Viper Marketing & Communications Group

Zambia: The Final Blog

Author: Jim Hardcastle

Jim has helped organisations and groups communicate more effectively for nearly 20 years. His background in the countryside and rural sectors provide him with a wealth of experience. Fueled by coffee with Post-Its at the ready, he’s here to help .

The most common question we have been asked has been whether Zambia was everything we expected or hoped for?

We expected a challenge and we certainly got one; long hot, dusty days with no shade, noisy night with dogs barking and bats squeaking (yes, they really squeaked all night!) early mornings with weak coffee, awful toilets, small tents, tepid showers and bugs including a close encounter with a scorpion!

What we didn't expect was this; smiling, welcoming warmth of the Zambian people, the delight in the children's faces from a simple pop-up book, our children Tom and Anna to work so incredibly hard both at school and duties back at camp and all of us to be in bed by 8.30pm!

What had we hoped for? We hoped that Tom and Anna would realise how lucky they are living in this western society with all its luxuries. We hoped to inspire some children and give them more opportunities.

What did we find? The classes were 45 children plus, the children's 'hobbies' were washing plates and many had lost parents to Aids, yet they didn't stop smiling, singing and dancing.

We've all decided 'no more boring holidays'. We want to achieve something on our breaks now.

Jim

- Posted on Monday 13 Jul 2009 at 04:55 by Jim Hardcastle

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