Hello and Welcome!

Thanks for visiting my blog. I'm currently working as a Fundraising Advisor in Chipata for a small community-based organisation called Chipata Dzithandizeni Nutrition Group, based in the Eastern Province of Zambia.

It's a role I gained through Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) and I'm hoping to share my experiences of Zambian culture with you through this site.

I'm lucky to be working with some amazing colleagues and the community, sharing skills in order to generate income and resources to support the work of the the Nutrition Group. The Group is situated in Kapata township right in the heart of Chipata and its focus is to provide nutritional support to vulnerable children and adults in the urban and rural areas of Chipata.

Before this, I had never been to Zambia, slept under a mosquito net or even accepted a job without meeting any of my colleagues first, so as you can imagine it was a bit of a risk! I'm grateful to VSO for all their support in preparing me for all the challenges! I'm hoping that with some fun and hard work along the way, I'll look back and think that every minute was worth it.

If you like, you can see where Chipata is by clicking on the map on the right. Also feel free to click on the Zambia Country profile to learn more about this stunning country. Take a browse through my blog and feel free to post me any messages along the way!

Please remember that all the views within this blog do not represent the views of VSO or Chipata Nutrition Group.

Thanks,
Sarah

Wednesday, 28 October 2009

Wednesday 28/10/09 - Bloodbath!

I met the District Commissioner today who was a very smooth talking disciplinary. He manages all affairs in the district and welcomed me with open arms followed by a few words about how I should marry his son. He’s given me his family name already. I wasn’t sure what to make of such remarks and kept smiling through his jokes, but deep down I was beginning to think that I hope this man is taking me seriously.
The afternoon went down hill. I got home and had a chat with Brenda our housekeeper who started screaming as she saw a rat climing up the veranda wall and into the roof by the mango tree. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. The worst bit came when I went to the bathroom and in the corner I saw another rat heading towards me. Brenda came with a stick and butchered it dead in one hit. I saw the blood and guts by mistake and ran out of the house screaming so loud that I’m convinced the whole of Chipata could hear me. My neighbours at the guest house must’ve wondered who had been killed. I;m so annoyed and disgusted that my temporary house is infested with rats. I was so sickened by this new fact that I decided to call on my good VSO friends Mike and Leon to rescue me again. In half an hour they showed up with a truck and I loaded my belongings onto the back and jumped in with some hope that I won’t have to face that rat infested house another evening. I’m now here typing in candlelight with a glass of wine (the power in chipata has gone again), but it’s lovely being able to be around some great people swapping stories of our day. I’m not sure what will face me tomorrow, but it’s been a good day, despite the wildlife.
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1 comment:

  1. Emily30 October 2009 at 15:22

    Hey Sarah,

    Great blog! I'm getting quite nervous and excited about moving to Livingstone (in the southern province) in February. Sounds like a nice group of volunteers though, I hope we get to meet!

    I'll definitely keep following your adventures in the meantime.

    Best wishes,
    Emily

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