Zamultimate

My longest running tradition in Zambia has been playing ultimate frisbee. On one of my first days here, my predecessor at KF brought me to a game. I was terrible. Couldn't throw it straight, no hand-eye coordination, all I could do was run. Despite the shot to the ego, I wanted to keep going. And I did, twice a week for three years. What brought me back was the people. Even at my worst, I always felt welcome. They were always willing to teach me and I learned, eventually becoming a pusher of ultimate on all future new people. Zamultimate has been all sorts of things to me, from friend network to professional connector to plain old fun exercise. I will try to carry the spirit on to future games in other places.

(Last game)

KF Reunion

Sometimes timing just works out perfectly. In this case, I couldn't have planned a better way for me to say goodbye to the KF students and staff, the people who originally brought me to Zambia.

The new PiAf Fellow at KF, Olivia, invited me to the annual KF reunion which happened to fall on my second to last weekend in the country. Almost every current student and alumni was there, from the first class, now three years out of school, to the new Grade 8's. For the entire day I sat there with a grin plastered on my face, listening to the students run the show. The older classes presented on topics of their choice. Many talked about the opportunities and struggles they've been finding in their first years at university. Others discussed questions they've experienced about their religious beliefs while living in other cultures abroad. Japhet, pursuing a career in IT, showed us a very complex way to reset your password if you get completely locked out of your computer. One after another they exuded a well-spoken confidence, a passion for their topic, and a real love for the KF program and the students still in it. I couldn't have been happier to be there, to see how far many of them have come, and to imagine a very bright future for them and the ever-growing Kucetekela Foundation network.

 Abram presenting to a full house

 Current students and alumni

Japhet hacking computers

 Team challenge from ALA: tallest tower out of candy, spaghetti, string and tape

Soon there'll be too many to fit in one shot

 Goodbyes

Martinho, my mentee, who has just left to attend Earth University in Costa Rica

Olivia, the new Fellow, three generations on

Florence, my former boss and ED of KF