Back to Mwange

In Mwange, I was met with a lot of work. There had not been a Project Manager in Mwange for about a month at the time I arrived because at the beginning of May, my fellow Mwange Project Manager decided to go home. Consequently, there was a lot to catch up on!

Although I was gone for almost three months, not much seemed to have changed in Mwange. Everyone was still yelling and complaining about the same things in the meetings that UNHCR has with the refugee representatives. The children are still incredibly impressive as little adults, with 6-year-olds acting as little women with water jugs on their heads and their baby sibling strapped to their backs. Our FORGE refugee staff members are still amazing at rallying the community together and teaching them about important repatriation, health and education issues. And, I’m still the white girl with blond hair that must be rich! But, it is nice to be in a place where I know how things work and people know me, even if they still call me “MZUNGU!!”

I have also really enjoyed moving into my mud brick house and making it feel like home. The Kalabwe village where I live now is a great place and I am very happy to have moved there. I only wish I had more time to spend with the headman and his family. They are the most generous people I have ever met and they work so hard and care so much about making me feel comfortable. It’s funny to be 23 and have people lecturing me to make sure I take a bath and clean my room and eat everything on my plate:) I will miss their family very much.

xoxo