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

And so I’m back to diary-style blogging…thanks, but no thanks, to the unreliable internet connection here in Mazabuka.:P

Anyway, this was how my 14th month in Zambia went:

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

7th June: Independence Day Celebration in Lusaka

This is the second straight year that I have celebrated the Philippine Independence Day outside of my country. Last year, the festivities were hosted by the Filipino community in Kitwe. This year, the gathering was held in Lusaka.

True to form, the celebration had all the ingredients of a Filipino feast—traditional dances (interspersed with crazy, humorous ones), all-out videoke jamming, wacky parlor games, flowing beer, various native dishes, Pinoy jokes, and even a celebration of the Holy Mass the day after. Kumpletos recados, as they would say.

You can take the Filipino out of the Philippines, but you can’t take the Philippines out of the Filipino.

11th June: Tragedy

Today is probably one of the coldest days in Mazabuka in 2008 thus far, at 14 degrees Celsius during mid-day.

It just got colder as I read about the tragedy that has befallen the family of my former director and dear friend, OJ.

What sort of animals would hogtie, stab, and commit arson on elderly people and a 3-year old child? In fact, what sort of sane person would think of doing that to any human being?

I’m still going about my tasks for the day—attending meetings and rushing reports. But deep down, I feel frozen to the core.

And no, it’s not because of the winter breeze in Mazabuka.

13th June: A Wedding and A Funeral

Another one of the Council’s men have fallen down. The remains of M, the former driver of the Town Clerk has been laid to rest today. I really appreciated this guy. He was a hardworking and gentle man. And yet, for months now, he has been very, very sick. Of what? “Only the doctor knows,” some people would say. But of course everyone knows what the culprit is—a.k.a. “that disease that no one here dares to name” (hence, I call it “The Lord Voldemort” of diseases). Ahh, AIDS…how many more lives will you claim?

Back in RP, however, there is happier news. AnJan has really, irrevocably taken the plunge! I’m soooo happy for them. I regret not being able to attend their Big Day though. Aside from the fact that I adore the couple, their wedding—from the proposal, to the invites, to the details of the preparation, to the actual nuptials—seems to be one of the coolest, most creative, and most joyous ones that was ever celebrated in recent years.

Congratulations and best wishes to AnJan! May your married life be as beautiful and grace-filled as your wedding day!

19th June: The Celtics are Champs once more!

Hurray for the Boston Celtics—the first team that I ever rooted for in the NBA! I remember myself as an innocent (and a bit odd) grade schooler in the mid-1980s who preferred spending Saturday afternoons watching NBA highlights in GMA (courtesy of “The Dean” Quinito Henson) to playing piko or Chinese garter with kids in our neighbourhood. In particular, I would be religiously watching the games involving the Boston Celtics and the LA Lakers. I have always loved a good rivalry, especially when the flag bearers of the teams are as classy as Larry Bird (Celtics #33) and Magic Johnson (Lakers #32).

However, while I admired Magic, I was a huge fan of Larry Bird and his Celtics. Bird’s work ethic and team play, more than anything else, impressed my young basketball junkie self. I recall even being thrilled when, in school, I would be assigned “Class No. 33” (i.e., the 33rd student in my section)—to represent Bird’s jersey number. Truth be told, though, I was really hoping to be assigned ”Class No. 44”, akin to my PBA Idol Jerry Codinera’s number. Harhar. That, however, was a bit far-fetched, since our class size was not that big anyway. Tough luck.:)

Fast-forward to 2008. It was quite nostalgic learning that the Lakers and the Celtics were facing off again after such a long time. I haven’t been religiously following the NBA these past years (especially this last year that I’ve spent in Africa), but I felt instantly drawn to this championship series that was bound to be a classic. The cast was different from two decades ago, of course. The feel of the game was different too. This time, it was Pierce and Kevin Garnett’s team versus Kobe Bryant’s five. (Actually, from accounts of the game, it was the entire Boston team versus Kobe. Period.) Yet, there was still that same air of excitement and a sense of being part of something big, something phenomenal.

And in the end, after a looong title drought, the Celtics are back as NBA champs, proving that team play is still more valuable than a series of blockbuster performances from one supremely talented player.

Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and the great Celtics of the past must be very, very proud.:)

23rd June: Something to Look Forward To

It’s been crazy hectic again at work these past few weeks. It’s only the first day of the week today, yet I feel very tired already from trying to put in order several projects in record time.

The good thing though is that I am rushing things for a reason. On Thursday, I will be heading for South Africa for a brief holiday with my US-based aunts who are visiting their friend in that part of this continent. So yeah, it would really be a welcome break from the toil and moil of Mazabuka. Indeed, it is something worth looking forward to and beating deadlines for.

And when I come back to Mazabuka six days after, there will be another big thing to be happy about…the beginning of UAAP Season 71! Can’t hardly wait!!!

The month of May in a nutshell:

Looong hours spent working on the 3 Rs (research, reports, and resource mobilisation proposals). Non-existent weekends. Short notices and “surprise” official visits & work sessions. Water crisis gone extreme. Lack of restful sleep. Dreams (nightmares?) involving “logical frameworks” and project designs. Conflict-ridden meetings and mini-battles with corruption. Work, work and more work.

It was a merry month, indeed!