As I was preparing for my trip to Africa, I was excited to focus on having an open mind and heart so I could have an experience that was unique and personal to me. This trip was truly a trip of a lifetime and the feelings and emotions were as big in range as the Chobe National Preserve. I journaled during my time working at Hope School, so when I was asked to write an entry for the Preschool with a Purpose Blog, I was excited to share my experiences as I had them each day.
Day 1: History of Ndola & Welcome Ceremony
Day 2: Teaching in Preschool Classrooms & Reading Partners
Day 3: Market, Teaching in Preschool Classrooms, Reading Partners
We started the morning freshening up our Bemba skills with Charles Mumba because we were going to be heading to the market to buy the ingredients that Hope House Orphanage would use to cook our dinner on Thursday evening. My group had to buy cabbage, onions, carpenta (small fish), and eggs. We had a teacher with us to help us translate and do the negotiating. The word for how much is “Nshinga?” and to ask to see if you say “moneco.” We had our U.S. Dollars exchanged for Kwacha so we were able to purchase our food items in local currency. The exchange rate was 1 Kwacha to 0.077 U.S. Dollars.
Day 4: Home Visit, Teaching in Preschool Classroom, Goodbye Ceremony, Library Opening Celebration, Reading Partners
Reflecting on my trip to Hope School, one word comes to mind: Inspired. Working side by side with preschool teachers and witnessing their innate ability to express joy and compassion as they confidently led their students is something you could only truly understand and feel by seeing first-hand. In joining the teachers at Hope School, a reciprocal partnership has blossomed. This opportunity has allowed the teachers at LPP and Hope to incorporate aspects from each respective teaching style into our day-to-day routines, even including daily songs! I could not be more eager to continue to learn from one another. I will forever be grateful for my experience at Hope School and feel like I have a second home and family in Zambia.
Kelly Dicken – July 2019
