I moved to Zambia for career growth mostly, but really to gain a different perspective.

I needed some uncertainty to challenge and propel me to make positive life changes.  A very tame down version of Yes theory and the Seek Discomfort challenges but non the less a bold action for me to take in 2021. 

From the beginning of my stay in Zambia, there were great colleagues who created an expat community and welcomed me into it. There were many dinners, meet ups and BBQs (Something I hope to take with me to Italy). There were always laughs, information sharing and companionship; I never once felt lonely.  

However I went from "Yes, let's do this!"  to "What am I doing?" 

many times throughout the year.... 

• When I was in transit and got to Addis Ababa airport and my flight said Harare and not Lusaka
• When I realized I would have to pay double what I budgeted for in rent
• When I realized how expensive things were
• When I realized my workload made it difficult for  me to keep up with my  masters studies
• When the hot water pipe burst in the bathroom at 3.00am  and I thought a bomb had gone off
• When it took a while to find a good hair salon

 I had to adapt to a new office culture and learn how to work within my new  team. It was like finding my voice and purpose again.  I wrote about some bullying that took place mid year here.   Digging deep within to keep going during that time was needed,  luckily I had previous experiences and a supportive friend with a sincere listening ear.   

The things I will miss most

• My lovely home with big screen TVs, a washing machine and a teeny-tiny pool(for the super hot days!). Btw...my home was on the cheaper end in the  area I choose to live in. 
• My friendship circle and our gatherings. I went bowling for the first time in many many years. Special mention of Latitude, Cantina, Prime Joint, Arirang Korean Restaurant, JCS Food and Indian Fusion for all the lovely lunches and  dinners. 
• My 15 minute walk to work and to the supermarket.
• Mini local adventures with Kathrine, Suraj and Maya
• Ulendo Eats mostly 3 trees, Mint Active and Eataly   were my picks for takeaways. 
• Ulendo and Yango taxis.... there were no Boda Bodas carrying humans in Lusaka and I didn't want to buy a car so this app was very convenient. 
• Nandos! (Why did you leave East Africa? I miss you already.) 
• Weekend Food markets for all the ribs, lemonade, cup cakes, cookies and biryani that I enjoyed. 
• African Butterfly Trio Dip....so addictive!
• Our honorary YES Unit, my colleagues have a fantastic sense of humor.
• Getting my nails done ...I had some serious nail game in 2022!
• Sitting in an arm chair in my bedroom drinking  my first cup of coffee of the day and watching a #kdrama or #cdrama on a Saturday morning...

I co-facilitated a workshop in Zambia this week with twenty refugee children.

The  moment I saw their internal spark come alive was during the digital storytelling session that I was leading on. 

The objective of the session was to teach the power of storytelling to influence positive change in their communities. 

It was really wonderful to watch their creativity thrive, as they tackled their projects. 

I wanted to write about this on the blog because I too am a creative at heart. 

For the last ten years of my career I have been allowed to demonstrate this through copy writing, photography, graphic design and video editing. 

I have been paid to do the very things that delighted me as a child; tell stories and make things!

I have made a professional career  doing the very things that I thought would remain hobbies for the rest of my life!

And some how over the last four years, there have been opportunities to teach children and young people to nurture these same skills that I thought were worthless when I was a mere naïve teenage! (Dear creative community, forgive me for my thoughts I was young🙈)

I am grateful.

I've  worked hard. 

I've  found joy.

Ultimately, God put me in those spaces. 

God showed me that this was possible.

I am now moving to another country to do the same....to be creative...how!?

I am so grateful.  

Thank you God for showing me that my existence and purpose is relevant. 

Thank You for showing me my place in this large and interesting world.

Sometimes I forget but You never miss an opportunity to remind me.

"The object isn't to make art, it's to be in that wonderful state which makes art inevitable." - Robert Henri