Quote of the Day :)

"Those of us that live in freedom are responsible for those who don't" - A21 Campaign

Favourites!

Hope Art Ladies. Paxina and Irene! Miss them so much already!

Being back home!

So I haven’t blogged for a while, and have actually missed it. Even though I am not in Zambia, I will still blog about updates in Zambia and what interesting things I am doing with my life.

So I have nearly been back for a month, which seems so crazy as it feels like yesterday I was in Zambia, but it most probably feels like that as I have had Bri and Rose ( Girls I lived with in Zambia ) staying with me as they had a holiday in Cape Town. Also Matt has been down here too, which has been great to have the whole household together. Seriously I can say that the friendships that I created in Zambia are lifelong friendships and actually stronger than most of my school friendships. That’s really what’s so weird being back, is that hardly anyone keeps in contact and no one really knows what’s happened to each other. Also everyone keeps saying they have created better friendships at Uni than at school. Same for me, better friendships in Zambia than at school. It might seem harsh, but it’s so true.

So what have I done since being back home? It’s been really chilled, I have done some touristy things like climbing Lion's head, going on a boat ride, eating a lot of good food. Been seeing some friends also got a job riding Friesians at a Stud farm. Then also been gyming. I have also taken the duty of being a kind of representative for Hope Art. So been talking to some stores to see if they interested in selling Hope Art. (Crossing fingers they will start selling) I also went to this incredible confernece "Colour". It’s a humanitarian conference. It was amazing!!! So life changing and inspiring. They had these two guest speakers which really influnced me. One was from Ukraine ( Vera Kasavich ) and the other was from Australia ( Christine Caine). Can’t get over how incredible they are. Truly amazing. Also I was blessed enough to be able to see my childhood hero, Ruby Wax. It was an incredible show, and seriously funny, but also had its very deep and serious moments.

Being back many people have asked me, "Are you glad you have taken a Gap Year?" Or "Do you advise taking a Gap Year?" And my answer is YES! But I always said to myself, If I take a gap year it has to be constructive. I advise a Selah year.( In the words of Bobbie Housten) It has made me become the person I really am, I am much more peaceful within myself. I know now what I want to study and am excited. Whereas last year I dreaded going to Uni, and had no idea what to study. I feel that I am living the life, and the life that many people dream of. It’s so funny when people say to me, that "you're an inspiration", or "you're my hero". It seems so odd, as I am being called all these encouraging and amazing titles, yet to me it seems so normal and it’s what I love doing. Which I know that I am super lucky to do something that I love and enjoy.

I laughed to myself yesterday when I went on to twitter for the first time in over 3 months, and my desciption of myself was "I love Nicki Minaj" and " I love Modern Family" and "I am traveling the world" It’s all so true, but now I have a better description of myself   Heart for Africa. Peace. Justice. Love. Mongu and inspired to save/help the world and its people.

So I dont have much more to say, but I can say that I miss Zambia every single moment of every single day. But I know I will go back soon:D And I can’t wait!

Seriously, Am I leaving?

I can't exactly comprehend that I am actually leaving. As I sit here at 7am today (Thursday) and look at my unpacked bag, I think about the fact that I am leaving Mongu tonight. It just doesn't seem real. At this very moment in time, I don't want to leave, as I have built amazing friendships and have grown so much it has been incredible. Of course there were times where all I wanted to be was at home. But that's normal. And yes it has been incredibly difficult. But if it was easy, then something is very wrong. I know that I will come back, but its just the fact that I wont see these people everyday, or weekly that is going to be so hard. Also I have this huge worry of being lonely when I am home. As I have been living with 4 other missionary's who I hang out all the time with all the time ( literally) , then all the other people on base, who are always around if you need someone. So you are literally never alone. So that will be very strange too. I may not sound that excited to go home, but of course I am, as I get to see my awesome Mom, my friends and be in civilization. But I feel like I am leaving this home and family and friends to see my other family and friends. Literally Mongu feels like home.

