Time in and out of Lusaka

An interesting and enjoyable few days in Lusaka, which is something I had not experienced much in the past as Lusaka cannot really be described as a pleasant city; more functional instead. On the work front I was there to help support the VSO Zambia programme office carry out reviews of some of its HIV and AIDS partner organisations. It was interesting to sit on the other side of the fence and to question partners about their work, the support that VSO has provided, what changes and impacts this support has had, and understand how VSO can help in the future. From a Mazabuka perspective the most important meeting was the session with people at the national office of NZP+ (the Network of Zambian People living with HIV and AIDS). There is a district level NZP+ in Mazabuka, yet for a variety of reasons the organisation is struggling to operate and therefore support the people most in need of help. It should be leading the fight against HIV yet at the moment the office is closed and staff hard to reach. I hope that through working with the national organisation we can sort out our local problems and restart the office here.

It was happily a very sociable week in Lusaka. I went to the cinema with some friends for the first time in a year and saw some crazy, silly animated film called Rango; very enjoyable and we laughed non-stop. The rest of the time was spent catching up with the Lusaka volunteers and hearing about others’ ups and downs. Being the last day of the month I was also able to visit the Dutch market – a touristy, pretty up market, market held at the Dutch Reformed Church in Lusaka. Aside from selling lots of tourist items (rugs, paintings, wooden objects, jewellery etc.), the food to buy and take away there is very tasty. Sadly we got there too late to pick up some of the quiches but in time to buy some millionaire shortbread to feed my sweet tooth.  It is also very much a place to bump into lots of familiar faces and then it was back on the bus to Maz.