Why did you decide to volunteer with A Broader View in Zambia?
LauraLee: I chose A Boarder view because unlike most programs, you don't have to be anyone special to make a difference. You don't have to have a fancy degree or be an expert child care giver. You just have to be open, flexible and willing to help. A Broader View has so many programs to chose from, and they make it easy for you to have a life changing experience.
What was your typical morning like?
LauraLee: Every morning she would wake up to lively house hold filled with host family members, and other volunteers. All together everyone would operate just like any family. Light conversation, few laughs, and oatmeal and sugar placed on the stove for breakfast right before everyone started the day.
There was never any pressure to be out the door on time. Most days, everyone was on time. However, if a little extra time was spent at home it was never an issue, a later bus could always be caught. Buses (Vans rather) do not typically run on a schedule, and for additional cost a taxi was always be provided.
At first the transportation was intimidating for LauraLee. The vehicles are not always marked as "Bus" or "Taxi," but she learn the ropes quickly. The operators of the vehicles did try to take advantage by charging extra, or dropping her at not the exact location agreed. This was her biggest obstacle. Luckily, for the next set of volunteers the host Family purchased a van days after she left Zambia.
How did you spend your afternoons?
LauraLee: Three days a week she would spend about 7 hours at Kafwa learning center. The school is in a much different area than where LauraLee stayed. The community was curious about her, many of the children would follow her for blocks and giggle when she was turn to them. She felt like a celebrity the entire trip! The area is very poor, but the people are friendly.
Kawfa is a building shared with other businesses. The area for the center is 2 rooms. There is no electricity, the first room has 15 desks that 2 children can fit in, and a chalk board. The Second room only has a fire pit. It doesn't sound like much, but there is more life, and joy with in those walls than any school LauraLee has ever attended. The Staff and Students welcomed her with songs, and dancing.
They referred to her as "Auntie Laura," from the moment she entered the room. That title is exactly how she felt from day one. LauraLee taught lessons out of old books to 30 children ranging from 7-17. The Staff coached her at first, but gave her the opportunity to take reins over the classroom often. She would give treats for the kids everyday, whether it was necklaces, tooth brushes, snacks or stickers the children appreciated everything more than she ever could have imagined.
Two days a week LauraLee also volunteered at House Of Moses for 9 hours a day. The volunteer work was more labor intensive than she expected. She spent her days with the 1-2 year olds. The babies were fed 4 times, changed 3 times, and lots of play time! Learning the routine of House of Moses was more trial and error than given directions.
She comforted a baby on their first day at House of Moses, and saw some of the other babies go back to their families or go to new families. She played with them, held them and wiped some tears. House of Moses let LauraLee come and go as she pleased. Some days she would stop in after Kafwa and rock some of the children to sleep at nap time. The babies loved attention, and wanted to learn to walk and talk and play games.
Describe a typical evening.
LauraLee: In the evenings LauraLee was free to do whatever she like. Her Host family showed her the area and how to get around. Some nights she would go out to" Arcades " a shopping center, and have dinner or go shopping or use the internet. Most nights she spent at home.
She would help with chores, watch tv or bathe, Dinner was served at 8pm everyone ate as a family with their hands in the living room. After dinner the Family would converse about pretty much any and every thing. LauraLee learned a lot from her Host Family, they were very open and accepting of her.
Tell me about the highlights of your trip.
LauraLee: LauraLee's was invited by a Host Family member to join him in a meeting with the Commander of a prison. If another relative is unable to care for a child under the age of four, the child goes to prison with the mother. She met 14 mothers and their children. Some women were mothers of babies under a month old, some mothers were HIV positive and could not breast feed their babies.
One Mother pleaded with LauraLee to take her child, because in the mothers eyes she was "useless." Even though the children had rashes, only four changes of clothing, no cribs, no toys, all the mothers asked for was formula, baby food and laundry soap. Later that week, LauraLee went back with a some supplies for them. One weekend LauraLee traveled to Livingstone by bus.
She stayed in a hotel for two nights and enjoyed sight seeing at Victoria Falls, and went on a Safari. She was surprised to see that in that area Elephants roam free like deer in The States. She could see Elephants on the side of the roads. She went to a location where she would have been able to spend an hour petting, and taking photos with lions and cheetahs, but she heard them growl and gave up on the idea.
What made this experience unique and special?
LauraLee: I have traveled all over - Turkey, Spain, Greece, Italy, Mexico, Malta, and the Bahamas for pleasure. Yes, seeing all those places and trying all their foods is something I will never forget. I will say I am truly blessed to be able to experience those parts of the world, but no place on earth holds a candle to dusty Zambia, Africa. There's nothing like giving a small token like a piece of bread or 25 cent necklace to a child that treats that item like its Christmas morning. It makes you stop, and think, and reevaluate your whole thought process on how you live your life. Things just don't seem as important as they once were.
How has this experience impacted your future?
LauraLee: Since I've been home, I have been promoting the things I've learned in Zambia to build awareness. My employer has made donations to some of the organizations I've worked with. I've collected 12 computers to help sponsor a computer lab for Kafwa. I've held fundraisers to help pay for shipping supplies for the children in prison. Traveling to your destination is only the beginning. The hard work starts when you get home.