True Collaboration in Pemba, Zambia

On the surface, there often doesn’t seem to be many commonalities between the US volunteers on a Courts for Kids trip and the communities that partner with and host those volunteers. We may wear different clothes, and eat different foods, but if we look beyond the obvious, and dig just a bit deeper, we find that there are many more similarities than differences. Such was the case with our recent trip to Pemba, Zambia.

A group of 25 of us flew halfway around the world to meet in Lusaka, Zambia. 23 of the bags made the trip as well. We were greeted by our host and project sponsor, Chilenga. Chilenga is a teacher at the Pemba Primary School and initially applied for a court back in 2019. Like many things, the Pemba project was a casualty of the COVID pandemic in 2020, but through the tireless preparation of Chilenga and a group of community volunteers, Pemba was ready to welcome us. And what a welcome it was! Hundreds of kids met our bus by the road to usher us into the school. We were treated to local dances and poetry from the students, and gracious speeches from some of the school administrators and dignitaries from Pemba.

We wasted no time getting to work after lunch, and I think for most of us, that’s when we realized just how excited Pemba was about this project. Kids of all ages were shoveling gravel, shoveling sand, and carrying buckets. Many of the kids did it with their school backpacks still on. Bucket brigades were formed to pass sand and gravel to the mixer – not because it was a better way to move the material, but because it allowed more people to participate in the process. This was true collaboration. It was during this work, shoveling side by side or standing next to someone in the bucket line, that we were able to strike up conversations with the kids and the teachers. That was easier than you might suspect in a country that has 72 languages because most of the kids and all the adults spoke English.

The moment our mixer decided to call it quits was a defining experience in our journey. We were knee-deep in our concrete project when that trusty mixer we had relied on suddenly threw in the towel. It was a moment of collective sighs, and a few disappointed looks were exchanged amongst our teammates. But adversity has a way of revealing our true strength and resilience. Without missing a beat, we embraced the challenge, swapping out the mechanical for the manual. As the team shoveled sand and gravel, ensured we had adequate water buckets and incorporated the concrete manually, a sense of unity and determination washed over us. We encouraged one another through the tough patches, turning a mechanical setback into a testament of everyone’s unwavering commitment to the project and the community it would serve. The mixer’s inconsistencies would become a theme over the next few days, however; this illuminated the unwavering resilience the locals showed with their ‘can do’ attitude and their ability to pivot and embrace whatever setback they were faced with. A lesson I will be happy to carry home with me.

As it began to get dark, we received word that our dinner was ready for us. In full honesty, it had been quite some time since I had embarked on a task that demanded such a manual investment of labor and energy, truly somewhat humbling. It was with a true sense of satisfaction and accomplishment that we accepted our call for dinner. What a meal it turned out to be. Throughout our time here in Pemba, the local women and teachers so graciously agreed to cook for us. A standout performance for sure. These remarkable women took on the role of our culinary guides, with every bite being a celebration of their rich culture and incredible food and hospitality to boot. As bedtime approached, after a day of traveling and diving headfirst into manual labor, our bodies were calling out for some much needed rest.

Day 2

Morning came quickly. Our plan was to kick off our work on the court bright and early, intending to break for breakfast in shifts driven by our American inclination to place immense importance on productivity and our sense of efficacy in relation to measurable progress. Sam, the East African Director for Courts for Kids thoughtfully proposed a change to this strategy. He recognized the profound significance of coming together as a team for a meal, emphasizing in his subtle way the moral and strength that would be gained from sharing those moments together. The modest gains in progress from working through breakfast, although a nice strategy for moving us forward in the progress of the court, paled in comparison to the invaluable sense of camaraderie that sharing a meal would foster amongst us. What a concept it is to slow down and enjoy the company of others, something we don’t always consider back home which was a sweet reminder of the power of community. With these new plans in place, we enthusiastically made our way to the court in progress to see how much we could accomplish before breakfast.

We hit our stride today. Every trip requires some flexibility as we are figuring out our cultural differences, the rules of interactions, and generally working through the construction opportunities that always present themselves. Taking inventory of all our resources and the enormous community support, we really nailed it today and began a workflow with multiple bucket brigades which proved extremely productive and ultimately very efficient considering all our resources. Not a bad problem to have. While getting into this rhythm, this allowed us to really get to know each other, finding new partners next to us in line and really allowed us to have true conversations and connections that will last a lifetime and we really felt like we were a part of something larger than ourselves.

