One of the big turning points for me during the trip and during the work on the mural specifically was a moment and conversation that I got to experience and live through. A moment that opened my eyes.

It was I think my second day on the mural and my first day working with young and passionate painter by the name of David who lived in Mfuwe. I had been paired with him so that I could assist him in painting some of the finer lines. Definitely assisting as my confidence with a paintbrush was lacking but that was quickly fixed as David was as good a painter as he was a teacher.

We were soon approached by an older man that David introduced to be one of his artist friends. He was anxious to help out, to put his mark on the mural. While unsure of his skill level I was cautious to let him help with such a fine task but after asking, David swiftly handed him a brush. As David and I stood back and watched this man paint a single near perfect line, that bordered one of the coloured sections at the bottom of the mural he spoke words that I felt opened a door in my head.

“I just want to paint one line, one line on this mural, put my mark so that in years to come I can bring my children hear and say that that line right there, I painted that, I helped paint this mural”

The pride in this man’s voice, how grateful he was that he could have been a part of this amazing project was what I think was one of the main goals of the mural all along. If we could create something that the people who would see it every day, could say that they were a part of it, then it would never be lost to time….never be forgotten about. The mural played a much bigger part in the campaign and had a much bigger effect than I ever thought it could.

It also gave me great pride to work with such amazing people, Zambian and Australian alike on such an incredible piece of conservation.

Paul (MATZ Member)