Another bus, nos 53 to Trafford

Two other AfID volunteers (Heather and Ian) are living to the south of Kitwe. I’m working with Heather to encourage CHEP, which is the largest NGO in the area to sub-grant funds to her charity. Early success as Mr Mumba (Isaac), CHEP Programme Officer, has asked to look at a funding proposal from Heather’s organisation, Friends of Street Children (FOSC), which works at getting OVC’s (orphans and vulnerable children) off the streets begging, thieving and selling themselves. A very worthwhile cause.

I was invited by the lay preacher of FOSC, to attend Church, so I thought it would be interesting and different. Boy, was it. They all sing, clap and sway to the upbeat hymns. Not big style Hallelujah chorus, but I know I don’t have any rhythm, that’s for sure. However a colourful and inspiring hour.

Then taken for a drive around the townships adjoining the copper mines. Whilst price of copper is rocketing, the only people getting rich are the mine owners. No proper roads, running water or regular electricity. Exacerbated poverty by poor pay and conditions. Begs lots of questions, but I’m not going to get political.

Staple food is millett. Zambians crave it, talk passionately how wonderful it is. As for me I think it’s pretty dull and unappetising. They boil all the liquid out of the millett, then stir and mash for ages until it becomes a thick mass. They roll it into oval shaped balls, and serve it with a sauce, meat or veg. Sounds appealing?

Isaac invited Heather, Ian and myself up country to visit a HIV support group in Chililabombwe. We were introduced to a group of HIV positive people who have supported each other, who have grown to be a support network for hundreds of other HIV positive persons in the community. We held a Q & A session, where all aspects of their condition was openly discussed. They spoke about how HIV had affected their lives, their families, the benefits of CHEP mentoring, and enlighteningly how a person was no longer stigmatised in the community for being HIV positive.

Franco and Isaac with friends at Reigners In Life

Isaac (CHEP) at Reigners In Life

Well that's it until I post my visit to Kafue National Park, and my photo of a male lion caught on film at night.

Just like buses

Well, after a long delay, I've now done 2 blogs. Naturally, a full working week and even more entertaining weekends, have left little time to catch up with events whilst in Zambia.

Well it’s now nearly 3 weeks since I left Blighty, seems a lot longer. Trip here was fine, and since I left home I haven’t worn a coat, jacket or jumper. Temperatures here in Zambia don’t fall below 20 C, even at night. Locals all wear coats though. This is the rainy season which lasts from November to March normally, but seeing how worldwide floods are going, who knows when they’ll stop.

On changing some currency, I became a millionaire. The currency is the Zambian kwacha, which is pretty worthless, needing over 7,000 to buy a £. Got a kw 50 note in change, fraction of a penny. Will frame it.

On arrival at CHEP, was introduced to everyone there. I’m not very good at remembering names to faces, so I needed to make a list and apply memory aides to match a Zambian name to a big, smiling face.

After an intensive start fact finding and meeting all the different personnel, it’s been a bit quiet these past few days. All the senior managers and finance team went to Lusaka. Apparently they went to meet a current donor, to discuss on-going activities and financials. I’m sure they will all enjoy their break in decent hotel facilities. Oh well, I might as well get stuck into a major revamp of a future Donor’s budget. Time to get my Excel head on, improve the presentation, highlight key financial issues, and do a project cashflow.

There’s challenges, and there’s challenges. Not having internet is bad enough, and the only functioning Accounts printer is locked in FM office. The other day, I wanted to print a copy of a budget. The library had borrowed the FM’s printer cable. So in good faith I asked the librarian to use the printer, he inserted my memory stick into the laptop connected to the printer. On returning to my laptop, I found that a virus had wiped all my documents and music on the flash drive (the laptop didn’t have anti-virus protection). The manager just looked at me, tried to assure me that the files were retrievable. On failing to do so, not surprisingly, he just looked at me with big apologetic brown eyes.

The adventure starts here

Well I've had all the inoculations, sorted out the visa, booked the flight, there's no way back now.

Like all volunteers I'm looking forward to visiting Zambia, getting to know its people and culture, and hoping to be able to help CHEP in some way.

It's taken a couple of conversations with Neil (founder of AfID), to appreciate that I am a small, yet invaluable, step in the on-going sustainability of the project. Whenever I've doubted that I can add something to make the assignment worthwhile, Neil has reinforced my drive and commitment in the run up to the assignment.

Let's go back to the beginning. When I read that there was an organisation that was looking to send accountancy trained people to the least fortunate areas of the world, I was instantly interested.

I've been highly fortunate to have visited many parts of Africa on holiday, and witnessed at first hand the poverty but immense resilience that exists on this continent. For over 25 years I've wanted to do something to help, but as I'm not big and strong, I didn't fancy digging irrigation channels in the midday sun. I always felt that I could do more, and use my specific skills and experiences for a more lasting benefit to the community. Then along comes AfID.

Since I left the profession many moons ago, I've spent many happy years working as a senior finance professional to all sizes of SME's. However on this project, it looks like I'm going to have to go back to my Frank Wood manuals and the basics of accounting, not a bad thing.

By the end of the week, I'll be in Kitwe, via Schipol and the infamous Jomo Kenyatta airport in Nairobi.

I've spoken to Isaac at the CHEP office, who informed me that he would meet me at Ndola airport (apparently it's an International airport, I'll let you know to what standard it is after I pass through). He asked if I was from London. I didn't like to tell him there is a world outside of the capital. When I told him where I lived, he immediately spoke those immortal words "Manchester United", and that most of his male colleagues at CHEP were keen fans. Well that's the weekends sorted for good company and beer.

Now it's time to pack the essentials, try to remember not to forget anything, and wait for the taxi to collect me. Till the next time, when I'll be reporting from sunny Zambia. Shalapo (Goodbye).