All I can say, which is awesome, and makes it easier leaving is that Bri, Rose and Matt will be in South Africa next week for 2 weeks. So I am so excited that I get to be with them in SA. It will defiately make the adjustment easier.

How we always pose for the camera!

Mongu has changed my life. The people have changed my life. This trip has changed my life. It has been amazing, but now its time to end this part of my Mongu journey. I know I will be back! I have learnt so much, but my brain is buzzing.I have made incredible friendships with the locals and all on base.. Honestly, this has been the time of my life! And an experience I will never forget.

Quote for the Day

"Try not to become a man of success but rather to become a man of value." - Albert Einstein

Ladies who inspire me :)

For the first time on Tuesday, it hit me that I am really leaving. Yes, I have always known that I am leaving, but I would say it, but not really think about it, or how I feel about it. But Tuesday I was talking with some of the Teachers and the mothers and the orphan home, and it just hit me. Because when I was talking to the teachers and they were saying how much they are going to miss me, it hit me that they in a way feel like I am deserting them. And they keep saying that they will always remember, but I will forget them. How can I forget people who have been apart of my life in Zambia? Who have taught me the most incredible things in life? Who have supported me and been the best role models? And who have been the greatest of friends? They just seem to believe that I am going to abandon them. As I believe that's how they feel about other volunteers. I mean, let me tell you, its going to be hard getting on that bus and leaving all these incredible people. And I WILL NEVER FORGET THEM.

The two mothers at the orphan home have honestly and simply touched my life. Florence and Charity, wow, possibly the hardest goodbye I am going to say. They are the kindest people I have ever met. And there is just something about them, and when I visit them, we can chat for hours and have a great laugh. They have both had seriously rough times in their lives, but constantly have a smile, and they the biggest hearts for anyone and everyone. And Ruth, my word, going to miss this little girl so much, I don't have words for it. Ruth is an orphan at the orphan home, Florence is now her mother. She is one and a half years old. She is the cutest, now I say this a lot, and about many children, but Ruth has stolen my heart!

There are the three ladies at school, that make me laugh everyday, who make me smile, who make me listen for hours when they tell stories or educate me in things that I thought I would ever hear myself talking about or half the time I have never heard of such things.

Jane who is an amazing lady who has the biggest  heart for children.She is one of the amazing school chef's. She calls me her 18th daughter. As she currently looks after 17 children, and only 4 are hers. She tells me stories everyday which always educate me and simply make me smile. She has taught me to cook all types of traditional foods. She is a total inspiration. She also does the most awesome impersonation of a crocodile swimming.

Bertha, ah this young lady has me laughing every time I am in her presence. Literally. And when she laughs I laugh even more. Bertha is a widow, she is 32 years old with 6 children. She provides everything, and her children are so intelligent and beautiful, it just shows how amazing she is as a mother to them. She has welcomed me into her house, and I feel very blessed to have got to know her whole family. Her mother Irene and her cousin Bibian are both Hope Art ladies who I absolutely adore. I told them that I was leaving in a week, and they literally were in shock and they both said to me that I cannot leave. It's simply a nice feeling. Will defiantly miss Bibian shouting TARA down the corridor at church when she arrives.

Margret, who I have worked with for the last three months has simply been incredible towards me. Never met someone who simply cares beyond all measures for anyone. She always has the most interesting theories and facts, that I never thought I would here. Such as, this was the funniest ( and not true at all) she told that if you don't eat fish, you can become albino. Ah!!. And simply we always have a great laugh together.

Then the other two Hope Art Ladies, Paxina and Ireen.These two ladies I have only recently met, but have been exceptionally kind to me. Paxina is teaching me how to sew in the last few days that I am here, and Ireen simply puts a smile on my face. Love these ladies!

Just a little moment for the day. Which made me tear up. Little Ruth from the orphan house fell asleep on me in church today during worship and was leaning her head on my cheek. Then when the service started she past out on my lap. Okay, I simply just adore this child.