Rather than moving ahead in a strictly linear fashion, this may be a good point to step back and provide some additional details on experiences thus far.
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| Scene from Petauke near sunset |
The Journey to Petauke…
Through good fortune, another VSO volunteer, Ity from the Netherlands, is also on a short-term assignment in Petauke with the District Council. Thus, we’ve had an opportunity to provide mutual support, and are slated to be housemates. She is unfailingly cheerful, engaging and positive, which furnishes a nice counterpoint to my more reserved demeanor. As previously noted, our scheduled departure from Lusaka after completing the in-country induction and training was somewhat delayed, and Ity, driver (and District Council Mechanic) Mr. Tembo, and I finally left the city behind about 2:30 p.m. in a truck crammed with our gear, along with a new refrigerator for the house and other items. We soon entered a more pastoral landscape. One surprise was that in the countryside almost everywhere was either recently burned or burning, apparently to clear surface vegetation prior to inception of the rainy season and regrowth of the ground cover. An unfortunate result of this was somewhat impaired visibility of the increasingly impressive scenery as we entered more varied topography and finally dipped into the Luangwa River Valley. Crossing the river, we finally made our way into the Eastern Province.
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| Ity with our gear on the road to Petauke |
As we continued east, the sun dipped below the horizon, and we arrived in Petauke safe and sound Saturday night. Because of the evening hour and not having a key to our house (or knowing exactly where it was), we checked into the Nyika Motel, which is located along the road into town from the Great East Road.
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| Nyika Motel |
Sunday morning, Mr. Tembo arrived early to enable our gear and furnishings to be unloaded (with generous help from several local folks and a number of curious neighbor children looking on), so we could move into…
The House…
Our house is located among several others next to the Nyika Motel, about 3.5 kilometers from town. Just as we were starting to unpack our things, Jovax Ngoma, the acting Deputy Council Secretary, arrived to greet us, introduce himself and let us know that work still needed to be done on the house before we should occupy it. Thus, our stuff (less the refrigerator) was hauled back to the motel, which remains our temporary home until the finishing touches are completed on the house. The Petauke District Council owns the Nyika Motel, as well as the nearby houses where our accommodations are located. (Ours is the house with the fresh exterior paint!) Later Sunday, we walked from the motel into town and to the Petauke District Council offices. Our initial impression is that Petauke seems to be a pleasant place. Transportation will pose some challenge, as the house is a good 45-minute walk from the offices, rather the 15-20 minutes indicated in the placement outline, and one becomes fairly drenched in sweat on such a journey this time of the year. At least initially, we will be provided with a ride to and from work, and Monday morning, we were ready to begin…
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| Curious young neighbors |
The Job…
Monday morning, we arrived at the District Council offices, and were warmly greeted by everyone we met from the building entrance to around the offices, with Jovax Ngoma providing introductions and guiding us around the facility. Our staff counterparts from the prior Friday workshop in Lusaka were continuing to wrap up some other business there. My desk is located in the Works Department, although I’ll be working primarily with staff from the District Planning Unit, as well as the Works Department. Tuesday, we sat in on a workshop concerning the budget and involving about 20 to 25 members of the public representing various groups, as well several staff members. While scheduled to conclude by 12:30 p.m., it continued well into the afternoon.
The Field Trip…
With Works Director Betram Daka, supported by capable driver Wilson and helpful Security representative Simon, we set off on my third day on the job for more remote parts of the Petauke District. Turning south from the Great East Road just west of the Petauke turn-off, we made our way generally south on an unpaved road that ranged in quality from fair to downright bone-crunching. Over this very large area, one cannot help being struck by the truly rural nature of the district. Along the order of 90% of the district’s population resides in village settlements of varying sizes, with small scale agriculture (including crops and livestock) the predominant activity. At one point we were within about 10 kilometers of the Mozambique border as the crow flies, but not near a border crossing.
We stopped at two schools, where Mr. Daka carefully inspected projects under way. About half of Zambia’s population is 15 or under. Please note Mr. Daka’s dedication in scaling a roof where work is in progress to complete his observations. He was much braver than me!
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| Mr. Daka at work |
We then trooped on to an innovative pedestrian bridge under construction that will allow a community to remain connected as waters rise during the rainy season. Five such suspension bridges are being built in Zambia.
Independence Day…
October 24 is the Republic of Zambia’s Independence Day, and a time of festiveness and celebration. Events occurred here Saturday evening and extended throughout the day Sunday, with a Monday holiday because the 24th falls on the weekend. My sense is that despite all of the challenges faced, Zambians highly value and take great pride in their independence, freedoms, and largely harmonious society.
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| Independence Day celebrations |
Glad to read your word, I was in Petauke when 2010, we are doing construction there and I know this Mr Daka.
ReplyDeleteThe experience in Zambia is one of much important memory in my life.