambia. It was really moving to see all the work that Njira does for the community, and I think taking time to see the service work in Lusaka invigorated us for our own service work that we would do later in the day. I was really impressed with the impact of Njira on the community, so I felt very present. Not only did I learn something new, but also felt empowered to keep working for social justice in my own community.
Then in the afternoon, after lunch, we began the first day of work for our Land Action Project at the Care Foundation School. For context, my US and Zambian peers and I have been working very hard for months to plan and organize all the details and functions of this project. Prior to our departure, we had met weekly to make sure that this project was a part of our agenda while in Lusaka, so the energy leading up to this moment was palpable. We had our work cut out for us in painting the sides of the school, yet with our group, the task seemed very seamless. Even though a good portion of us sacrificed our LearnServe t-shirts, the task was still a great time, with dance parties, playing with the kids who were watching us paint, and music. It was really rewarding to see the first part of our plan come to fruition, and to also be a part of change in the community ourselves. The physical labor kept me engaged and also allowed me to connect with more people which was a great additional benefit.
My intention for today was to be present and in the moment so that I could best relay the details of my day, but I think aiming to be present today allowed me to enjoy the day more and seize the moment. Today, I learned, engaged with others, and was a part of service. I don’t think I would have been able to have such an amazing day, without my intention, even though it was very simple. It goes to show how being purposeful can really shape your actions.
