Its cooling down here in sub-saharan Africa. I’m not sure exactly what the temperature was today as I have no TV to switch on in the mornings for the latest weather report, but it felt like 3 degrees in the shade. Despite the winter weather, things are hotting up here in Zambia as its only 3 days to go until Africa will hold the 2010 World Cup! I’m not sure where I will be yet to watch the fixtures, but wherever it will be I’m sure the Zambians will be supporting the games very closely and I’m hoping that some fellow colleagues will support England, especially now that Zambia didn't make it through....we’ll see.
On the work front, it has been a busy month. In April, Dzithandizeni Nutrition Group received 2 new volunteers through the Global Exchange programme which is run in conjunction with VSO and the British Council. It’s a six-month youth exchange programme which gives young people from Zambia and the UK a unique opportunity to work together, to develop and share valuable skills and to make a practical contribution where it is needed in local communities in both the UK and in Zambia. The Nutrition Group was proud to receive 2 volunteers at the office in Chipata and last month I traveled with them and our programme officer to Mgwazo village, based in the Chiefdom of M’shawa, about 30 minutes from Chipata town. During our stay in the village, the 2 youth volunteers carried out research on nutrition by asking households in the area about nutritional issues including farming practices, sources of income and whether households had access to water. The findings proved very interesting and a presentation on the findings will be carried out at the end of the month. It was great to be in Mgwazo and it was lovely to be welcomed so warmly by the Mgwazo Anti AIDS club and its committee members. I knew Zambians were welcoming, but when you are greeted by dancing, clapping and singing you realise how welcoming Zambians really are and it was touching to receive such a warm welcome on such a cold morning!
We’ve also been busy with project proposal writing, fundraising training and I’m glad to report that our efforts in receiving computers has finally been fulfilled! Last weekend the Chairperson of the Nutrition Group went to receive 2 computers from Lusaka (supplied by VSO) and managed to transport them all the way to the office (7 hours) by bus. The journey was definitely worth it, as now my colleagues have access to computers, so finally it feels like the organisation is on the move.
Next month will also be busy with workshops for traditional leaders, rural teachers and the Nutrition Group care givers after a small grant was awarded to the Group to carryout Nutrition, Food security and HIV/AIDS training to community leaders. The planning starts this week and with all the logistics and content to organise, I can imagine it will be a busy time for the Nutrition Group members!
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