The 6 things I miss the most in Zambia

Although I like to be in Zambia, there are a certain number of things that I miss. Besides my family and friends, here are the 6 things I miss the most here:

1. Good health care – The clinic is 3.5 km from the place I live. There's no public transport. People have to walk or to cycle, if they have a bike. In the clinic, despite the doctor's good intentions, they cannot do much when a person is sick with a disease that is not malaria. Fortunately, when I come to the city, I can go to a private clinic where the conditions are better than in the rural area. Still, I cannot stop to think about those ones who cannot afford private health care.

2. My toilet (inside the house) – Using a latrine is okay. Still, the idea of having my own toilet is way better! Not having to go out (with a torch) in the middle of the night because we have to use the latrine would be very nice. Never underestimate the power that a toilet can have in your life!

3. European public transport – Here the buses don't seem to have any schedule. They leave when they are full ( I mean, REALLY full). Usually, we are squeezed on a bus together with luggage, maize, cement and chickens. But that's when we have  bus. Usually we have to walk at least 40 min (one way) to go to the nearest villages. Most of the times, the weather is really hot and I really miss a car or even European public transport.

4. Fruit – In the rural area where I live, there's almost no fruit. Sometimes, we can buy small bananas. They usually have more fruit during the rainy season, which will start in November ( when  I'm leaving).

5. A good terrace – I'd love to have a terrace here where I could just sit, have my meal and enjoy the sunset at the end of the day. We have a terrace, but unfortunately we don't have any chairs or tables.  We just have two school-style benches that we cannot use because they are full of resin.

6. A beach – Hot weather reminds me of my summers on the beach. Unfortunately, there's no beach in Zambia. I miss feeling the sand on my toes and to swim in the sea.

“You can't change the world, but you can change yourself”

I've been very busy since the last post. Between presentations on HIV/AIDS, staying in Ndola, staying in Lusaka and starting to paint the nearest preschool, my opinion about Zambia completely changed.

When I arrived in Zambia, it wasn't easy. Different living conditions, different motivations and different mentalities.

In the beginning, I was disappointed many times with many things around me. One thing that I learned is that there is a big different between understanding and knowing. 

I understood when people told me that it's difficult to deal with the "african time", that there is corruption, that a person needs to be brave and straight forward if they want to help. I agreed with that. It made sense. However, when I arrived in Zambia I was shocked. It was difficult for me to accept the way people live here. I quickly realized that I needed to change my way of thinking in order to be able to help in an efficient way.

Just after I met with different Zambian people, I was able to know what people told me. I was able to extend my knowledge and to open my mind to a completely different culture.

I'm glad I'm in Zambia!