New Home?

Since my return from Tanzania in 2021, I have been playing more and more with the idea of going to Africa and staying there for a longer period of time. However, I didn't know which country. Something pushed me to Zambia. My grandmother gave me a Zambia tour guide for Christmas 2020 because I thought this was the country that would completely conquer my heart and I could imagine walking there. So I planned another volunteer trip with IVHQ and this time to Livingstone, Zambia.

But I shouldn't travel to Zambia alone. Lisa, whom I hardly knew at the time, was infected by my enthusiasm for African countries and one day asked me if she might come with me. I was immediately thrilled by the idea and was happy to be able to discuss the next trip to Africa with someone from my neighborhood.

In July 2022, we embarked on a four-week journey together to Livingstone. Livingstone is the tourist metropolis of Zambia and is located directly near the Victoria Falls. Livingstone is located in Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Namibia. We arrived in the evening and I immediately felt at home. However, I felt from the beginning that this would not be the country where I wanted to sit. This feeling would not leave me the whole stay either.

We came into our room and were both a little overburdened with the new situation. Lisa, the first time so far away from home and in Africa and I compared everything to Tanzania and Arusha. Livingstone is very western and a small town. Until now, I have always been in bigger cities, where something was going on and where the “African life” I knew was taking place. I missed that right away. We gave ourselves a week of adjustment time to decide if we wanted to stay or travel the country. Of course, we stayed and learned something new every day. We gave the whole thing a chance and I'm so happy about it.

What we did the next day was never on my bucket list, but I'm extremely happy that we were able to see it. The day after our arrival we visited the Victoria Falls. The Victoria Falls are the widest waterfalls in the world and are located between Zambia and Zimbabwe. In October, the waterfalls are dry because there is no more water flowing. In the local language, the waterfalls are called "Mosi-oa-Tunya" (smoke of thunder) or "Shungu Namutitiam" (Brodelndes Wasser). On the side of Zambia is the famous "Devils Pool". This is a natural pool on the edge of the cases from which it goes down candlestick. However, as there was not so much water in the cases, it went for us to the “Angel pool”. Fortunately, because unlike the Devils pool, there is still a stone here before it goes down loudly. Puh, that was a challenge for me, especially because of my size, because I was lying right on that stone.

How does it all go: you lie on your belly on a stone in cold water and a guide stands behind you holding you to your ankles. So, actually, your life depends on the stranger holding your feet right now. Great! Then photo shooting is needed, and it will last forever. All I thought was, “Please hold on to me, I want to see more of Zambia!” Yeah, we needed this adrenaline kick for the start of this trip.

The project in Zambia has been the best I have ever been able to participate in. We were accommodated in a school and were really allowed to deal with it and bring our ideas. We jumped from class to class and supported where we were needed. Finally, the teachers also taught us how to cook “Nshima” (the famous corn brei).

On one of the weekends, we went with the other volunteers to Botswana to the Chobi National Park. This was also casual for me, as I was able to get to know a new national park again and took a water safari for the first time. We stayed in tents and heard the hyenas and elephants marching around our camp. Then, at the request of the others, we crossed the border to Namibia, halfway through the passport stamp. I've been there before and I knew the country well. The entry, although we were only 20 minutes on Namibian soil, proved to be a new challenge for me, owing to the Covid measures still in place. But I am an absolute lucky man and then allowed to go back in with the support of the others.

In Zambia, I learned to open my mouth and engage in important things. I had three very intense and energetic conversations with Rebecca, the head of the organization. I was the volunteer for everyone: inside and actually managed to make some things change. I told Rebecca my opinion that the organization can only work if it accepts the volunteers and their wishes. For example, for the first two weeks we were a group of seven people. It was mega and we understood each other extremely well. In the last two weeks we were 14 people at once. Rebecca wanted us all to talk to each other and get in touch, we all needed some time to do that. What was their solution? From a long table table, to design small table groups with six chairs. We came and started eating. Soon, however, the problem arose that one person no longer had room. I stormed into the office and asked Rebecca to put the tables back up. She said we should try it for a few days and then it's okay for her to change it again. I didn't allow myself to do that, and then I got her permission to make a table again.

When we flew off, she pressed me very tightly and thanked me for addressing the things that allowed her to develop her organization further. I was once again amazed at my strength and realized that I can handle everything. Sometimes I just need a little courage.