No, the aforementioned number does not at all represent my current age.:) Rather, it stands for the number of months I have so far spent living and working in Zambia. And who would have thought that this—my 16th month in Mazabuka—would turn out to be one of the better months of my stay in Zambian soil?

August, surprisingly, has been a good month for me. I say “surprising” because most months have been usually been fraught with frustrations and challenges. And since I live in Mazabuka—the supposed “Sweetest Town in the Nation” due to its thriving sugar industry—let us call my 16th month in Zambian soil “the sweetest month” of my stay here. Largely, the positive experience was brought about by these two main events:

Another Birthday in Mazabuka

Entering into the last week of July, having a “birthday bash” was the farthest thing from my mind since I was quite focused on running a workshop that week. But my housemate Inge insisted that we have a celebration. I agreed, as long as it is kept just within our small circle of friends.

And so it was. On the morning of 1st August, Inge prepared for me a “surprise birthday breakfast”, as she did last year. In true Dutch fashion, I had to stay in bed (or at least inside my room) until my well-wishers came, blow my candles, wear a fancy crown that declares the number of years that I have been inhabiting the Earth, open my presents (one of which was a creatively assembled scrapbook depicting our memories in Africa), and eating a hearty Dutch meal. ‘Twas, indeed, a perfect way to start the 33rd year of my life.

In the ensuing hours, however, I momentarily forgot that it was my birthday as I ran the final day of a workshop on resource mobilisation. We ended a bit late, which got Inge worried that I might not make it in time for my own birthday party.

Somehow, I managed to arrive at our place before the party was in full swing. A few moments later, guests—some of whom I’ve only met that evening—started to arrive. From an expected number of eight or so guests, the party grew to almost twice that number. I think most of the volunteers in Mazabuka (coming from different organisations) were at our place that night! Some of my closest colleagues from work were likewise present. It was interesting that South America and Australia were the only two continents that did not have representation during that occasion.:) “United Colors of Mazabuka,” anyone?

Since the guests were “international,” the cuisine was too. We stuffed ourselves with all sorts of food, including Japanese okonomiyaki (similar to an omelette), African-Asian-style sweet potato curry, Dutch salad, El Salvadorian cheese bread, at least three types of cake and, of course, chicken adobo (which was quite a hit among the guests)! After that, some of us went to Afrikana—one of the few “gimmick” places in our humble town and danced ‘till we dropped.

It was also good timing that my birthday fell on a long weekend (due to the celebration of Farmer’s Day on 4th August). That afforded me an opportunity to visit Lusaka to catch up with friends and take part in another Filipino community get-together (Tita A’s birthday celebration). I was only supposed to stay there overnight, but my friends lured me into seeing the new Batman movie (or should I say, the new “Joker” movie)—and I gave in. At least I am not that out of the loop now. Call it a birthday gift to myself.

“Investing in Ourselves”

One of my placement objectives, as per VSO’s strategic plan, is to build the capacity of sub-district structures and communities in resource mobilisation. That way, they would learn to be less dependent on the local authority and become more equipped to steer their respective communities toward growth and sustainability.

The month of August saw the beginning of this endeavour, starting with the Training of Trainors that was held from 31st July to 1st of August. Teams composed of staff from the Planning and Finance departments thereafter visited communities every week to conduct workshops on the fundamentals of resource mobilisation and financial management. The feedback from both the trainors (i.e., Council staff) and participants (i.e., representatives from Resident and Area Development Committees, market committees, cooperatives, women’s groups, Parents-Teachers Associations, etc.) has been positive so far.

On the part of the staff, it is one of the rare occasions that encouraged personnel from Planning and Finance to work together as one cohesive unit (imagine that!). On the part of the participants, it was an opportunity for them to “help themselves in terms of building knowledge, skills and attitude so that others (potential donors, partners and supporters) would start helping them too.” This, in turn, would enable them to help their respective communities to achieve sustainable development. Hence, the title of the programme, “Investing in Ourselves,” was a most appropriate one.

It was heartening to see how open and motivated a lot of the participants were. Of course, some were cynical and de-motivated at first, but this was understandable, considering that their voices have been muted for so long. A good number of them were, nevertheless, ready to trust and work with the Council again. Not a few said that the workshops empowered them to do something for the community and find new ways of making things work for them.

When I see events like these taking place, I am reminded again of why I am here in Mazabuka. I am here for these people, and not for those high-and-mighty pseudo-overlords who concern themselves too much with allowances and manipulate things for their own personal gain.

~o~o~o~

And so, despite the worsening power and water crises, the rising challenges in internet and mobile phone service provision, the passing away of Zambia’s President that has left the country in a state of grief and confusion, and the everyday struggle to keep the Council afloat, I am here. And I am here to stay until the end of my placement.

~ pol, 08/31/08