Each day we were given a challenge to perform that encourages us all to step outside our comfort zone and really begin to learn about the community and culture we are in. Some of us learned about the local musical instruments and medical plants, however a highlight was one of our teams having to teach the locals some form of karate. So, our team of three had the amazing idea of teaching them some of the important karate stylings of the 1984 movie Karate Kid. They ate that up, it was hilarious, and what a moment to see so many locals surrounding this group eager to learn everything they can about our culture. Priceless.

Day 4

We began our day early, tackling the remaining portion of the court. On one side, we witnessed locals skillfully crafting concrete mountains by hand, while on the other end, a combined effort of locals and our team using the mixer allowed us to swiftly complete the final sections of court. Combined effort makes very quick work and shows you when you come together what incredible things can be accomplished.

We broke for lunch, and we were treated by the local adults/teachers putting on a very special traditional dance for us. It was truly a heartwarming gesture, and their hospitality extended to an invitation for all of us to join in on the dance party, one of my favorite memories of their incredible culture. Truly a moment to be in the present.

We eagerly returned to our task of completing the remaining section of the court. With just a small pour left to finish, Selene, our fearless and very creative leader, came up with a friendly competition: a race to see who could load the mixer faster; a Zambian local or a Courts for Kids team member. The excitement was palpable as we all enthusiastically accepted the challenge, and without hesitation the competition began in earnest. Who won? Zambians may have snuck this one out. It was a fun and spirited event and now, the court was complete. What a group effort.

After a well deserved break, we had heard of his local women’s cooperative group that had harnessed their skills and talents to create beautiful crafts and goods, which they proudly sold in both local markets and the bustling city of Lusaka, Zambia’s capital. Upon reaching our destination, we were warmly greeted by the women of the collaborative. Their smiles radiated a sense of accomplishment and pride. They share with us their journey, explaining how they learned their valuable skills and honed their craft over time. These skills not only allowed them to create beautiful handmade items but to provide them with a sustainable source of income. Their work was beautiful, me personally coming home with a lovely cooking apron that I can’t wait to make use of along with some smaller makeup bags as they were the perfect gift for my friends and family back at home.

We were treated to the most wonderful dinner of local delicacies, and nshima, the staple dish of Zambians made from finely ground cornmeal, which was incredible and my favorite when they poured the delicious gravy over the top. To speak of the incredible hospitality and the desire to make our stay as wonderful as it could be, some teenage boys from the community boiled an entire drum of hot water each night, thus giving us the ability to have hot bucket showers, so we would be reminded of home. In some ways, it is funny that our American reputation precedes us, although cold showers might be on trend right now, it’s not our standard go to. However, this effort was truly kind and their desire to ensure we felt as cozy as possible, not lost on any of us. And was enormously appreciated.

Day 5

Well rested and with the court completed, the locals wanted to show us the sports court they had been using at another school in Pemba. We all strapped on our walking shoes as we heard it was a bit of a walk however, getting to play scrimmage with the locals was overwhelming exciting. Our court was still in the curing stage, so this was the perfect opportunity. So, with the hot sun lingering above us and the endless view of the red sand dirt road in front of us, we ventured on. However beautiful, it was humbling to realize this was far, like 4 miles far. A realization that without the court which we were there to build, this was a frequent if not daily venture for the young ones if they wanted a place to play ball, offered me some perspective for sure. As the locals could sense our struggle with the sun beating down on us and our pace waning, the local school bus came to rescue us.

We were picked up and escorted the remainder of the walk to the local school. We went on a tour of the local school which is top of the line in the local area. This place showed Pemba’s unwavering determination to provide education to their children, despite any number of challenges. Space may not have been a luxury, but the vibrant energy and exuberance was certainly felt, and the place was filled with laughter and hope for knowledge and a brighter future. Now, it was time for basketball. Quickly teams were developed, and a scrimmage ensued. The teams were evenly matched and although I am not sure who won this game, it didn’t really matter. Sports truly does have a way of equaling every playing field and erasing all perceived differences, it illuminates how much we all have in common in almost every way. Everyone was having a great time, and nobody wanted it to end.

They had a surprise in store for us. Our court contractor, Stanley, the local pastor had orchestrated a beautiful celebration of gratitude at his church near the Pemba school. We were swiftly brought up to this most beautiful corner of the community and were warmly welcomed with song, dance, and some gracious words. A memory I will never forget. Selene was given the opportunity to speak on our behalf and gave the most heartwarming speech that conveyed what we all were feeling – overwhelming gratitude and a true sense of community.

