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

Monday, 28 December 2009

26th December - Down at the farm on boxing day






It’s boxing day today, but in Zambia the day is not marked as a special occasion and when a Zambian asked me what the definition of boxing day in Britain is, I have to admit I really stumbled for an answer. If anyone has a definition of boxing day, then please drop me a comment!

I celebrated boxing day by spreading fertiliser on a 5 acre plot of land at 9am in the blazing hot African sun.
I now see how much hard work goes into farming, especially in Chipata where there are no tractors or sprinklers or even any farm staff to help. Mrs Daka showed us how to apply fertiliser and how to build ridges so that the water doesn’t wash away the top soil. She explained how groundnuts don’t need fertiliser, but how Maize does. It was a beautiful plot of land that stretched for miles – all the cultivation is done by strong hands and a strong will. I asked her how often she visits the farm. “Everyday”, she replied. Gosh, I was shattered when I got home and I’m still recovering from the raking, the bending down and the cycling. I couldn’t imagine doing that work everyday. It was great to help out and I think the Dakas really appreciated our small efforts. We were rewarded by a cup of tea prepared on a fire and then Mrs Daka prepared a delicious Zambian meal of Nshima (Maize dumpling), Chewawa (pumpkin leaves in a tomato and onion stew) and chicken. Yum! I didn’t realise what an appetite I had.
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2 comments:

  1. Unknown31 December 2009 at 02:55

    Great blogging, Sarah!

    I think Boxing Day comes from the word 'box' as in 'tip or gift'. I think tradesmen and servants picked up their Christmas tips for the year's service the day after Christmas.

    Happy New Year to you!

    P.S. Liked the chickens in Tesco bags! I wonder how many people would know what to do with such a real-life chicken in Britain!

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  2. Sarah4 January 2010 at 04:24

    Brilliant - thanks Nick! I'm so glad that at last I know what boxing day actually means!!

    Yes, those chickens were cute. Shame their lives had to come to a ghastly end, but at least they spent their last days roaming the African landscape before succumbing to the Tesco bag and finally the cooker!

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