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, 12 July 2010

A sad day in Chipata


When a recognizable voice calls you up at an expected hour to say that we ‘have a funeral’, no one can ever prepare you for such shocking news, even if funerals sadly become a way of life here in Chipata. However when the news is concerning the sudden death of someone you know and someone you have been working closely with, it becomes even more difficult to take it all in. I’m referring to the news I received yesterday from my counterpart at Dzithandizeni Nutrition Group who was informing me of the death of my colleague and friend Mrs Banda who sadly passed away on Sunday from a battle with malaria. She leaves children, a devoted husband and lots of friends, relatives and colleagues who will miss her sadly.

I first met Mrs Banda when she collected me from my in country induction in Lusaka back in October last year when I was a very new volunteer (5 days in Zambia to be precise). I was very nervous about the whole prospect of volunteering but as soon as I met Mrs Banda the nerves quickly disappeared. I remember her warm smile and big hug as she greeted me and chatted endlessly about how excited the Nutrition Group staff members were at finally receiving a volunteer (they had waited 3 years). When I arrived in Chipata she was my tour guide, my aunt, my language teacher, my counterpart and my advisor (I was supposed to be advising her), but in the end I learnt more from her about life and work in Zambia, than I’m sure she ever did from me. She shared stories of Zambian culture and food. She invited me and fellow VSO volunteers to ‘kitchen parties’, she taught me things like how to make cassava fritters and which tailor and hairdresser to use in town – all the important things!

Following a VSO funded workshop 2 weeks ago on Saturday, she was complaining of a headache and was admitted to hospital. Tests confirmed it was malaria and despite numerous attempts to save her life she sadly passed away yesterday. She will be sadly missed by everyone that knew her and I will dedicate this blog entry and in fact the rest of my work at the Nutrition Group to her, Mrs Barabara K Banda…
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