My First Month in Zambia: Learning, Leading & Growing

By Marjory Chisanga Ndawo | April 2025

 

🧭 Introduction

April marked the beginning of a journey that’s already been full of learning, meaningful connections, and community impact. I joined a youth-centered project in Zambia, and this first month has opened my eyes to the real needs and strengths of rural communities — especially when it comes to health, education, and creative empowerment.

🌱 Starting Out: My First Impressions

The project touches on so many important areas — from mental health to menstrual hygiene, from poetry and drama to leadership and life skills. One of my first big experiences was leading a group of youth in TB testing, where I made sure to go first to encourage participation.

Caption: A group session where we talked about personal hygiene, health, and empowerment.

👥 Building Connections with the Community

I immediately felt included and valued — both by the project team and the community. Everyone is open to ideas and feedback, and I’ve loved working with a mix of experienced professionals and newcomers. This diversity has helped me grow quickly and learn from different approaches.

Caption: Teaching the process of making reusable sanitary pads — a skill that’s both empowering and practical.

💼 A Flexible and Productive Work Style

The project structure has been refreshing — with enough organization to stay on track, but also flexibility that allows us to manage our own time and energy. This balance has helped me stay productive without feeling burnt out.

✨ What I’ve Contributed

Here are a few of the things I’ve been actively involved in this month:

• Hygiene and menstrual health workshops
• Teaching pad-making techniques
• Speaking on family planning and Danish culture at NORTEC College
• Running a motivation and life skills session at Insakwe Child Approved Centre
• Talking to youth about how to use social media to share their talents

Caption: Collaborating with fellow community members and educators — sharing insights, learning from each other.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Caption: After an engaging session with students at NORTEC College on lifestyle, planning, and possibilities.

🌦️ Challenges Along the Way

Of course, not everything has gone smoothly. Some of the hurdles included:

• Youth club time management struggles
• Rainfall interrupting outdoor activities
• Long walks and tough roads in Kawama

Despite these, each obstacle has helped me become more patient, resilient, and solution-focused.

🌀 Adapting and Growing

I’ve adjusted by introducing better time management strategies, staying flexible when the weather disrupts plans, and learning to enjoy the journey (even when it’s a bit muddy!). These lessons have helped me connect more deeply with the work and with the people we serve.

🧡 Final Reflections

This first month has already left a lasting impact on me. The smiles, the challenges, the conversations — they’ve all reminded me why I’m here. I’m proud of what I’ve contributed, and even more excited for what’s ahead.

Thank you for reading and following along on this journey. More stories to come!