Two weekends ago, #ZamFam travelled to Siavonga for our GHC Quarter 1 Workshop. The purpose of this weekend was to reflect on the successes and challenges of our first 3 months, and the central theme was building resilience. If I may create an elaborate metaphor, building resilience is akin to learning choreography. Unless you happen […]
Global Health
A First Time for Everything
Ever since arriving in Zambia, I have experienced a lot of firsts – first time in Zam, first time in Africa, first professional job – but this past weekend Mwansa and I welcomed our first visitor, and it was amazing! Alexis, another ZamFam fellow in Lusaka, dared the 7-hour bus ride to spend the weekend […]
#WhyAllGirls
“I recently asked individuals all over the world to submit a photo that captured #WhyAllGirls matter to them, and the response has been overwhelming. From the United States to Guatemala, to Rwanda to Germany, people all over the world believe that all girls are important and deserve equality.” Read more here. See all of the photos […]
The Road MOST Travelled
On the second weekend of September, I bused 7 hours from Kitwe to Lusaka and 7 hours back from Lusaka to Kitwe for a ZamFam bonding at Lilayi Lodge. On the third weekend of September, I bused 15 hours from Kitwe to Livingstone and 13 hours back from Livingstone to Kitwe to take a dip […]
Mental Illness Is Not A Costume
I am NOT my mental illness, and my mental illness is NOT your costume. Thank you to my amazing mentor/role model/big sister/and everything in between, Kate Kryder, for writing such an important post just in time for Mental Health Awareness Week from October 11-17th. Learn more about the work she does and her campaign here: […]
The Three Little Ellies
Rescue, rehabilitation, and release are the three main objectives of the Elephant Orphanage Project (EOP) sponsored by Game Rangers International (GRI) in Zambia. The EOP is a nursery for abandoned elephant calves that have fallen victim to poaching, human conflict, or environmental factors. Here they are cared for 24/7 by trained Keepers and fed milk […]
Single and NOT Ready to Mingle [with Sexist, Objectifying Men]
Ever since I could listen, my mom has told me that I am independent and can be the rightful bread winner of my home. Though she grew up in a country with a prevalent gender gap, I was raised to believe that women and men are created equal and can both do anything. In college […]
The Copperbelt Health Education Project (CHEP)
I was accepted to Global Health Corps on May 6th and asked to make a decision by May 11th. After the initial shock and excitement wore off, low thoughts began sinking in. Was I accepted so late because I was an alternate? Did I really have what it takes? Should I actually do GHC? Now […]
Bent But Not Broken
On Day 2 of GHC Training, Dr. Noerine Kaleeba, the patron and founder of TASO Uganda, shared an inspiring talk on resilience in health and development. I etched her phrase, “Bent But Not Broken” into my notebook thinking it would be relevant one day, not realizing just how true it would become for me. These […]
The Digital Age
I officially have 3 phones, so I think that makes me almost Zambian. Here there are 3 major phone lines – Airtel, MTN, Zamtel – and most people have a sim card from each company. I only have Airtel and MTN so I’m a little behind, but I’m not even sure I could keep up […]