Here I sit, roughly 24 hours before my flight leaves to take me to Zambia. The total travel time to get to Zambia will be almost 24 hours. I’m nervous, excited, prepared, unprepared, scared, anticipating and ready all at the same time. Our team of 4 has been preparing and meeting for this trip for approximately 8 weeks and we have been briefed on what to expect, how to act, what to do and what not to do.
Our meetings have focused on poverty; its causes, solutions, misconceptions about it and our role in dealing with it. I’ve realized that we’ve been conditioned to believe that we need to give money to poor people to make their lives better. Is this always the right answer? Does throwing money at a problem make it disappear? History shows us that this is not the best solution. Perhaps a better alternative is to develop relationships with people who are in need. Talk to them and learn what their needs really are. The Zambia Partnership that we are working with is trying to do just this. Our goal is a long-term relationship to develop methods of allowing the Zambian people to be self-sufficient and able to use their own gifts and skills to increase their quality of life.
It’s been eye-opening for me to realize that this journey will be more about developing relationships with the people than building a school.
I’ll try and post one more time before I leave, but if I don’t get the chance, I’ll talk to you again in three weeks.
have fun! be safe!