In August I’m going out to Zambia for 3 months with a charity called Dignity as part of a small team. We'll be staying in the copper belt region of Northern Zambia and dividing our time between a big town called Chingola and the rural bush communities. 

Villagers in Zambia live short and difficult lives.  They possess remarkable levels of endurance and can be happy in terrible situations. However, survival is a constant challenge with limited crop yields and either basic or non-existent access to primary healthcare.

During our recent visit to some rural parts of Zambia, we encountered a number of cultural attitudes that if changed, could transform their way of life. In particular we discovered that there was a real and understandable desire to ‘get rich’. When you combine this with a ‘survival of the fittest’ mentality, it leaves anyone who is too old, too young or unhealthy in anyway, struggling by themselves.

However, if we can help transform the mindset of a few people into a more Christian ‘love thy neighbour’ ethos, communities could begin to work together by helping one another and giving selflessly. In this way entire communities could be transformed.

We have realised though, that the best people to reach Zambian villagers are the Zambian people themselves! With this in mind we're going there to identify, recruit, train and send out a group of people who can go into the villages, with our help at first, but then by themselves. By working with the villagers regularly and persistently we and the recruited team can develop the relationships necessary to help build their confidence and encourage them to work together to change their situation.

Once the team is recruited, they will need some very practical help in working out how the project can be self-sufficient and sustainable (i.e. not relying on funds from the west!). Working out where they live and how they support themselves will be my main role within the team. We hope to do this in two ways. Firstly by providing methods of self support, such as a trade or co-operative. Secondly we will combine this with providing enough infrastructure for them to do their job. For example, providing a bicycle helps considerably with the work in the rural areas. With our help, these people will be empowered to make a difference.

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