It was the fourth day in Zambia and still a bit jet lagged we lunged out of our beds because we knew that we had a huge day ahead of us! Today was very special due to it being the day that we spend with one of the Zambians.

We each met our Chipembele conservation club host for the day who all had excited smiles on their faces. My day was spent with Presence, who was my guide into his daily life. Most of us hadn’t been in school for quite some time since we finished so it was a little intimidating to begin with. However, for me I was eased into the school day with English class, which I must have to say I did quite well in! Math was a different story though. The lesson was on quadratic functions and I came out more confused than I was going in, however Presence was very helpful in assisting me with the work.

During Recess Presence showed me around the school, introducing me to all his friends and classmates as well as buying some delicious popcorn at the school’s canteen (food being sold under a tree) for us to share. Our next subject was history and the topic was WW2. This was strange for me due to the teacher never actually arriving to class. Presence informed me that in some classes teachers won’t arrive to lessons due to the lesson being dedicated to the students doing readings. However, as an Australian it was quite a peculiar experience. The pop quiz in Biology was slightly overwhelming but I pulled through with great results (or at least that’s what the teacher told me).

By one o’clock in the afternoon school was finished and Presence and I began our walk home via his mum’s shop and I was able to meet her and she gave me the pleasure of showing me some of the amazing fresh fruits and vegetables that are found and grown in Zambia. When I arrived at Presence’s house I was greeted by many small children who were all saying hello and testing their English on me. These were Presence’s younger brothers and sisters.

As our bellies simultaneously rumbled, Presence and I knew it was time for lunch and cooking classes were started. For lunch we were cooking a local Zambian classic, I learnt the small techniques and details on how to cut the spinach and slowly add the nshima to the boiling water. After thirty minutes of cooking we relaxed eating the delicious meal we prepared together. Talking about funny stories from Zambia and Australia, creating bonds that will last a lifetime.

Dylan (MATZ Member)