After the impromptu celebration, the locals wanted to give us a gift as a token of their gratitude, the community members presented us with a heartfelt offering that left an indelible mark on all of us – two adult goats. Through this shared experience, we learned that this gift was their way of fostering a sense of reciprocity and partnership. Along with this enormous gesture, they had bottled up a jar of local honey for each one of us to take home with us. So delicious. It was an exceptionally memorable celebration, in the most adorable and quaint church in the heart of Zambia.

One last surprise, we were off to a local hotspot and mini-Zambian safari and family fun center which housed the local swimming pool. We loaded up on the bus and made our way, arriving to see a bunch of emu and ostrich freely walking within the gates and amongst the people. There was a thundering sound only to witness a small pack of zebras recently spooked and zipping very closely nearby. It was a lovely gesture and swimming was totally refreshing, they brought food and cooked us a delicious meal all while we enjoyed a night ending in laughter, card games, and an that incredible African sunset. Doesn’t get much better than this.

Day 6

The court had cured enough, so this morning, the court handover and community celebration could begin. What a beautiful celebration they put forth. We were treated to local dances from the local school children of all ages, and speeches of gratitude from local dignitaries and Pemba community officials. They even had an MC of sorts. The care and organization with corn beer and even a ribbon cutting ceremony, we truly felt how impactful and loved this court will be over the coming years. It was a great culmination of a years long process that we are so grateful had finally come to be. Now, it was time for the sports clinic.

Well, the chaos ensued, lol. We broke out into teams of organizers: 2 groups for basketball, 1 group for volleyball, 1 group for American football, and 1 group for Spike Ball. So, we had 5 stations with maybe 30-40 kids per station, it was the most participation from a community that I had seen, and it was a lot of kids. They were so excited. There is no better feeling than teaching someone how to play a beloved sport from your home. They were eager and enthusiastic which made it so much fun. Although not a perfect orchestration, we were able to get a pretty healthy rotation through the stations and everyone was having a blast. We really became a part of the community at that moment and this court was going to bring them so much joy. We played until the sun went down and the goodbyes had to begin as we were off very early the next morning to make our way to Victoria Falls.

Day 7

It was a sad reality this morning, we were leaving the community we had grown so close to. The wonderful ladies made sure we had the most wonderful breakfast snacks and pastries to hold us over for the long journey to Victoria Falls. We will forever feel the warmth and hospitality this community offered us and cannot wait to hear stories and get updates on how life is going.

The moment you realize Victoria Fall’s immense power is not when you see it in its full glory, but that moment you are driving through town, and you see the plume of mist that is enormous and unlike anything you typically see when driving through a landscape. I knew at that moment we were in for something special. There is the standard entrance experience and with a large group it went quite smoothly. The first stop by the guide takes you to the most beautiful spot where a little micro-climate tends to create a powerful double rainbow. I was just astonished by how much water there was and how immense the falls were. A beautiful first look. We meandered further upstream to see the Zambeze River before it cascades into the waterfall itself, which was remarkable, as there were fisherman in the river, very close to the edge living their life as they do. For me, it was a little too close for comfort and I was happy witnessing that from afar.

I have always been a thrill seeker. Bungee Jumping though, I had a rule, too dangerous. I still don’t know what came over me. Peer pressure? Didn’t feel like it. Grandiosity of the moment? Perhaps. Victoria Falls is just that spectacular, so I agreed to join Elliot on this mission to fling ourselves off a perfectly good bridge for the anticipated adrenaline rush. I mean, when in Rome, right? I was terrified, but for some reason, there was a sense of calm. We watched a bunch of folks before us scream their way to the bottom of the canyon knowing full well we were next.

I will forever remember the moments when they were nudging us towards the platform, got to get those toes over the edge. Every fiber of your body is leaning the opposite direction, it knows this is unnatural and is shouting at you to make a better life choice. “One, two, bungee”, and with one step you are free-falling. The scream just gutturally exits your body and I remember thinking, “will we ever stop falling?”, and then, you do. We swung out and saw the beauty of where we were and what we were doing and I felt this incredible sense of gratitude for where I was, who I was with, and that the bungee didn’t break of course. Was worth it and man does that high last forever.

Day 8

With adventure at your doorstep, the mornings are always early. We awake bright and early, ready to head out to Botswana for final day. But what a day we had in store. A safari in Chobe National Park! I mean does it get any better? We began our day with a river safari, as we glided down the river, it looked so tranquil until you realized it is teaming with crocodiles everywhere and even worse, the hippo. Cute as cartoons, but deadly and surprisingly large and aggressive in real life. They seemed to be almost everywhere, not exactly a swimming hole. The diversity of the wildlife was surprising, with giraffes, and water buffalo, bird life all around us in a rainbow of colors, and those rare impala. It was something out of National Geographic.

