My reflections so far...

I am grateful that the students have allowed me to blog tonight.  While their highs have come from their new experiences, challenges and relationship building, mine have come from watching them flourish this week. They have all grown in some way or another during their time here.  Learning a new skill, stepping outside of their comfort zone, missing home and leaving behind, for a while, the digital world.     

Will it seems is a natural born leader. He had an immediate rapport with the children from the very first break time games activity and his calm and kind guidance with them would impress the most experienced of teachers.  He led ‘What’s the time Mr Wolf’ and instantly had children on both hands, following his lead and enjoying themselves immensely.

Hannah C has shown herself to be a gentle and sensitive young women this week.  That said she has found a whole new talent with a hammer!  She was brilliant with the carpenter and made a great sieve.  While not the most vocal in the group she has given her all in every task and has pondered what she has seen and experienced, especially with the children who have warmed to her very much indeed. 

Olivia has been a great sport this week.  She has found a new appreciation of practical skills that people need here to survive.  From cleaning to carpentry she has tried hard to improve her practical skills and was even told she could be a Zambian wife if she had some help around the house!  She also represented us brilliantly at the teacher farewell on Friday at Greater Joy where she gave a lovely thank you speech – back in her comfort zone a little after the practical chores! 

Hannah S has had an interesting journey I think.  I know she has waited many years to come on this trip and has not wasted a minute.  She was great on the ‘family shopping trip’ to the supermarket and was able to even hunt down tin foil to wrap up the pack lunches!  She has engaged really well the Zambian people we have met and has been impressive in her confidence to talk and question people about many things including her Zambian peers about university choices and even environmental engineering!

Kalum I think has had a very profound trip.  He was excellent on Sports day at motivating his children and pulling them together as a team but more than that he has shared his thoughts on his own education, the way no opportunity is missed here, and perhaps how we take our opportunities for granted in the UK.  He has shown a kind and generous spirit, always willing to serve and put others before himself.

Chloe F was amazing today!  We joined the praise team from the church and they taught us a Bemba song to sing in church to the congregation tomorrow.  While all the students gave this 100%  Chloe stepped up to be the lead vocalist and has been brilliant in leading the singing and the rehearsals this evening.  Outside of her comfort zone she gained confidence with every practice and I can’t wait for her to shine tomorrow morning.

Chloe B has fallen in love with Zambia.  In fact the locals say she is a Zambian already.  Her love of nature, pace of life and willingness to work hard on any task put before her has been wonderful to watch.   She has thought deeply about issues around development and globalisation and made many profound comments in our evening reflections.

Liberty has excelled herself many times this week but I was most struck by her initiative and ability to problem solve.  One such time was in the money exchange when she took control for the group and organised the different currency and exchange rates for the team when it was not as straight forward as one might imagine.  She has missed home this week but never allowed this to prevent her making the most of this trip.

Natasha has been pensive at times this week and tonight her thoughts came out in a visual way.  This afternoon, the pupils were given the task in groups to go to the market and spend 10 Kwacha (£1) on something that represented Zambia and their time here.  While all the students bought interesting products, Natasha went to the tailor and the carpenter to have a Zambian flag made and could explain the significance of all the colours.  Their group also bought a string of beads and explained how each colour represented an emotion they had had at some point during their time here.  We were all moved.

And so you see I have many reasons to be proud of this wonderful group of young people.  They have embraced their time here so far and been willing to challenge themselves physically, mentally and emotionally but at the same time shown a great team spirit, supporting each other and above all having a great deal of fun.  Thank you for letting me part of your journey!

Mrs Hodges