We indulged in a hearty and delicious spread for lunch and then all snagged a safari vehicle. Energized and ready to go, we embarked on a Chobe land safari and encountered some up close wildlife moments. The elephant sightings were insane, watching a whole family saunter in front of our vehicle, or give themselves a mud bath, you can just tell how smart they are by looking in their eyes. It was breathtaking, you sense how powerful (and potentially destructive) they could be. It was like being inside a National Geographic documentary. A truly lovely end to an incredible trip.

As our incredible journey came to a close, I found myself overwhelmed with a sense of gratitude and a sense of calm. I had learned so much about myself and so much about what was missing in my life back at home. Community is greater than we all think or at least America tends to experience community a little different and I know for me, enlarging my circle and my world is a goal I intend to take home with me. The Zambian people opened their hearts and their home to us and made our experience everything that it was. To Pemba, we will miss you so much. Zambia, your country is rich in beauty, culture, and an enviable landscape that takes your breath away. You have left an indelible mark on all of us and are forever thankful for this adventure you were so kind to share with us all.

~ Jon Scott and Krista Baumgarten, Adult Volunteers

Community Members Comments

Partnering and working with CFK has totally changed my thinking and view of things in life. Have believed that planning and team work you can achieve a lot. The most joyous moment was the end of the construction and seeing community members will all the smiles, playing different games, this made me feel powerless because of the happiness in me for the dream that came true to Pemba and the touching part was arrival CFK team to my community when the bus carrying the team was entering the school, I could not hold myself and broke into tears of joy, seeing my school students celebrating welcoming the visitors. Saying goodbyes after the safari in the evening at the hotel was something which was so emotional the team showed me/community so much love.

Courts for kids has left a mark to the community of Pemba which will stand a long time and will continue change people’s lives. A lot of activities are taking place on daily basis and most people are gaining the interest in joining the team.

We are taking advantage and use the opportunity to disseminate important information for changing people lives in terms of motivational talks, enterprenural content, health etc.

~ Chilenga Mbewe, CFK community partner

“The court has great impacted to most youths and has kept them away from bad harmful things.”
~ Jasper, Pemba.

“I have learned that community partnership is very important and in working together we can do a lot. More people are learning how to play the new game in a rural community.” ~ Mooya M. Primary School teacher

“In the long run it will deter many youths from engaging in bad vice. People have appreciated the same piece of land has to be used for other games.” ~ Nteni, Engineer

“The court is an inspiration to others especially those who can’t play and those who cannot manage to play it gives them the interest to try other sporting activities in the same area as it offers others games on it.” ~ Mirriam. Community member

Quotes from US Volunteers

“It’s even more apparent than ever before how absolutely little you need to be full of joy and to share your love.” ~ Laura H.

“I learned that the world is more connected than we think. Dancing, singing, food, jokes, laughing, games, mourning, praying are seen all around the world in many beautiful forms. The trip has shown me that it is essential to human life, whether in places like America or Pemba, things like family and community are key to survival and thriving.” ~ Elliot Hunt

”What I learned about myself is that fear of the unknown has made me miss out on a lot of the more rewarding experiences in life. Coming here has been a joy and getting to see the world has given me a new perspective I have never had in America.”
~ Ben Nelson

“People are good, deep down, there are many more similarities than differences between us, regardless of skin color, gender, or religious beliefs. If you are willing to put yourself out there and be vulnerable, open up and share a little bit the reward you will receive will be phenomenal. We all have comfort zones. If we just allow a little room for new people and experiences, we might find out comfort zones are a bit bigger than we thought.” ~ Jon Scott

“My high point from this trip is seeing the smiles of the community members as we interacted with them. Especially the cooks after telling them that the food tastes good.” ~ Bryton Nesland

“What I understand more clearly now is that it is easy on a trip like this to romanticize the lives of the people we meet. We see their smiles, joy, and warm welcome but can forget the individual people behind these initial impressions. I learned from engaging with several young adults in the community that they each face the same challenges and struggles as their peers in the US- heart break, single parenthood, family separation, a yearning for a different life, and the struggle against the lure of materialism were just some of the problems I learned about. This insight helped me appreciate their full personhood more deeply.” ~ Kelly Nolen